Historic Homes: Bringing Them Back To Life

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By Beth Anne Brink-Cox, House and Home Feature Writer

Homeowners usually fall into two basic categories: those who like to build from the ground up (that would be my parents) and those who like the history of old houses and prefer to restore as much as possible (that would be me.)

There are pros and cons either way, of course. When you’re dealing with an old home, there’s the possibility of materials no longer deemed safe–lead paint, asbestos–and other things that simply need to be brought up to current codes, such as wiring and heating.

Historic Homes bringing them back to life

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Todd Zeiger, director of the Northern Regional offices of Indiana Landmarks Foundation, has a special fondness for old homes too. He said, “Renovating starts with what you have, and analysis is the extra step. It adds a layer of process not found in construction of new homes, because you’re determining what you want to keep of the historic design and materials, and what needs to go away. That analysis determines what needs to be updated for safety.” But he went on to say that, “The fear is usually more pronounced than the reality. Yes, there are still times you’ll come across unsafe materials from bygone days, but that’s only sometimes, not every time. Approach with knowledge and information; asbestos is easy to figure out, and the abatement process isn’t all that cumbersome. It’s not like it hasn’t been done before. Electrical and plumbing must be up to code, and that’s where you bring in qualified workers to walk you through.”

In Zeiger’s opinion, as others would agree, there is much to be said, investment-wise, for buying an old house with good bones. Even if you’re doing a lot of renovating, the old materials may well be better–solid wood in the cabinetry instead of particle and composite board, for example. And old cabinets, if solid and well made, can be refreshed with new doors and hardware. Zeiger also said, “Plaster is a great wall surface; it’s durable, repairable, and much more resistant to damage than drywall. Tile is recommended for bathrooms for its water resistance and there are a lot of very good vintage looking products on the market.” It’s true too that old chandeliers are usually crystal, where a lot of today’s similar styles are glass, and the difference is quite visible even in the most beautiful designs.

Personal taste and style is exactly that, but if you’ve invested in a historic home simply with the intent to flip it, it’s important to work with the existing details rather than switch it up to modern styles. Zeiger explained, “People who like historic homes aren’t going to want to see them modernized, because if that’s what they wanted, that’s the style they’d be looking for. Keep the character standpoint intact; it’s less expensive and has already stood the test of time.”

But what if you do need or want to combine old styles as well as new? Are there ways to do that which will showcase the charm of both? Zeiger said yes. “Wall colors, like paint, or wallpaper, is one way to freshen it a bit.” Light fixtures, doors and trims are more expensive, though if you have good sources of recycled materials they needn’t be. This is important with bathroom fixtures, too; today’s hardware may not fit your antique sink or tub.

Wood floors and rugs may be a better bet than carpeting. My own parents won a low bid on old gym flooring when a YMCA was being torn down, and the costs of solvents and finishes to remove many layers of paint cost less than the least expensive hardwood flooring; the blonde maple, when refinished and installed, was one of the most beautiful features of the home they built. You might want to make regular rounds at the salvage yards and shops!

Zeiger said you should never try to make an old house something it’s not, nor should you completely ignore the original design. “An old house will cost less and have a longer life span; I wouldn’t recommend gutting it and starting over. Just build something new, if that’s your taste.” I asked him if there were home shows devoted strictly to old homes, something maybe in tandem with a Parade of Historic Homes. “No,” he said, ‘but that would be a good idea, wouldn’t it?”

What about the exteriors? Zeiger said that alternative siding is not recommended. “Maintenance free is overstated; aluminum siding can fade and vinyl can crack and break.” Good paint jobs will show the detailing of your exteriors as they were originally intended, such as the Painted Ladies so popular in certain areas.

And don’t forget to document this interesting journey with lots of photographs, illustrating your story and preserving the memories. n

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