Restoring the History of an Older Home

Many older homes are overflowing with charm, character, and history. When it comes to renovating an older home there are many things to consider before getting started. Do you wish to preserve the history of your home or do you want to modernize and update? Fortunately, both can be achieved without destroying the integrity of your homes history. Because many traditional designs and uses of the home just don't work today you may consider modernizing your old home. Here are some tips on creating a space that is historically accurate, but offers just enough modern amenities for the average homeowner.

Before beginning any renovations on an older home, there are many things to think about. First of all, improvements could take several months to several years and may be costly. Make sure you get estimates on the length of time it will take to finish the work and exactly how much it's going to cost. By not figuring out these things ahead of time you could run into trouble after you've started your renovations. By planning ahead you can make be sure you will have enough money and time to get the job done right. Restoring an older home so that it's historically correct both inside and out can be a time consuming, labor intensive, and expensive task.

Maintaining Historical Accuracy
If your home has been declared a historical landmark, or you want it to be there are certainly guidelines you will have to follow. Check with your local historical society to obtain permits and for guidelines concerning color and architecture. Preserving the features of your older home is especially important when renovating and any work done should match what's already there. When renovating an older home, and you want to preserve or restore the history of the home it is best to work with experts and professionals. Hire an architect, designer, and contractor that has experience restoring and preserving older homes for the best results.

Working with a group of professionals is the only way to properly maintain the history of your home. If you want to modernize and update certain features an expert will be able to help you pick out materials, furniture, and designs that match the original decor and style. Other than preserving the historical details, the hardest part of renovating an older home may be repairing and supporting the original structure. Often, older homes need to be leveled, floors and walls may have to removed and replaced, and electric, gas, and sewage lines may need to be updated. In any older home renovations you should be prepared both with time and money to face these challenges.

Research
Research is the most important factor determining whether your renovation will be historically accurate. If you don't do research you will not know what details in and out of the home are original. Often with older homes, there may have been additions and construction over the years. Much of the work may not be correct for the time period in which the home was built. Begin your research by contacting your local or state historical society for information related to your specific time period. If the home has been declared a historical landmark you will be able to get a wealth of information from the historical society or homeowners association, as well as guidelines for what you can and cannot do. The public library is also a great place to look up information about the era. Learn as much about the times as possible to get a clear picture of what life would have been like.

Even interior design details can be researched. The exterior of each home also tells a lot about the time in which is was built. Learn about the different types of architecture used in the neighborhood. Older structures often require certain features that make them historically correct and this differs from home to home, and from town to town. A seaside cape is going to look much different than a country brick home. For the best interpretation of your older homes appearance try contacting the original owners or family members.

The original owner or members of their family may be able to provide you with photographs that depict the home when it was new. These types of photographs can be extremely helpful when renovating the outside of the home. If you manage to find someone related to the original owners tell them what you are doing and why you need the pictures. Most people are happy to help and are glad to see their family home restored to its original condition.

Demolition
During demolition you may find termite damage, insect or rodent infestations, rot or decay in wood structures, sinking foundations, warped beams or supports, water damage, and possibly more. When it comes to renovating and older home it pays to be prepared for the unexpected. When planning your budget, try to include some extra funds on the side in case you need more money as the project progresses. Take care of each problem as it occurs to ensure the finished product is safe and remains beautiful for years. Ignoring problems and not fixing them could lead to worse problems that could possibly endanger people and your personal property.

Always take your time during the demolition process and don't rush it. If you rush the contractor they may accidentally ruin details that cannot be replaced, or will be costly to reproduce. Lots of items like fixtures and knobs can either be professionally restored or replaced with newer materials. When it comes to brass and porcelain it is best to keep the original but have it freshened up by an expert because many of the pieces cannot be reproduced. Design details like trim, glass, and tile can easily be replaced with newer materials that match the existing features of the home.

Decor That Fits
Part of renovating an older home may include redecorating in a style that is historically accurate. This is where the designer has the most input and they should be able to guide you into choosing the proper furnishings. Redecorating in period style takes some careful consideration and well thought out budget. Antiques are not cheap and by the time one room is finished you may have spent $10,000 but it is all well worth the cost if you want the home to portray a certain era. Auctions are a great way to get a lot of antiques without spending so much money. When buying from an antique dealer you automatically pay more because they're charging you for their services. Check your local newspaper, under the public notices section to find out when estate or public auctions are happening near you.

Fixtures, knobs, switches, and wall plates can either be updated with new materials and some things may be refinished. Brass and porcelain are easy to restore and there are many professional services to help you. Thanks to large chain home improvements stores you can also buy replicated items that are made to look like they are old, and at half the price of the real thing. Chandeliers and some other lighting can be dusted off, cleaned up, polished, and made to look new without having to replace them. Stained glass should be cleaned and repaired when necessary because it is very expensive to replace.

When it comes to paint and wallpaper if you want it to look right it has to match the time period. Your designer can help you with color palettes, wall paper prints, and applications. The same thing also goes for flooring. If the original floors are in decent condition have them professionally refinished. Both wood and tile floors can be restored to their once shinning glory. Windows can be updated too and although much has changed over the last century, many of the designs are still the same. You can modernize the windows in the home with something new and energy efficient without compromising the historical integrity. Andersen and Pella have a huge range of design choices when it comes to windows all made to flow seamlessly with your designs.

Keeping the inside and outside of the home historically accurate can be a painstaking process that takes a lot of time, research, and money. By working with professionals you will be able to modernize the home with new appliances, furniture, room expansions, wiring, and plumbing and all of the work will be done correctly. Hiring a group of professionals also ensures the historical integrity of the home is not lost during renovations. With the help of an architect, builder, and designer you will be able to come up with a plan that suits your needs and helps preserve the home for future generations.