Old Home Reconstruction Mistakes to Avoid: Part II

Old Home Reconstruction and Renovation

Last time, we presented the first four old home reconstruction mistakes that the owners of older houses make. These common building issues should be taken step by step to fully achieve renovating an old home. Historic house reconstruction presents its own unique needs.

Mistakes in old home remodeling can be avoided with awareness and planning. You’ll avoid common pitfalls and major issues in historic reconstruction with our tips for old home reconstruction. Here is the continuation of our top remodeling mistakes.

Mistake 5: Historic home reconstruction environmental hazards

Asbestos and lead paint are the two most common reconstruction environmental dangers in old homes. Builders used asbestos most extensively from the 1950s to the 1980s. They used lead-based paint most widely in historic houses built from the 1880s to the 1920s. While both hazards occur outside those ranges (lead paint was used until 1978), old houses built during those time periods deserve heightened concern. You could eliminate asbestos, lead-based paint and any other environmental hazard from the material it is adhered. Or you could get rid of the entire material the hazard is adhered to. But often during an old home reconstruction your best and most affordable bet is to encapsulate.

Asbestos and lead paint reconstruction in old houses is tricky, and the professionals are best for your time, money, and safety. They will have the equipment, tools, and gear needed for a full old home reconstruction. Feel free to call us today to deal with lead paint and asbestos in old home renovation.

Mistake 6: Not maximizing your historic home’s energy efficiency

Old homes leak a lot. This is one of the main reasons for historic home renovation. Air leakage due to drafts may be the biggest challenge to energy efficiency. Sante Property Damage Reconstruction has seen building and old homes renovation where the energy use is lowered 50% to 60%. When investing in historic home reconstruction, take the opportunity to update systems and insulate fully.

A blower-door test, which uses a large, high-powered fan to depressurize a home and reveal air infiltration, is the best way to identify leakage areas. Closed-cell foam works well on older home reconstruction. It reduces air infiltration, helps to keep out moisture, and unlike other insulation, does not absorb the moisture that does get in.

Old home reconstruction questions? Sante Property Damage Reconstruction is available to help. Feel free to call us anytime at (844) 254-1480.  

Mistake 7: Don’t just replace, repair old homes

Consider renovating more than just the windows in an old home’s reconstruction. Custom mantels, hand-blown glass, and hand-built doors and hardware all showcase character that cannot be replicated. Think about renovating them as well. These elements lend integrity to an old home’s remodeling project.

It’s not always architectural beauty that needs to drive remodeling decisions during building reconstruction. Outdated systems, such as electrical knob-and-tube wiring, can, when inspected for safety, function with perfect adequacy in certain situations. Above all, resist the temptation to replace materials because of minor imperfections. During historic home renovation, you will find faults that are actually history. Leaving these flaws in place helps to tell the home’s story.

Mistake 8: Ignoring an old home’s reconstruction assets

If your home is older or historic, you have two valuable opportunities to re-purpose space, neither of which requires expanding your house or the building envelope. First, century old homes renovations often have rooms that are obsolete for modern living. Examples are formal living rooms and dining rooms. During your building reconstruction you can creatively re-purpose such rooms for modern living. Turn that formal living room into a children’s playroom or a craft room. Second, your old home renovation may have claimable space in the attic and basement. Perhaps the attic transforms into a new bedroom. You may upgrade the basement into a family room. Always think creatively about old house reconstruction.

Mistake 9: Missing your chance to create a better historic home remodel

If your historic home renovation is due to disaster, you can take your building reconstruction and turn it into opportunity. You may be tempted to just get your old home back and functioning as fast and affordably you can. Take a moment and pause. Think about the renovation projects you have always wanted to do. Can you make it more suitable for the needs of your family without spending a lot of money? Often you can. Fix those energy issues so you save costs later and help the environment. Renovate and repair an older home to the dream you’ve always had.

Upgrade the electrical if your home’s electrical system is old or not capability of handling all your power needs. Get rid of a cheap feature if you can replace it with something of higher quality that you’ll enjoy and will add value to your home.

House disasters are terrible and personal. Old home reconstruction and renovation can be just the opposite. Ask the professionals at Sante Property Damage Reconstruction. Large or small, we can handle all your remodeling and historic home renovation needs today!

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Old and Historic Home Contractors

Sante Property Damage Reconstruction
100 Peters Road
Suite B
Bloomfield, CT 06002

Call (844) 254-1480

Business Hours: 24/7