3 Tips for a Successful Historic Home Restoration

Restoring an historic home has its own unique challenges. With most restoration projects, the goal is to strike a good balance between preserving its history without compromising structural integrity. In today’s post, local custom home builders J Bryant Boyd Architect Design-Build shares tips on making your historic home restoration a success.

Review the House’s History

Take the time to review the house’s history: who lived in it, what important events occurred there and if either has historical significance. Such events in history can be a point of reference in terms how you want to approach your house restoration project. You might, for example, want to replicate the color palette, decor and furniture of the time. If the house has multiple historical milestones, you probably wouldn’t want to mix and match elements from different events.

Know the Difference Between Restoration and Rehabilitation

Restoration involves returning both interior and interior to a particular time period, while rehabilitation is making use of an existing structure by converting it into something useful while keeping important historic and architectural features.

Strict restorations are rare for homes because original components are difficult or too costly to obtain, or because it just isn’t practical to do so. Design build firms tasked with restoring a home wouldn’t recommend installing an entry door made from untreated wood — or one that’s made with an endangered species like rosewood — but would approximate the same with treated wood and wood stains. In contrast, a rehabilitated building would feature an insulated steel door with faux-wood outer layer.

Pay Attention to Detail

Restoration projects are not as forgiving as most other types of renovation work. As the homeowner, you have to scrutinize components and make sure they are as close as you can get to the original. You’ll also want to retain as much of the original structure as possible, making sure that changes do not destroy or alter historically significant features.

J Bryant Boyd Architect Design-Build is the area’s leading provider of remodeling and build-on-your-lot services. Give us a call at (512) 930-1686. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve clients in Georgetown, TX, and the surrounding communities in Texas.