5 Sound Pieces of Advice for Renovating the Exterior of a Heritage Home

5 Sound Pieces of Advice for Renovating the Exterior of a Heritage Home

Renovating an ancestral home can be a delicate operation. What will you find behind the walls? What will the state of the electric wiring and plumbing be? Such questions are just as relevant when it comes to this type of residence’s exterior components, especially concerning what methods should be employed to maintain the property’s architectural character.

Heritage buildings often have unique features such as cornices, cedar shingle facing, ornate porch posts, spiral staircases, traditional carpentry techniques or ornate woodwork. Exterior siding materials can be discontinued, making it difficult to match repairs to the year of construction. But it is still possible!

To maximize our chances of success, we must go step by step, and coming up with a game plan before starting the renovation work is a wise decision.

1— Take Proper Precautions

It may be that some of your property’s original building materials or methods do not meet today’s standards: for example, in the past paint often contained large amounts of lead, insulation was made with asbestos, or pyrite was left concealed behind layers of concrete. Renovating without taking proper safety precautions — wearing gloves or masks — can be harmful. 

2— Preserve What is Already There

Components in good condition should be left in place to avoid any unpleasant surprises while the work is going on. For example, if you want to change the windows — which is a great idea for a more energy-efficient home — it’s better opt for the original model if you can find it. If this is not possible, at least buy windows in the same dimensions to keep the existing window frames.

3— Avoid Buying Materials that Are Too Modern

In order to preserve your property’s character, it is important not to add too many contemporary elements. The old would clash with the new and the home could decline in value. Although it is difficult to find identical materials, a few specialized companies as well as professionals can help you. For example, if replacing exterior posts, you could ask a cabinetmaker to reproduce them using traditional techniques.

4— Call On Qualified Experts for the More Sensitive Tasks

Major renovations often require experts in their respective fields. By hiring specialists, you can avoid mistakes (and regrets!). You must take far more precautions when renovating an old home than you would a modern house. For example, did you know that the building must be protected from inclement weather during construction?

Professional services may be necessary if a stone or brick wall needs to be repointed (to strengthen the building’s structural integrity). It is a job for which attention to detail and experience are essential. The same is true of exterior painting: stripping off old paint is a painstaking task.

5— Check Your Municipality’s Bylaws

Is your home a municipally listed heritage building? If this is the case, you may be subject to certain rules when it comes to renovation. Preserving architectural features and original materials are especially important when working on a patrimonial property. It’s a big commitment for the homeowners. But people who take on the mantle of caring for ancestral homes are often very enthusiastic about history and feel great pride in maintaining their residence according to best practices.

 

If you are passionate about heritage homes and want to be able to carry out impeccable renovations, you can register for a course at Héritage Montréal. Go check it out!

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.