Renovating your period home can breathe new life into its storied walls, enhancing both function and market value. However, many homeowners worry that updating their home’s utilities and aesthetics might strip away its unique historical essence.
Period-type homes are amongst some of the most desirable properties in the US, so it’s only natural that you want to preserve its character while maximizing its functionality. By using these tips, homeowners can successfully blend modern conveniences with historical charm, ensuring that renovations enhance rather than erase the unique personality of their period homes.
What Counts as A Period Feature in Your Home
Period features are elements of a home that define its architectural and historical context. These may include original floorboards, crown moldings, sash windows, ornate fireplaces, and even the layout of rooms. Features such as these are staples of Victorian home design and can be key indicators for determining when a property was built.
When renovating, it’s important to first identify these features to understand which elements should be preserved or carefully updated. Proper preservation ensures that future generations can appreciate the craftsmanship and can contribute to the market value of a property.
Stay Up to Date with Health and Safety Rules
Health and safety regulations can significantly influence the renovation of period homes, especially when dealing with structures that may contain hazardous materials like lead paint or asbestos. It’s crucial to stay informed about local building codes and heritage preservation requirements.
Ensuring compliance not only protects you and your construction team but also ensures that any modifications uphold the integrity of your home’s historical value. Common defects in period homes include bowing walls, subsidence, and rising dampness, all of which are a nightmare for homeowners. Your best bet is to follow health and safety protocols to prevent structural deficiencies.
There may be incidences where you want to keep original features, but they don’t comply with relevant building regulations, such as period doors not meeting modern fire door standards. You may have to compromise here as occupant safety is something that should never be sacrificed.
Be sure to announce any structural issues when applying for insurance for your period property.
The Importance of Using the Right Equipment and Safety Gear
Using the appropriate tools and hardware is essential when working on a period home to avoid damage to irreplaceable elements. It’s equally important to use safety gear to protect against potential hazards inherent in older buildings.
For example, during the removal or restoration of original features, specialized equipment that can gently handle aged materials is crucial. This approach not only ensures the safety of the workers but also helps preserve the unique attributes of the home.
