What is the attraction of owning or living in an old house?
Houses mean very different things to
different people. To some a house is just shelter, a place to eat and
sleep. To others, a house is an investment, a place to live while it
increases in value. To yet others, it is a symbol of their social
status, proof of their success. So what do old houses mean to
their owners? To some extent that depends of the type of
house. An old farmhouse can convey images of simpler times, of
wholesome living, and of a close connection to nature. Old townhouses are
more likely to play the status game, with hints of faded grandeur or past
glories. Country mansions speak of old money and prestige, while
old Victorian terraced houses belie a history of regularity and coziness.
But what motivates someone to want to own
one of these properties? As Architects with Grade 1 Conservation
Accreditation we commonly find ourselves engaged to work on the repair and
extension of old houses. During the initial discussions with prospective
clients it is very important to understand just how far they are prepared to go
to maintain the identity and authenticity of the property that they have just
purchased. We often ask them if they are “Old House People”?
We're hoping to find out if they are
tuned in to all of the things that an old building has to offer, and if they
are willing to accept the obsolescence of some aspects of the property, and to
engage in the regular maintenance that is a common requirement of their
ownership.
Have they noticed the quality of the
light coming in through old wavy glass, casting shadows across rich
mouldings. Have they picked up on the layers of subtle and not so subtle
changes that previous owners have added as they lived out their
lives? Have they stopped to appreciate the mature trees and
heirloom flowers that might be growing in the garden, and just how long it has
taken for those plants to become established and to look like they’ve always been there. And have
they noticed how the brick and stone have weathered and softened in their
appearance, taking on that
character-giving rich patina of age? Do they have that Old
House Feeling?
When a prospective client asks us to
survey the property they are considering purchasing, we try to call attention
to the many features that might be hidden behind later alterations,
suffering from neglect, obscured by overgrown
vegetation. We can usually see past the current appearance,
and appreciate what the property offers. And we then do
our best to make sure that the new owner doesn’t overlook these things, in a
rush to modernise the property and put
their own stamp on it.
Some building elements are particularly
important to the appearance and feel of a period
property. The design and detail of timber doors and
windows are probably the most obvious, and they should be carefully repaired
and maintained.
The substitution of natural slate roofing
and cast iron rainwater goods with cheaper materials almost always damages the
appearance of the property, and the new substitutes will never give the long
life of the original materials.
Old brick and stone masonry develops a
lovely rich patina as it ages and weathers. Great care should be taken
when renewing pointing or replacing damaged stones or bricks.
Aggressive cleaning should be avoided, and natural lime mortars and renders
should be used instead of portland cement products.
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