Age is not the only thing that makes a building historical. The traditional materials and craftsmanship in the original construction of your historical building are an essential part of its historical fabric. Preserving its architectural integrity can only be done by using the same traditional materials and craftsmanship that made your building what it is …
PART 3, THE FINAL PIECE IN THIS 3-PART SERIES of working on your old home explores using a good design. Using a good design refers to integrating additions, renovations, or even new construction into your historical building, not necessarily “copying” historical architecture contemporaneous to your building’s era. It simply needs to integrate with the historical …
PART 1 OF THIS SERIES of working on your old home explores options for property owners to save the home’s historically relevant aspects specific to when and how it was built, versus mixing time periods and styles. Maintaining your home’s historical relevance necessitates preservation and restoration tactics that honor the home’s appropriate time period. If …
Historical buildings and houses are artifacts of the past, a visible connection to our history, and require a certain level of care beyond the basic seasonal maintenance you would perform on a newer home or building – inspecting the roof, cleaning the gutters, exterior repairs to damage caused by weather and age, as well as …
The Importance of Maintaining Your Historical House Read More »
Typically, on homes built in the mid-1800’s until the early 1900’s, the most unexpected maintenance problem deals with the internal gutter system. This is because the problem is hidden until the failure has begun. However, regular inspection and maintenance can catch the problem before it is too late, and damage is done. First, I bet …
Historical buildings were built when neither advancements in technology nor construction technology was in abundant supply. Early designers made the most of building materials and design options to construct buildings with a powerful combination of harnessed natural resources and innovative design that worked together to maximize energy efficiency. Everything from exterior paint colors, locations of …
Despite all the recent wintery weather, spring is officially here. With its arrival, homeowners turn their attention to maintenance projects – including exterior painting. While seemingly harmless, painting a historical home carries a surprising significant risk of damage. The National Park Service’s Preservation Brief #10: Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork notes: Because paint removal …
Susan Dippre from Susan Dippre Designs joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss how working at Colonial Williamsburg combined her love of history and landscaping. She has recently begun her own company to provide the general public with Williamsburg inspired designs from natural materials. Contact information: dippresusan@gmail.com Williamsburg Farmers Market Bio: Susan Dippre began her …
2019 April Newsletter 2012 December Newsletter 2013 December Newsletter 2014 August Newsletter Beaux Arts Wilmington Public Library Insulated Glass Window Testing 2014 December Newsletter Colonial Christmas 2015 January Newsletter Hearth History Fire Places Chimneys Franklin Street Station Project Development Historic Review Process Historic Porches Harris-Cameron Mansion January 2016 Newsletter Preservation Primer-2 Kitchen Design Custom Kitchen …
“We regret much of what we’ve built; we regret much of what we’ve torn down. But we’ve never regretted preserving anything.” -Daniel Sack Original windows serve a dual purpose of providing ventilation and light while being an important part of the buildings architectural design. These windows are constantly under attack from the marketing forces of …
Put Replacement Windows to Shame: What that Nice Salesperson Doesn't Want You to Know Read More »
© 2022 Practical Preservation | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service