Whether you’re interested in taking on a large-scale refurb or a small renovation, when dealing with a period home you need to fully understand its conditions, characteristics and what you can do to it. Alan Tierney reveals what to look out for

Alan Tierney

R enovating an old property can be one of the most rewarding ways to create an individual home packed with character – but before you start, you need to be sure the building can withstand the kind of scheme you want to undertake. Here are some key elements to consider prior to putting your cash into a project.

Check its breathable performance If your house was built before 1919, it’s likely to have been made using very different methods and materials to those that are available today. Pre- 1919, popular construction products were stone, timber, lime, earth and clay, all of which are generally soft and permeable. Unlike modern materials, which are designed to keep moisture out of the building envelope, these traditional components readily soak moisture up from their surroundings and facilitate its evaporation. A good balance between absorption and evaporation prevents the building fabric from becoming damp. This is referred to as breathability.

Above: The now owners of this property in Tooting, south west London, noticed a deflection at the top of one of the external walls when they first viewed the property. The damage was caused by World War II bombing. The solution was to tie all the walls to the more stable flank wall. There was also damp at the front of the property that had to be chemically treated

Above: Architects Van Ellen & Sheryn were instructed to renovate an abandoned farmhouse and rundown barn in Dartmoor, plus build an extension to link the two structures together and create a family home. Part of the design brief was to restore as many original period features as possible including the original brick fireplace, which was uncovered and fixed up to reinstate traditional character. The total project cost came to £750,000