Older properties often hide an abundance of original features, many of which have been covered up, boarded over or hidden away as newer, more modern alternatives emerged. But we now appreciate the value of original features and work to restore them to their former glory.
Reclaiming brickwork
Brickwork gets dirty over time and loses its natural colour, becoming coated in grime and pollution. Cleaning the bricks is a fast way to restore the look of the property and this is fine as long as the bricks and mortar are in good condition.
Any loose mortar or bricks should be professionally replaced as moisture ingress can cause damp inside the property. If the brickwork has been painted, you’ll need to assess the condition of the bricks before attempting to restore them, as paint can cause damage to the brick face.
Mouldings
Ornate mouldings are found in many period homes but these have often been covered over in an attempt to modernise or simplify the look of the property. Today, many people embrace these elaborate Victorian decorative features and work to restore them.
The mouldings include ceiling roses, coving, picture and dado rails as well as deep and detailed skirting boards. Where possible, restoring the original features is preferable. However, many mouldings will have been plastered over or covered in distemper paint. In these cases, replacement by similar modern replicas may be necessary.
Fireplace
One of the most common period features to be covered up is the fireplace. As more modern heating systems became popular, many homeowners simply boarded up their fireplaces and put a modern gas fire in its place.
If you’re lucky enough to open up a fireplace in your period home, it will add a huge amount of character to the room and the property as a whole. Remember, you’ll need to conform to Building Regulations and meet all necessary safety criteria if you wish to fit a new fire.
Victorian tiles
If you own a Victorian property, there’s a chance you may uncover original tiles, either inside the house or outside on the path. Quite often, these tiles will have been hidden underneath carpet, lino or even ceramic tiles, only to be discovered during renovation or refurbishment works.
It’s important to use a professional tile doctor to deal with such discoveries to preserve them in the best possible condition. Most require deep cleaning, repairs and a fresh, protective seal. However, the results are often stunning and another piece of history has been saved and restored.
Timber floors
One of the most popular restoration projects in UK homes involves wooden flooring. There’s no doubt that these floors exude character and charm as well as bringing a warmth and homeliness to a period property. There is also the authenticity of having wooden floorboards in an older style home.
The natural aesthetic of real timber flooring is unmatched and impossible to replicate fully, so most people who encounter original boards do try to restore them to their former condition. Remember to replace any damaged parts of the floor with as close to the original as possible.