Why go to the extra trouble, and perhaps additional expense, to restore an older house? Everyone feels guilty throwing a cans or bottles into the trash. We feel better when we recycle! Wouldn’t it be nice if we felt the same responsibility before sending all historic plaster and lath and moldings to the dump? Think of restoration as the ultimate recycling.
If you are a homebuyer considering conducting historic restoration efforts yourself, or if you think you may hire professionals, be sure to research the many options available to resolve issues. Take into serious consideration options that do less damage to the original historic features. What happens on many projects is often more renovation than restoration. Completely gutting an interior for modern systems or removing walls to create open floor plans is not restoration. The essence of restoration is flexibility and creativity.
It is important to understand the difference between efforts that reflect restoration versus remodeling, rehabilitation, or renovation. As you make informed decisions, you will find that preserving the historic value is often a more valuable option than replacing elements with something new. Be sure to understand what you may be losing as well as what you may be gaining.
Why go to the extra trouble to restore an older home? Because restoration is the ultimate recycling effort, and with it you will preserve the architectural integrity of not only the home, but also the neighborhood, and the community.
To have a closer look at historic and other homes for sale in Salisbury and Rowan County North Carolina, contact Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846. The choice is yours to purchase a fully restored gem or to take on a restoration project of your own.
300 W. Horah Street, before and after restoration. This home is for sale. |
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