Pages

Friday 13 June 2014

Tips on Restoring Character Homes

A character home may need considerable upkeep every now and then to preserve its unique quality and retain its functionality. While a lot of Vancouver houses for sale are ready for teardown, character homes typically only need little tweaks to keep their antique features intact and to spruce up parts where time has taken a visible toll.<br>
Here are some restoration tips to consider:<br>
Update the utilities.
Hire licensed electricians, plumbers, and contractors to rewire, repair, and (in some cases) replace the home’s utilities. These professionals will make sure that your home’s electricity lines, plumbing, and HVAC are all in line with current building codes even while the home’s historic details are left untouched. You can also bring in new appliances to improve functionality.<br>
Patch up the roof.
Authentic roofs like Spanish or slate tile roofs have life expectancies of 100 years or more. Look for roofers who specialize in these materials and other aspects of character home restoration.<br>
Weather-strip the windows.
Save your windows, especially wooden ones. The materials used for the windows of character homes are usually highly durable. Instead of replacing them completely, see whether weather-stripping or caulking can make the windows more energy-efficient and versatile.<br>
Be patient when painting.
Gently clean the walls and other surfaces with natural cleansers. Removing the existing layers of paint can be time-consuming, so be patient. Make sure that you don’t damage the decades-old patina of the paint in the process. Repaint with colors that closely resemble the originals.

No comments:

Post a Comment