Older homes are built differently from modern ones, and treating them like a new build is one of the most common – and most expensive – renovation mistakes. Understanding how a period house works lets you modernise it while keeping what makes it special.
Old houses need to breathe
Most houses built before around 1919 have solid walls made of brick or stone bedded in lime mortar. These walls take on moisture and release it again; they rely on being able to dry out. When they are covered in modern, impermeable materials, the moisture is trapped and the result is damp, decaying timber and failing plaster.
- Repoint with lime mortar, not hard cement mortar, which traps water and makes the bricks or stone crumble instead of the joints.
- Avoid cement render and impermeable masonry paint on solid walls; lime render and breathable mineral paints let the wall dry.
- Use lime plaster for repairs to old internal walls where possible.
- Fix the cause of damp first – blocked gutters, high ground levels against the wall or leaking pipes are often the real culprits.
Repair before you replace
Original features add character and value. Timber sash windows can usually be repaired, draught-proofed and fitted with secondary glazing rather than replaced. Original doors, floorboards, fireplaces, cornices and skirtings are worth saving – and where pieces are missing, matching reclaimed or replica features can be sourced.
Listed buildings and conservation areas
- If your home is listed, you need listed building consent for works that affect its character – inside or out. Carrying out such works without consent is a criminal offence.
- In a conservation area, permitted development rights are more limited and some councils restrict changes such as windows and doors through Article 4 directions.
Upgrading comfort sensitively
- Insulate lofts and suspended timber floors with breathable materials.
- Draught-proof windows and doors – one of the most effective and least invasive upgrades.
- Plan new services routes carefully to avoid cutting through original features.
We specialise in older properties
We restore older properties with careful attention to detail, sourcing period features and keeping the original character wherever possible. Tell us about your home.
