4 Tips For Remodeling Your Historic Home’s Bathroom for Function While Preserving Historical Significance

Owning an historic home has its appeal and charm, but it also has its challenges.

Older homes have many quirks that sometimes make them less-than-functional for your modern needs. There is no place this rings more true than in the bathroom.

A bathroom is usually the smallest room in the house, but serves the most purpose. It’s where you get ready for your day, and decompress in the evening, and everything in between, so it needs to be in working order.

Dealing with an older home means working with older pipes and fixtures that, over time, have worn down and need replacing. Not to mention older wallpaper and flooring that have gotten dingy or damaged with age.

You bought the home because you loved all its unique aspects, inside and out. So how do you restore function while preserving historical significance?

Research Your Home

Take some time to research your specific home. What is its historical significance? What are the features that need to stay in the final remodel?

A little research will go a long way in helping you maintain historical accuracy.

Know the names of things that will need replacing or fixing. It helps to have specific names for obscure historical objects you are looking to replace.

Find the Right Contractor

If you want to retain historical accuracy, you can’t hire just any contractor. You will need someone who specializes in historic homes. This type of contractor will be familiar with the regulations regarding historic homes in your jurisdiction, as well as the challenges that may be faced.

If you live in an historic district, your neighbors may be able to make recommendations. You can also visit local historic sites, as they likely have connections to reputable builders.

Locate the Right Materials

Locating period-specific materials could prove difficult. Your contractor, neighbors, or historic sites may be able to recommend a few places to find less common pieces.

Hard-to-find items and materials may require a little creativity. If it is something that is not visible, such as subfloor or other structural aspects,  you may not have to replace it with exact materials. This gives you the opportunity to install something more durable. Check your local laws before moving forward.

Follow the Rules

Historic districts have rules about what can and cannot be done in an historic home. It is very important to adhere to these regulations. Your contractor should be familiar with these laws, taking the guesswork out of the remodel.

You should still be familiar with these laws yourself. Tread carefully, and if you are not sure about something, it is always best to contact your district’s homeowners association to double check.

Historic Restoration in Maryland & Pennsylvania

Restore your historic home back to its former glory! At Irvine Construction, we have extensive knowledge and experience restoring and renovating older homes in Maryland and Pennsylvania. We understand how important it is to have a fully-functioning home that maintains historical significance. Contact us to set up a no-cost initial consultation!