Buying or inheriting a house with a history can feel like a wonderful opportunity to make something new of something old. Many older houses come with a classic sense of style, like complex interior woodwork, skylights, rustic brick, and more. But all that character can sometimes, at best, come with complications or at worst with a need for serious renovations. And while updating an older home to fit modern sensibilities can be tricky, here’s a few simple tips to walking that fine line.
Keeping the Correct Look
Unless you’re a hardcore home and architecture enthusiast, you may not be aware that there are several different styles of homes, based on time period, location, and the preferences of the original owner. One of the best ways to enhance the natural character of your older home is to understand what style of home it is, and to do your best to follow that aesthetic, especially on the exterior.
Brace Yourself for Heating Costs
Older homes can often have issues with proper insulation, especially around doors and windows. Renovating these areas without compromising the historical value or overall look of the home can require a specialized contractor. Investing instead in alternate heating or cooling systems that take advantage of any pre existing chimneys, flues, or etc in the house may be a better option than stripping and renovating all the exterior walls and windows, but will depend on the specific house.
Consider Custom Options
Often, the measurements on various interior locations can be different than the usual standard. In those cases, custom interior or exterior doors from a specialized woodworking company can help match the proportions and overall look of the original doorways and openings. Stairs and closets might also be a little non-standard, so in general be prepared to work around the specific architecture of the home before you purchase furniture.