Which features to keep and which ones to replace on a historic home
One of the biggest mistakes people make when renovating an older home is implementing trendy improvements rather than timeless ones. Repairs and updates should remain true to the house’s era. Here are eight tips for remodeling a historic residence while preserving many of its original details.
Make conservative structural changes
Some older homes will have structural issues to address, such as rotting wood or a leaky roof. It’s wise to make a list of the pros and cons of gutting versus tearing down certain features before completing those renovations. If you do have to eliminate something, you can still save a few original features like windows, floorboards and doors to maintain the house’s historic character.
Use caution when modernizing the bathroom and kitchen
Bathrooms and kitchens are two of the most popular areas to renovate in historic homes. However, it’s best to be conservative when deciding which features to replace and which ones to preserve. Before updating these two rooms, research the style of those rooms when the house was built to see which historical features you can keep and which ones can be updated for modern convenience.
Properly update plumbing and electrical systems
Older homes often have outdated plumbing and electrical systems, which can present a safety hazard for you and your family. Updating the plumbing and bringing the electrical wiring up to code can also help protect your house from structural damage that results from plumbing or electrical issues.
Keep original walls
As tempting as it might be to knock down walls to open up the floor plan, it’s often wise to leave walls alone. Many people regret eliminating “extra” walls later, when they realize they miss the original floor plan. To avoid this mistake, live in the house for six months before deciding whether to tear down any walls.
Keep cabinets
If the older home has solid wood cabinets that could use a facelift, consider stripping and refinishing the wood rather than replacing the units. Modern cabinets are usually composed of medium-density fiberboard or melamine, which are less moisture-resistant. Not only will the solid wood units last longer, but keeping them in place will preserve the house’s original cabinetry style.
Refinish sinks and tubs
It’s common for homeowners to swap out old sinks and tubs for brand-new ones. Not only is this modification costly, but it can also clash with the historic style of the home. Refinishing a porcelain tub is often significantly cheaper than installing a new one.
Repair windows
Some homeowners ditch original windows because they’ve been poorly maintained or have leaks. However, these features play a key role in maintaining the house’s historic value. Instead of getting rid of the original windows, repair them and add weatherstripping so they work more effectively. Another option is to replace the windows with storm windows that align with the house’s era.
Save wood floors
Another common faux pas is removing old wood floors or covering them with modern tiling or carpet. Preserve the historical accuracy of the home and save some cash by refinishing the original wood floors. If there are damaged sections of flooring, replace just those sections. By implementing these eight strategies, you can enjoy adding contemporary comforts to your older home while retaining some of its original style.
Five Star Bank is here to help you manage the financial side of your home remodeling project with solutions for your mortgage and home equity needs.
Serving the communities of Western New York.
Find your local Five Star Bank offices.