Living in a historic home is a unique way to connect to Minnesota’s past. Even before it became a state in 1858, Minnesota was already home to distinctive architecture such as Fort Snelling (1820), the Sibley House (1835), and the Faribault House (1839).
With exponential growth starting in the 1850s, mansions began popping up along Summit Avenue in St. Paul, while Greek Revival homes dotted the streets in places like Minneapolis, Stillwater, and Hastings. As more cities continued to grow over the decades, Minnesotans built a diverse range of homes that remain iconic pieces of architecture, including Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Prairie Style, Tudor Revival, and Craftsman homes.
Living in a historic home can be enjoyable and rewarding, but older homes come with a lot of issues as well. Old wiring, outdated plumbing, drafty windows, and lead paint are just a few of the concerns to consider.
More than that, living in a historic home doesn’t always mesh with modern lifestyles. Cramped kitchens, unfinished basements, tiny bathrooms, and less-than-ideal layouts can all affect your enjoyment of your space.
Fortunately, renovating an older home can revitalize its outdated features while preserving its historic charm. Let’s explore how to renovate an old house and what you’ll need to consider before, during, and after the project.
James Barton Design-Build has 30 years of experience renovating homes throughout the Twin Cities. Our skilled design team can develop a remodeling plan that highlights the features you love and updates those you don’t. With a team of experienced builders, we will bring your home renovation to life. Contact us today to get started.
Renovating an Old Home in Minnesota: What to Consider
With a rich history of architecture, there are countless historic homes in the Twin Cities. Regardless of when your home was built, it helps to start your old home renovation with research, planning, and inspections.
- Assess the condition of structural elements, such as the roof and foundation. Unfortunately, historic homes are notorious for foundation problems, and you should address these issues first.
- Inspect the plumbing and electrical work. When remodeling older homes, you may find that the wiring or pipes have already been updated, but this isn’t always the case.
- Research the style of your home, especially if you want to preserve or restore original features that a previous owner may have changed during an earlier remodel.
- Decide which features you want to keep and which aspects you plan on changing. Keeping original wood floors, built-in cabinetry, period-specific light fixtures, or an original tub can help maintain the charm.
- Just for fun: Take a look at archival records to see if you can find old photos or learn the history of your home. The Gale Family Library is a great resource for researching historic homes in Minnesota.
Wondering what features to keep? Our designers can help you decide which historical elements you might want to incorporate into your design. James Barton Design-Build has a collaborative design process where we listen to your ideas and offer new perspectives to make your home look its best.
Planning a Historic Home Renovation in Minnesota
Renovating older homes presents a unique set of challenges. You’ll often encounter more surprises along the way compared to updating a house built in the ’80s or ’90s. Follow these steps to make your project safe and manageable.
Budgeting
The first step should be to set a budget for your project. Keep in mind that your cost will vary depending on how many areas of your home you’re renovating at once. While renovating your whole house at once will be expensive, it’s often more affordable than planning separate renovations for one area of your home at a time because you don’t need to go through the permitting process multiple times.
Hiring Help
Hiring a contractor is an equally important step. Figuring out how to renovate an old home on your own is no easy task. While smaller projects might be manageable with a DIY approach, homeowners often get in over their heads with renovations on an older home.
One reason for this is that older homes often use unexpected materials and construction methods that pose a challenge for inexperienced homeowners. It’s not uncommon to find quirky features that you don’t know how to deal with on your own.
Determining Scope
Once you have a builder, decide what approach to take. Renovating is an extensive job, with a focus on reconfiguring layouts and tearing out old features to modernize and update the space. Restoration, on the other hand, focuses on preserving as many of the original features as possible.
You can also take a blended approach, removing features that don’t work for you and preserving those that do. You might want to keep the original wood floors while gutting the kitchen. Or you may want to preserve wood banisters and millwork while tearing down walls that separate rooms.
Preserving Features
Whether you’re gutting your historic home or not, there are probably a few pieces you want to keep intact. Features like original light fixtures, stained glass windows, or antique door hardware are small things that give your home a lot of personality. Make a plan for temporarily removing or otherwise protecting these elements during the remodel.
Staying Safe
An unfortunate reality of remodeling older homes is that you may encounter unsafe materials, especially during the demolition phase. It was common for older homes to use asbestos, lead paint, and uninsulated wiring, among other potentially hazardous materials.
This is another reason it’s best to work with a professional contractor like James Barton Design-Build. With three decades of experience, we know what to expect when remodeling homes in the Twin Cities and how to keep everyone safe.
Sticking to a Schedule
Renovating an old home can be an extensive project. Learn how to keep your project on track so you know what to expect every step of the way.
Finishing Touches: Honoring the Past when Remodeling Older Homes
Some homeowners want to lean into the time period when their home was built, while others will simply give it a nod. One way you can do this is through styling and decorating your home after the renovations are complete.
Here are a few ways to reflect the architectural style of your home through decor:
- Choose a furniture style that was popular during the period your home was built. Even one accent piece can be a nod to the past.
- Research popular colors and patterns from the decade your home was built to help you choose things like wall paint, drapes, and wallpaper.
- Style a shelf with some period-specific antiques that the original homeowners might have treasured in their time.
- Hang a piece of wall art that fits the time period of your home.
FAQ: How to Renovate an Old Home
What is considered a historic home?
A house is not “historic” simply because it is old. The National Register of Historic Places outlines requirements that a house must meet to be considered a historic property.
What is an antique home?
An antique home is generally regarded as a home that was built more than 100 years ago. However, the definition is subjective.
What is an old home?
An “old home” is a very subjective term for any house built more than 50 years ago. However, you may consider your home old even if it was built more recently.
What is the difference between remodeling and restoring an old home?
The goal of remodeling an old home is to improve the existing structure, replace outdated features, and make the home more suitable for modern life. The goal of restoring a home, on the other hand, is to return the home to its original appearance and condition using period-specific materials and building methods.
Keep in mind, you can modernize a home through renovation without eliminating all of the features that make it look historic.
Will I need to update my electrical wiring when remodeling an older home?
Yes, you usually need to change the wiring in a historic home when remodeling it, unless a previous owner already modernized the electrical work. Old wiring often poses a fire risk, and remodeling is the best time to update it.
When were lead pipes used in homes?
Lead pipes have been used in homes from the 1800s through 1986, when they were banned. Lead pipes were very common up until the 1940s, but alternative materials gained popularity in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
When was asbestos used in homes?
Asbestos was commonly found in homes built between the 1940s and 1970s. However, asbestos was used in popcorn ceilings into the mid-80s. Working with an asbestos removal expert is the best way to assess and remove any asbestos in your home.
When was lead paint used in homes?
Lead paint was used in homes until 1978, when it was banned. If your home was built before 1978 and has not been renovated since, it may contain lead-based paint.
Renovate an Older Twin Cities Home with James Barton Design-Build
If you live in an older home, renovation is a great way to update and modernize your space to make it safer and more livable. Renovating an older home can be challenging because of the materials, construction methods, and design choices used in the past. However, James Barton Design-Build has decades of experience transforming homes to maximize their function and style.
Whether you want to update an old bathroom, renovate your historic kitchen, or modernize your entire home, we can help. Contact our design experts and let us show you the possibilities for your older home.
