A Guide to Transforming Your Period Home

Getting hold of a home that’s full of period features can be an extremely exciting move for any home buyer. Period features often have a unique elegance that it is hard to replicate with modern materials. Their special charm makes them incredibly desirable, and particularly fun to renovate if you have the funds to do so. If you have a period home that’s in need of a bit of a refresh, here a few things to consider.

Be careful with DIY

If you’re planning to transform part of your period home by yourself, be extremely careful with delicate and fragile old features. It’s known that delicate fabrics can be incredibly susceptible to damage, and going at them with amateur DIY skills could result in you paying more in the long-run as you may have to shell out for an expert to make the repairs for you.

Don’t be afraid to change the windows

If your home has authentic wooden windows, such as sash windows, you might be reluctant or scared to swap them out for newer models. However, there’s no need to be wary of replacing wooden frame windows, as there are plenty of exact replicas on the market that you can swap in – without having to compromise with plastic. Contacting a company such as Timber Windows Direct could help you find the windows you’re seeking. Moreover, a manufacturer that can provide double-glazed period windows will allow you to enjoy the aesthetic benefits of windows that look the part, and the modern benefit of cancelling out noise pollution and keeping heat indoors.

Old floors require special treatment

Hopefully, you may have become wise to the fact that if you want to keep ancient floorboards intact, you may not be able to get the under-floor heating you’ve been dreaming of. If you’ve stripped and sanded floors before, that’s brilliant – and it could save you a lot of money. However, if your house is particularly old, you may wish to bring in an expert to make sure you won’t be splashing them with harmful chemicals.

Be open-minded about quirks

Many people who have bought period houses have been faced with the problem, or opportunity, of quirks. Some house owners have decided to embrace any quirks that don’t pose a threat to the home’s inhabitants. Seeing design quirks as an opportunity to bring out the home’s character, rather than a flaw that should be eradicated, will allow you to create a house that’s like no-one else’s on your street. Of course, just be mindful that some quirks might be the sign of structural damage and the need for further work, so do enlist the help of a professional to assess this.

Transforming a period home isn’t necessarily cheap, but it can be hugely rewarding. Learning how to bring out the best features and be bold with aspects that need to go can teach you a huge amount about property value and interior design. Taking your time and being patient are the best two qualities to have when you’re dealing with a potentially delicate but equally sturdy property.