Alan Tierney
While Geraldine and John Whittaker thought that renovating their 18th century property would simply involve cosmetic updates, they soon realised that structural work would be needed. Years of moisture damage from its seaside position meant the walls needed a dampproof membrane and the floor joists were so rotted that they had to be replaced. Not put off by the challenge, the couple persevered with the project and worked hard to respectfully restore the house’s original features. The result is a striking period property that benefits from careful attention to detail throughout
COLIN POOLE
The value of a heritage house is always intrinsically linked to its character and historic interest. In fact, research has recently shown that property prices are up to 50% more than the regional average in areas with the highest proportion of heritage buildings. So it stands to reason that the primary focus of any project on a period home should be on protecting and, where possible, enhancing those inherent qualities. So what areas of an older house are key to its market worth and how can you tackle updates without disrupting its distinctive allure?
Unique character
Much of what is special about an old building is tied up in a multitude of small details, often seemingly insignificant in themselves. But paying careful attention to these by enhancing or reinstating them (where possible) will help to add value. Conversely, if you fail to maintain sufficient focus on this myriad of features, you may end up damaging the character, charm and value of the house. The key is to tailor your plans to the building, rather than forcing it to adapt to you.
It isn’t just the character of a house that holds its value – the nature of the surroundings is important, too. This could include other properties of a similar vintage and architectural interest and, although there’s not much you can do about the wider setting of your house, you can add value by paying careful attention to the exterior of your property. This means that any decisions you make about altering the immediate vicinity (outbuildings, landscaping, gates, boundaries, driveways etc) should aim to complement its heritage.
Packing more insulation into the roof of your house could be a way of boosting its energy efficiency. Here, Earthwool by Knauf Insulation is being installed