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The following Frequently Asked Questions define some of the most important issues about old houses. It's often said that the only dumb question is the one you don't ask. Well, these questions, by definition, are the very opposite. They come up every time people talk about old houses.

WHY BOTHER TO RESTORE OLD HOUSES?

Because they have so much to tell us about our past, social customs, interior and exterior decoration of their period, architecture and the history of building technology. Old houses are the antiques in which we live and should be cherished and appreciated for their very special qualities. Restoring an old house will not only give you a nice, warm inner glow but can also put a lot of money in your pocket. Houses that have been faithfully restored command premium prices in the real estate market.

IS IT OK TO USE MODERN MATERIALS IN OLD HOUSES?

Yes and no: it depends on what you're talking about. If it means replacing the original timber windows with modern metal-framed windows the answer is no. If it means crafting new parts for a timber window to carefully restore the damaged or decayed original the answer is yes. Keep as much of the original fabric of a building as possible.

 ISN'T RESTORING EXPENSIVE?

Not necessarily. It won't cost any more to use the appropriate materials in the appropriate way than it does to use the wrong materials in the wrong way. Sometimes second-hand materials, such as doors, windows and bathroom fittings are not only much cheaper than their new equivalents but are also of better quality and more suitable. Hiring tradespeople yourself and supervising them is another way to economise, although many people prefer to engage a builder or architect to take charge of the whole job. You may also acquire funding from home improvement loans to help finance work on your house.

 DOES EVERY OLD HOUSE NEED TO BE RESTORED?

A large number of old houses, perhaps the majority, has been subject to changes which have altered their original form and character. In many cases, a significant number of minor changes has been made which dilute the original character of the building. Whoever said 'God is in the details' could have been speaking about old houses. The reinstatement of original details can make an enormous difference to a building. Some old houses have sustained very little alteration and require what might be called enlightened maintenance. There are an even smaller number of extremely rare buildings which are completely original - right down to the interior decoration, fabrics and furniture.

 IS IT WRONG TO MAKE MAJOR CHANGES TO OLD HOUSES?

Old houses have always been changed and always will be. If changes are made in the manner and with the materials of the original structure, with respect for a building's place in the streetscape, then there is no reason for complaint. We do need 'house museums', with buildings preserved as if in aspic and open for public inspection. These serve to tell us about our past in a way that the written word can never achieve but the vast majority of old houses have to earn their keep in today's world by providing shelter for people.

 MY HOUSE IS NOT VERY GRAND SO I SUPPOSE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT I DO TO IT?

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that only the grand houses of the rich and famous are important. Cottages are just as interesting as any mansion and often a great deal more comfortable to live in. They are easy and inexpensive to restore and it's astonishing how an old cottage will shine with the right sort of care and attention.

 BUT SURELY YOU CAN'T GET THE TRADESMEN OR THE MATERIALS THAT YOU NEED?

You do have to watch what's going on. But often if you tell your tradespeople exactly what you want and explain why it's important to do things in a certain way they will cooperate and become very enthusiastic. The most important thing for the owner is to know as much as possible about their house and its period and to understand the principles of conservation. To give a very simple example, don't let your tradespeople use modern screws or obviously modern hardware in a Victorian building. A lot of traditional hardware has been reproduced and is readily available. But some people still prefer to use old fittings as they have the patina of age.

 WHAT SORT OF DETAILS ARE IMPORTANT?

The things that you need to pay attention to include some of the following: the design of the front fence, garden design and planting, interior and exterior hardware and light fittings, windows, doors and other joinery, exterior decorative features such as cast ironwork or fretwork, exterior colour schemes and interior decoration, including colour schemes, stencilling and wall and ceiling papers, soft furnishings and fabrics. And, of course, you can furnish some or all of the house with the appropriate period furniture.

WHY KEEP OLD WALLPAPER OR STENCILLED DECORATION IF YOU FIND IT IN AN OLD HOUSE?

Original decoration is a very important record of the culture of its period. It's also very rare today, particularly if we consider Victorian or Edwardian decoration. Decoration tells us a lot about the people who lived in a house and about the society in which they lived. If it's faded, dirty or damaged do what you can to enhance its appearance: dirt can often be removed by washing with warm water and a soft soap or with a rubber. But be prepared to accept that fading is part of the ageing process. An old house should look its age.

THE MORTAR IS CRUMBLING AND FALLING OUT FROM BETWEEN THE STONEWORK (OR BRICKWORK) OF MY OLD HOUSE. IS IT OK IF I PATCH IT UP WITH CEMENT?

No! If the mortar's crumbling it's because it's doing its job. It sounds crazy but that's what it's there for! Old houses were constructed with soft lime mortars which tend to crumble in time. Mortar should always be softer than the brick or stone of a wall in order to allow the building to absorb movement, and to carry away any moisture that finds its way into the walls. Damp will always follow the path of least resistance as it evaporates. Damp from the ground carries harmful salts which crystalise as they reach the air. These crystals expand as they form and can flake away the surface of brick or stonework. But they do very much less harm if they cause mortar to crumble. Replace it with soft lime mortar, using a traditional recipe, and your old house will be much better off than if you were to use a modern, hard cement mortar.

I SUPPOSE IT'S OK TO COPY NICE DETAILS OFF OTHER HOUSES TO MAKE MY HOUSE MORE INTERESTING?

Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. Be faithful to the original appearance of your old house and don't try to turn it into something that it was never meant to be. Try to find old family photographs to find out what it was really like before you make any decisions about changing the present appearance of the building. You may be surprised to find how many changes there have been.

BUT WHAT ABOUT KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS?

A traditional bathroom in, for example, a house of the early twentieth century is as functional as any modern bathroom. As for the kitchen, it's possible to retain original character while still incorporating everything that people expect in the way of modern appliances. You don't have to wear Victorian clothes and think Victorian thoughts just because you live in a Victorian house.

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The drawings of old houses are copyright: © Ian Stapleton, 1997
The text & the list of restoration products and services is copyrighted by © Ian Evans 2011