Why Important With a heritage building, first impressions matter. Even small signs of inappropriate style or material stands out, and can suggest that unsympathetic changes have made which can devalue the whole property. What to look for Originally, it is said, only doctors had door knockers; other houses and flats had bells. They were introduced …
Category: Heritage Guide
The Heritage Homes Guide
Kitchen Ranges
Why Important There are very few original kitchen ranges from 19th century still is place. Thus their discovery is an important heritage feature. What to look for They were always used in the cooking area of the home, usually the kitchen. However, they were difficult and time consuming to clean. They were also very heavy …
Ironmongery
Introduction Buildings in Birkenhead Heritage area, which encompasses both the Birkenhead Georgian Quarter and Victorian Town, are a living record of the community that built and used them, reflecting craft skills and available materials, styles and aspirations and personal whims. Appropriate door furniture is a very important part of any historical building, especially as it …
Internal Plastering
Why Important For historic homes the reinstatement of the original style can make a significant difference to the value of the property. In Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings, plasterwork can be seen as the very essence of the period, and can identify the use of the original room.
Internal Period metalwork
Why Important With a heritage building, first impressions matter. Even small signs of inappropriate style or material stands out, and can suggest that unsympathetic changes have made which can devalue the whole property. What to look for Very often where the period metalwork has been difficult to remove, is has been painted over to make …
Internal Knobs
Why Important With a heritage building, first impressions matter. Even small signs of inappropriate style or material stands out, and can suggest that unsympathetic changes have made which can devalue the whole property. What to look for Interior Georgian brass knobs were spun with a pressed brass rose. Roses were normally surface fixed with brass …
Internal Doors
Why Important What to look for In period buildings, internal doors were distinctive of the design of the building. However, in 1960’s, there was an ‘improvement movement’ which lead to these doors being covered in flat, plain hardboard, and then painted. Traditionally, if these interior doors were painted, they would be either white/off white or …
Insulation of Roofs and Dormers
Why Important Heat is lost through a typical roof and in this age of spiralling fuel prices and demands to reduce carbon footprints, it is sensible to insulate the roof space. What to look for In an attic, insulation can be laid between and over rafters. However it is important to maintain ventilation within the …
Insert a damp proof course (dpc)
Why Important Unless there is a specific heritage requirement NOT to introduce a damp proof course, a damp proof course provides a permanent barrier to prevent the building structure taking up ground water, and thus reduces subsequent problems with walls, etc. Where damp proof courses are NOT allowed, then other techniques can be used to …