Altering the Look of Your Historic House

Altering the Look of Your Historic House

Living in a neighborhood full of historic old homes can be a unique and interesting experience, as the architecture and history of the residences have a special story to tell. The neighborhoods are often well-kept, with wide sidewalk and tree-lined streets giving a warm and neighborly vibe to the area. However, the one downfall of owning a historic home may be the limitations you encounter whenever you are attempting to redesign any part of the home. In fact, many historic home renovations are limited by neighborhood conventions and historical designations.

Checking Your Options

One way to avoid the headache of limited home improvements is through full disclosure prior to purchasing the home. You might be so excited about the age and history of the home that you fail to understand the possible restrictions you may face when attempting to modernize or make the space more convenient. Some of the designations on historical home renovations might just be targeted toward structural and exterior changes, but you might find you are prohibited from adding additional bathrooms.

Common Areas of Contention

In an older home, the roof is going to be a prime area of concern. You may not be able to replace an aging wooden shingle roof with asphalt shingles. This will impact the cost of the renovation, and it could be more difficult to source the correct materials or labors for the job. Replacing windows also need to remain accurate to the time period or look of the neighborhood. There are two concerns with this. First, it can be difficult to find windows that imitate the current look of the residence. Secondly, the windows of large old homes can be quite drafty, making the home more difficult to hear and increase energy costs.

Always check with the historical board before considering any historical home renovations. This will keep you from spending money on materials or labor for a project that may be denied by the board members.