How To Restore Historic & Old Heritage Buildings

By Author: National Monuments Foundation
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The idea of conservation of historic buildings and heritage buildings is similar to how it sounds. It is the process of bringing forgotten buildings back to life. Restoration, as opposed to rehabilitation, preservation, or reconstruction, emphasizes the time period of the building while removing other periods. Many people believe that restoring a historic building is simple. Cleaning and cosmetic repairs are only part of the process.

Can You Renovate a Historic Building? What is Involved in Restoring a Building?
A heritage building can be renovated, but it will take time, effort, and research. Architects, like physicians, must first diagnose the problem before recommending a treatment. If the project calls for the restoration of old buildings rather than rehabilitation or reconstruction, it must consider what was present at the time of the building's construction, code compliance, construction means and methods, and accurately representing its relevant features.

What are Key Factors That Need to Be Taken Into Consideration When Choosing to Restore a Historic Building
Maintaining a building's original ...
... character and structure, adhering to historic building restoration code and regulations, and ensuring materials and methods are appropriate for the time period are all important considerations when restoring historic buildings. Additionally, local, state, and federal historic preservation boards must be contacted in order for their rules, regulations, and guidelines to be incorporated.

Maintaining Original Character & Structure
There is frequently a desire to modernize the restoration of old buildings. A true-to-character historic restoration, on the other hand, will include preserving the building's structural/form and character. Furthermore, when an element or aspect requires attention, proper historic restoration should prioritize repair over replacement. If a replacement is required, the new piece should strive to be as close to the original as possible in texture, material, design, color, size, and features. Consider the neighborhood and its people. Many historic and heritage structures have a rich history of architectural and design elements that are no longer present. Conduct research on the building and the surrounding community. Was there anything noteworthy? What was the neighborhood famous for? Did these structures have any notable or distinguishing features? Were they built in a particular way that set them apart from others?

Ensuring Your Restorations of Old Buildings are Up to Code
Your building, like many other architecture and construction projects, must be code compliant. Historic buildings must adhere to their own set of rules and regulations. If you are not already an expert on the subject, you should hire or consult with historic building restoration companies and architects. It will save you time, money, and headaches to seek expert advice from those who have already overcome similar challenges.

Maintaining the Material & Method Integrity
The entire renovation of a heritage building must be authentic to the period in which it was built. Materials, spaces, features, and methodologies must all be kept and preserved. Historic structures serve as museums or historical evidence/documentation of a specific time period. The time period you are emulating should be compatible with and distinguishable from your work.

Steps on How To Restore Historic Buildings
Conduct Research: We are preserving a piece of history, so thorough research is required.

Conduct Proper Documentation: Throughout the process, documentation is essential. Whether you're working with us, another firm, or on your own, it's critical to properly document what's already there as well as what you're adding. Historic restoration focuses on preserving the period's integrity in as many ways as possible while not adding features that were not originally present.

Hire Historic Building Restoration Companies & Architects: Before diving headfirst into a restoration project, keep historic regulation codes, features, and architectural features in mind. Engage the services of an expert building historical restoration architecture company or an expert building restoration architect.

The National Monuments Foundation creates and rebuilds historic landmarks of cultural, civic, social, and national relevance. Please visit www.thenmf.org.