As the owner of a custom design-build company, my goal is simple – I want you to love everything about your home. The way it looks, the way it feels, the way it works for your lifestyle and meets the changing needs of your family.
Restoring an old home is no easy task. There’s a lot to it, and it takes a certain careful touch to ensure that everything is done properly. While the challenges are definitely present, the results that come from successfully restoring an old home are truly second to none.
At Thomas Buckborough & Associates, we love a good restoration project! Especially when it’s paired with a modern twist. That’s why we’re putting this article together to talk about some of the best restoration tips we’ve learned over the years!
Review Your Home’s History
Before getting started on a restoration project, look into the history of your home. Every home has a story to tell, and many of them have undergone quite a bit throughout their life. Some homes may have been refurbished or remodeled in the past, and it’s important to know before you go into a project so that you know how best to handle your own remodeling project.
Understand Maintenance Cycles
Maintaining parts of your home like the roof, siding, windows, and other areas require you to keep a schedule. Siding and roofing will need to be replaced every few years to ensure that your home is well taken care of and that there is no water damage to the property’s structure. In some cases, older homes need new roofs and siding before you can start looking at restoring the interior. In these cases, you must work with a contractor who can help you get the job done right.
Choose Your Approach
After you understand the history of the home and where the home is in regards to the maintenance cycle, you’ll start approaching the restoration project. There are two different ways that you can approach the restoration of an old house. Here they are and their differences.
Renovating
Renovating is like rehabilitating a home. It’s simple, really; if you’re renovating your home, you’re taking what’s already there and sprucing it up so that it seems new again. An example of renovating would be repainting cabinets or refinishing hardwood floors.
Remodeling
When you choose to remodel your home, the structure can take more dramatic turns. This could mean knocking down a wall, adding new floors, building on to the house, or adding rooms. A remodeling project can be as small or simple as a bathroom or as complex as a large addition to the home.
Color Can Add A Lot
The color of a room can enhance the feel and mood of a home, as well as the value and overall design aesthetics. Before thinking too much about all of the different changes you want to make to your old house, consider how valuable a color change might be.
Save and Celebrate
Save and celebrate isn’t about saving money. It’s about saving portions of your old house. Things like brick walls, murals, and fireplaces are all elements commonly associated with old houses. Take advantage of these things and choose to save and celebrate some of them within the design of your newly updated house.
Ensure Everything is Insulated
Wood windows, among other materials such as roofing and siding from older homes, often last for years. In many cases, these items do not need to be replaced and instead just need to be insulated better so as to maintain efficiency. It’s important, no matter the project you’re working that you insulate the property to the best of your ability.
Projects Can Evolve
When you go into a restoration project, you’ll need to take into account that these projects can evolve as they go on. You’ll be bringing an old house back to life, and by doing so, you might find some setbacks along the way. If your home restoration project is to be successful, you’ll want to be ready for some changes throughout the progression.
Are you looking to restore your old home? TB&A can help! Reach out to us today to learn more about some of the projects we’ve completed and how we can help you take your home to the next level.