Victorian architecture came about around 1850 and continued into the early twentieth century. This type of architecture is characterized by distinct details including steeply pitched roofs with irregular angles, decoratively laid shingles, a front facing gable in most cases and bay windows which break up the facade. When planning a renovation, experts recommend that you instead think of this project as preservation and begin by researching the exact type of home that you have purchased i.e. Second Empire, Queen Anne, Stick, Shingle or Richardsonian Romanesque.
Hiring a Contractor
Hiring the appropriate contractor is of the utmost importance when preserving an historic Victorian style home. Seek a contractor who has experience in these types of restoration and preservation. A local historic preservation society may be able to help you locate someone who has experience in preservation. Talk with neighbors who have Victorian style homes where the house is located. They may be a quick an easy resource in finding someone how is both knowledgeable and dependable.
Budget and Timeline
Preserving and renovating an historic home can be expensive. Plan for your budget before diving into the project. If you have not purchased the home, it is a good idea to have a structural engineer and contractor who specialize in preservation look at the home and provide an estimate of the cost of renovation. This may prevent you from purchasing a home that will end up being a money pit. Older homes are more likely to have structural, electrical and plumbing issues that can affect a renovation budget as well as your utility budget down the road. Also, the contractor may need special tools and products that are more expensive if he has to repair copper plumbing, plaster walls, heating, cooling and electrical systems.
Renovating Victorian Homes
Historical homes can end up looking like museums if you renovate strictly by the book. If this is your taste, that is fine. However, many preservationists have adopted more lenient codes of renovation. You can incorporate colors of the period, without making your home unsellable down the line. Many paint manufacturers have historic color palettes that offer a variety of neutral colors that are more suitable to today's modern tastes. In addition, many preservationists now realize the value of incorporating green concepts in renovation projects. Renovating drafty windows to energy efficient windows, installing energy efficient heating and cooling, no-tank water heaters and low flush toilets can improve utility bills by hundreds even thousands of dollars while making your home more comfortable.
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