From cozy Cape Cod cottages to stately Second Empire mansions, Pittsburgh is a city filled with rich architectural heritage. One of the greatest joys of owning an older Pittsburgh home is the opportunity to immerse yourself in its fabulous history.
An older home renovation is a labor of love. These time-honored structures, while full of character, often conceal a range of challenges that demand meticulous planning and careful execution. Whether you are preparing for a remodel or looking to purchase an older home, this guide will prepare you with the knowledge and insights necessary to avoid setbacks and unexpected costs.
Embrace Timeless Design
When planning an older home renovation, begin by identifying its unique architectural style. You will want to select an aesthetic that harmonizes with its existing features. Aim to strike a balance between preserving your home’s historic essence and incorporating contemporary touches that accommodate your practical needs.
Pittsburgh architecture includes the following home styles:
- Craftsman: Low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, and exposed wooden structural elements.
- Victorian: Features intricate trim, asymmetrical facades, and steep gable roofs.
- Colonial Revival: Symmetrical facades, brick or wood siding, and classical details like columns and pediments.
- Tudor Revival: Steeply pitched roofs, half-timbering, and tall, narrow windows.
- Federal: Simple, boxy shapes with symmetrical facades and decorative elements like fanlights and sidelights.
- Italianate: Tall, narrow windows, decorative brackets under wide eaves, and ornate doorways.
- Ranch: Single-story, long and low profiles with simple, open floor plans.
- Georgian: Symmetrical and formal with brick facades, multi-paned windows, and classical detailing.
Online resources, design magazines, local home tours, and historical preservation organizations are great places to start gathering design ideas and inspiration. By immersing yourself in Pittsburgh’s architectural diversity, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s heritage and be better equipped to make decisions and communicate your vision with your Pittsburgh home remodeling company.
Addressing Structural Integrity
One of the most crucial aspects of an older home renovation is ensuring the structural integrity of the foundation. An experienced design build firm will identify any cracks, settling, or other concerns that may necessitate reinforcement or repairs.
Older homes often require masonry repairs, such as repointing brick walls and chimneys, to maintain structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. You will want to address structural problems promptly, as neglecting these issues can lead to more extensive and costly repairs down the line.
Additionally, homes built prior to 1940 often lacked adequate grading for water runoff leading to moisture intrusion, mold growth, and potential foundation issues. Prioritize grading improvements, waterproofing measures, and drainage solutions to safeguard your investment and prevent future structural compromises and unexpected costs.
Upgrading Electrical and Plumbing Systems
Older homes were designed and constructed with the technologies and standards of their era, often resulting in outdated and potentially hazardous electrical and plumbing systems. The modernization of these components is critical to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with current building codes.
A knowledgeable design build firm will assess the existing wiring, circuits, and electrical panels of your home, and recommend upgrades or replacements to accommodate modern appliances and electronics. Your Pittsburgh remodeling company should also evaluate the condition of pipes, fixtures, and sewer lines, and address any issues with galvanized pipes, clogs, or leaks that may compromise your home’s integrity and functionality.
Addressing Potential Hazards
Remodeling an older home often unveils hidden hazards that demand immediate attention and remediation. Asbestos, a once-prevalent fire-retardant material found in insulation, flooring, and roofing, poses significant health risks when disturbed or airborne. You will want to work with a competent design build team that can implement safe removal or encapsulation procedures, and will prioritize the well-being of your family and contractors.
Lead-based paints, commonly used in homes built prior to 1978, pose another potential threat, particularly during renovation activities that generate dust or debris. When renovating an older Pittsburgh home, you’ll want to ensure that you are working with an EPA-certified design build firm that is trained in lead-safe practices, and can implement proper containment and disposal protocols.
Prioritize the identification and remediation of these issues to safeguard the health and well-being of your family, as well as the structural integrity of your home.
Assembling Your Dream Team: Hire An Experienced Design Build Team
Embarking on an older home renovation project demands the expertise of seasoned professionals who possess a deep understanding of the nuances and challenges inherent to aged structures.
When planning your Pittsburgh remodeling project, you should seek out contractors with a proven track record in renovating old homes. You will want to thoroughly vet potential candidates: request references, review past projects, and verify credentials, including licenses, insurance coverage, and adherence to local regulations.
You will also need a highly qualified team of electricians, plumbers, carpenters, masons, and certified asbestos and lead-based paint removal specialists, to contribute their specialized expertise.
Why navigate the complex process of assembling and managing a team of specialists on your own when you can trust Master Remodelers to handle it all for you? Our highly experienced and credentialed design build firm brings decades of expertise in renovating Pittsburgh homes. We take great pride in our in-house management, skilled production crew, and strong relationships with talented trade partners. Together, they form an integral part of Master Remodelers, consistently delivering exceptional results to our valued clients. Contact us today to discuss your Pittsburgh older home renovation project.
