5 tips for renovating a house

2023-07-17 22:00:00

  1. Assess the feasibility of your renovation project

During a renovation, the first criterion to examine to estimate the work to be carried out is your budget. This involves estimating the resources you have available and ranking the different aspects of the job site in order of importance. If you plan to live there, the work of permeability and insulation must be an absolute priority.

  • If you are sensitive to preservation of old housesyou can seek advice from the VMF (Old French Houses) and on the way make a donation for heritage French architecture. The latter is 75% tax-exempt within the limit of 50,000 euros per year.

  • Depending on the nature of your project, it is possible toget renovation grants conditional on the energy savings that will be made at the end of the project.

Work carried out according to the rules of the art

Before planning your project, assess the feasibility of the project by referring to the PLU of your municipality (rules may exist, in particular concerning a possible extension). A good practice consists in co-constructing, with an architect, a project of works which revolves around the town planning rules in force.

Next, look at priorities: you can’t do it all at once! Hire a qualified professional to perform a detailed inspection and provide you with an accurate cost and time estimate. In an old house, the major expense items are as follows:

It is essential to prioritize your work in order of importance: for example, if you plan to move in winter to a house which is currently a thermal sieve, the ideal is to take an interest in the roof waterproofing and insulation work before attacking the rest.

  1. Insulation techniques to preserve the integrity of your home

Insulation is a crucial aspect of renovation of an old house, both for the comfort of the occupants and for energy performance. However, it is important to choose suitable insulation techniques that do not compromise the authenticity of the house. Opt for wall and attic insulation methods that preserve the exterior appearance while improving energy efficiency.

A stone house, although its walls are thick, must, like cob houses, be properly insulated. A exterior insulation will preserve authentic architecture and the charm of a cottage or a cob house. Composite panels, mineral wool or even expanded cork, for an environmentally friendly renovation.

3. Organize the decoration around the original architectural pieces

Did you buy an old one? No doubt you are a fan of old architecture. What might be better, in this case, than to preserve them? Original features such as fireplaces, exposed beams and vaulted ceilings are undeniable assets which are the charm of old houses. To preserve the authenticity of the original architecture, organize the decoration around these architectural elements:

  • Pour renovate a thatched roofcall on an experienced cottager who will be able to preserve the charm of the original coating.

  • Turn the attic into a mezzanine : exposed wooden beams will honor the original architecture.

  • Restore the original chimneyor use it as a structuring decorative element around which the rest of the room is organized

  • You have the chance to enjoy original moldings ? Light the room to highlight them.

  • A clear and luminous painting (white or cream) will eliminate the feeling of heaviness given by the association of exposed beams with bright colors on the walls. The rendering will be warm!

4. Reuse the existing to keep the historic charm

When renovation of an old house, look for ways to reuse existing elements rather than systematically replacing them. For example, you can have old wooden doors restored by a carpenter qualified to deal with original parts. THE traditional windows can be repainted, added to double or triple glazing to optimize the thermal performance of the building. Wax floors or clean and maintain original dirt floors. Not only will you keep the historic charm of the house, but you will reduce the cost of your work while minimizing waste.

5. Use local materials for harmonious integration

L’use of local materials is a great way to reinforce the authenticity of your old house. Opt for traditional building materials, such as stone, wood or terracotta, which fit naturally into the architectural environment of the region. Not only will you preserve the authenticity and history of your home, but it can also help support the local economy.

  • In Brittany, granite, slate and thatch are suitable materials for renovating a traditional farmhouse or a Breton cottage.

  • Wood and flat clay tiles will be used first if you are renovating an Alsatian house.

  • Cob is an element to favor when renovating a Norman house

  • For a Basque house, the use of lime is an excellent choice to preserve the historical value of your property.

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