Tips for Renovating an Old House

Sometimes, renovating an old house may seem like a Sisyphean task. Yet, with the right planning and a satisfactory budget, the results can be impressive. Below, we demonstrate that it is possible to transform an old house into a comfortable home, provided with all the modern amenities, yet still preserving a classical charm.

The stages of a renovation project for an old house

The order of stages in renovating an old house can vary depending on the purpose of the modernization, the state of the building, and the available resources. Based on the buildings’ condition, some stages may be excluded from your project. However, this is a standard approach:

• construction inspection and assessment

To identify any problems or damage that need attention and repair. This assessment can be completed by an architect or a construction engineer.

• setting up a renovation scheme for the old house

Based on the initial assessment, it is essential to come up with a detailed renovation scheme, including a budget, plus a list of all the necessary works.

• obtaining the necessary permits

To renovate an old house, you will need to obtain an urban planning certificate and a building permit from the Town Hall. The old houses classified as heritage houses must comply with Law No. 422/2001, on the protection of historical monuments. This implies that, for any financial support granted by the Government/local authorities, you can compensate the total/partial cost for studies and technical documentation, necessary to assess the condition of the historical monument, and also the costs of the works to be carried out on it.

• settlement of shallow foundations

This is an essential stage in the renovation project of an old house. It is necessary when the foundation is damaged or is no longer load-bearing.

Sometimes, a couple of repairments to the foundation may be sufficient, but when the foundation is unstable or no longer load-bearing, or if the ground level has changed over time due to natural causes, a settlement by underpinning may be necessary.

If the house is built directly on the ground, it may be necessary to add a concrete foundation. The settlement of the foundation is essential when you plan to add an attic to your house.

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• rehabilitation of walls and roof

During the renovation process, the exterior walls and the roof are reinforced only after completing the settlement of shallow foundations.

• interior renovation of the space

Next, we modify the distribution of rooms, spaces, and interior walls, to meet your needs and preferences. You can turn the porch into a living room, the dormer into a kitchen, or, on the contrary, you can open a hallway to reconfigure it into a terrace.

• insulate the walls and roof with mineral wool/polystyrene

• replacing/adding plumbing and electrical installations

You can give up the gas installation if you decide to keep using the traditional stoves or install a heat pump.

• repainting windows and doors

An constant issue with old house renovations is the heat loss through windows.

• finishing floors and walls

Choosing the right materials and colors can completely transform the look of your home, and provide a comfortable and beautiful setting. Nevertheless, try to keep the house’s initial features (windows, decorations, stoves, etc.). Thus, you will preserve its unique and classic charm.

• the old house decoration project

Ideas for finishing an old house

An old house renovation project can be an opportunity to use your creativity and experiment with many finishes, to obtain a special and genuine interior and exterior design. Here are some recommendations: finishes to inspire your old house renovation project.

§  traditional materials such as wood or natural stone will convey a classic and authentic feel to an old house. The decorative brick, and tumbled travertine, but mainly natural stone, whether travertine, granite, marble, or limestone, are one of the best choices of interior or exterior finishes for a home with a historical vibe.

§  unique design elements of the original building, such as ornamental stuccowork and traditional woodwork, will underline the beauty of an old home. If possible, refurbish them, to be further used in the project. If, on the other hand, you need to close off a doorway with drywall. you can set up a library on the site, or you can clad the area with a special natural stone. For this, we recommend an amazing travertine mosaic, a material that replicates the look of an osier willow tree, thanks to the vertical layout.

H2 Tips for landscaping the backyard of an old house

A house renovation also includes backyard landscaping, based on your needs and preferences. Here are some tips to inspire you:

§  create an outdoor seating area, by using wooden or polygonal stone cladded outdoor furniture. Install a garden barbecue or garden oven, and add garden steps for a relaxed ambience, without hiding the entirely green grass.

§  if you don't have much space and you want to host parties or have kids ride their tricycle there, it is best to replace the flower or vegetable garden with flower stands, either made from travertine

As beautiful and rewarding as renovating an old house can be, be prepared for working hard. That's why we recommend hiring reliable experts, besides setting up an emergency budget, just in case. Also, keep in mind the site/building context for such renovation projects. This includes people, landscapes, places, and stories. Good luck!