MAKE YOUR OLDER HOME PROMOTE GOOD LIVING

by Randy Mate
Taking an older home and remodeling it takes some special skills. When I see a home that was built in the 1930’s, that has not already been remodeled, it will have items that are handmade and custom built. As a homeowner you may want to keep these as they are. Built-in cabinets may have to be matched with a new entertainment system which needs to be larger than they were seventy-five years ago.
Remaking the existing to suit or matching your cabinets, bookcases, doors, windows and trim, takes a skilled craftsman. Most likely you don’t want to put in a white, pressboard, pre-fab cabinet into a den that has handcrafted, turn of the century oak cabinets and shelves.
The windows are going to be single-layered glass that is not energy efficient. The wood of the frames may be rotted, termite damaged or falling apart. One way to handle this is to have the windows replaced. You can have new wooden windows made to fit and match the existing. A less expensive way to go is with a vinyl window that looks similar to older style windows but eliminates the problem of termite damage and wood rot. Additionally, with vinyl, you won’t have to paint them.
Doors and doorways may not be the standard size that are made today. In this case you may not be able to go out and get a store-bought door that matches, with frame that matches and install it. It may be a special order (size still made but not carried by the store, however it can be ordered) or a custom-made (size not made or carried in a store however it can be made by a skilled craftsman) door.
We can retain the original look of the home when it was first built with the correct time, money and craftsmen. In this way your house will increase in value, appearance and usability.