Solutions and Improvements for Older Homes
If you own an older home, certain areas may be in need of repair. For this reason, you should make a general analysis of the situation and, from here, discover the available solutions and improvements for older homes.
Roofs, walls, and floors are the infrastructures that suffer the most over the years. Equally, pipework, electrics, and home appliances may also need attention. With continued use, these parts and structures can become worn, damaged, or fall into disrepair.
So, what’s the best way to begin? Ideally, you should tackle the root problem first and make the necessary changes. By doing this, your home won’t fall into further disrepair and you’ll ensure it’s in the best possible condition.
The roof: make sure it’s strong and durable
The main thing that we ask of a roof is that it’s resistant. Inclement weather can cause a continuous deterioration that, in the long term, generates leaks, dampness, and lets in the cold. Torrential rain, snow, or a storm can make this situation much worse.
If your roof is in poor condition, it’s essential that you focus on the necessary repairs immediately. Older homes often have simple roofs with tiles that are easily dislodged or ineffective. Furthermore, they don’t have the appropriate features to provide internal protection.
In this case, it’s good practice to install insulating and waterproofing materials to prevent the entry of water. Equally, fixed and correctly inclined tiles will avoid any greater evils. By taking action, you’ll achieve a much higher level of protection and, above all, free yourself from worries.
Older homes: a new look for your walls
When it comes to walls, older homes often incorporate materials such as adobe, concrete, or stone. They’re undoubtedly long-lasting and effective, but the infrastructure can be refined for greater security. Let’s see four ways to improve the wall structure in your older home:
- Concrete has been and will always be an efficient material that offers strength, endurance and durability. If it’s necessary to tear down one wall and replace it with another, concrete is a great option. However, if you can reuse what’s already built, it can be a good opportunity to save time and money.
- As for removing old paint and repainting the wall, the old paint can easily be removed and replaced with new. In fact, today there are paints that offer insulation and protection against the cold and damp.
- Oftentimes, the walls of old houses have an archaic appearance that’s interesting for decoration. You can continue to use existing materials by reinforcing them and working with what you already have.
- Moisture stains appear disproportionately when the materials are no longer in good condition. The best solution is to find the appropriate products and apply them to sensitive and at-risk areas.
The firmness of the floor
Flooring should be firm and durable. Older homes can have both wood and ceramic flooring. Generally, the first option requires more maintenance than ceramic floors, although you can combine both materials.
The weathered appearance wood can provide aesthetic appeal. To create this, it’s necessary to seal it completely and polish the surface to achieve a refined finish. By doing this, you’ll also protect it adequately.
Check the appearance of your flooring and assess whether it’s in good condition or if it needs to be changed. The best recommendation is to try to reuse it whenever possible.
Older homes: your furniture
What can you do with furniture in older homes? Keep in mind that if it’s restored, it can be a very interesting decorative piece, but you should also know that if this procedure isn’t possible, it’s best to replace it with an updated look.
There’s always the option of treating wooden furniture and painting it or reupholstering it to offer another appearance. Ultimately, if you need to give your older home a facelift, the image that you want to portray is in your hands.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
Poggi, Francesco: Reformar la vivienda, De Vecchi, 2016.