Sustainable improvements that every period house needs

As skyscrapers get higher and higher, one might think that it’s everyone’s dream to own a posh apartment in the middle of the city. And yet, period homes have not lost their value. On the contrary, they still have an irresistible appeal and many people consider them to be the perfect investment, especially after retirement. Old properties built in the last century or the one before that have an incontestable beauty, but they do require a lot of remodeling and improvement. If you are the owner of such property, your mission is to preserve its original architectural style, while at the same time repairing the damage that it has suffered over the decades, and adding more functionality. Here are some of the ways in which you can do this:

Home insulation – the key to lower energy bills

Period homes are not insulated, so they have many cracks in areas such as doors, windows, basement and attic. Heat escapes through these tiny tracks, which gives that chilly, drafty feeling in the winter. That’s also one of the reasons why period homes are humid and mouldy too. Houses built in the past aren’t insulated because energy efficiency wasn’t a concern back then. People would use fire to stay warm, not heating appliances, so bills weren’t an issue. Now, however, old homes must be improved to match the lifestyle of the 21^st century. Since period homes are usually very large, with tall, spacious rooms, heating appliances need to work at maximum capacity to keep the air warm. Home insulation is the most effective way of preventing heat transfer and, apart from increasing comfort, it also reduces energy bills considerably. You can even save up to 50% every month, which means that the project pays for itself in a couple of months. If comfort and energy savings don’t convince you to insulate, then remember that noise pollution will also be reduced and that the value of the property will increase. Extra tip: when insulating, don’t focus just on windows and walls. Attic and basement insulation are just as important and they can save you a lot of money.

Repair old windows and doors, don’t replace them

When improving a period house, you want to preserve the architectural elements specific to its age and style. And what better example than windows? Not only do old windows look incredible, but they have historical value, so replacing them completely would mean reducing the value of the property. Instead, you should try to preserve what you can and replace only some window components to save energy. If the original window frame cannot be restored in any way, then buy a new one, but pay attention to choosing the design and check local regulations and guidelines regarding period home restoration.

Invest in roof repairs

Along with windows, roofs are another important architectural design element in old houses and they should be preserved as much as possible. Make it your mission to repair the roof prior to moving into the house, because if there are any leaks, your furniture, ceilings and walls could be affected. You should hire a specialist in roofing repairs, because small leaks are very difficult to spot by a non-professional. Don’t forget to check the integrity of roof chimneys too, because that is another structural flaw in period houses.

Restoring hardwood floors

Laminate floors may be the most popular flooring option today thanks to their low cost and easy maintenance, but you won’t find them in old, period houses, which have classic hardwood floors. Don’t be tempted to replace them; old hardwood floors are surprisingly durable and they pass the test of time. Instead, apply a new layer of floor varnish, lacquer or oil to add shine.

Why are all these improvements worth it?

All these projects add up to a considerable amount, so why you should invest in them?

®    Increase home comfort

®    Fix common issues that could cause structural damage to the property

®    Save energy and money

®    Improve the look of the period house without damaging its original design

®    Increase resale value

Who should deal with these repairs?

If you’re ready to get started and give your period home a facelift, then the first thing you should do is look for a contractor that specializes in period home restoration. Old homes are different, not only in terms of structure, but also in terms of design and you don’t want to alter any of the two.