There's just something about a historic home that makes people want to buy them and bring them back to life. In fact, retaining the authentic appearance is a passion for owners who look far and wide to find genuine or replica period fixtures, doors and windows, hardware, copies of original woodwork and other interior details.
Whether it's a small cottage or a rambling Victorian, renovating old houses is one of the best things homeowners can do for the environment. If you are going to remodel you're in a position to have the best of both worlds: a sense of history and a sensibility toward the environment. The principles of sustainable building are easily adapted to period-renovation projects. This applies whether a structure is sixty years old or several hundred years old.
In the end, the choice to reuse an existing structure instead of demolishing and building new is at the heart of determining a structure's "sustainable" impact. Plus you have the satisfaction of knowing that a historic home has been given both the attention and the chance to stand for another century.
Historic preservation is both one of the most inherently "green" professions and one that provides many benefits to towns. While some see efforts at historic preservation merely as exercises in nostalgia and an infringement on property rights, historic preservation can create jobs and strengthen communities.
The following are several sustainable reasons (other than wanting to retain beautiful buildings) for being a supporter of historic preservation.
* Front and rear porches served dual heat-related purposes for homeowners before the introduction of air conditioning.
In addition, porches provided a sheltered space to sit out of the sun while enjoying the breezes.
* Windows in older homes were always operable to allow cooling air to enter the home.
* Screen doors were installed on all exterior doors, again to capture breezes into enter the home.
* Most doors typically had covered overhangs when not already sheltered by a porch, protecting from rain as well as sheltering the house from the sun.
These methods are still effective since they take advantage of the inherent good design found in our historic homes.
Central to the discussion of older and historic buildings is the subject of weatherization Since most historic homes need needed some restoration, care must be taken protect the integrity of the historic building while updating aspects of the structure that will provide a comfortable and healthy living space for occupants.
Increasing your home's energy efficiency does not have to break the bank. There have been a variety of federal- and state-level options available to the owners of older and historic homes and buildings who are looking for financial incentives to undertake larger weatherization and/or rehabilitation projects. Unfortunately in early February, President Obama released his FY 2011 budget request to eliminate funding for Save America's Treasures and Preserve America, and cut funding for National Heritage Areas by 50%. Assistance continues to be part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program. Every state is now administering over $5 billion in stimulus funds for this program, which was created in 1976 in response to the nation's first energy emergency.
Many Delaware cities and towns have guidelines in place for renovating older homes located their historic district and Lewes and Milton are two good examples. To address these requirements, homeowners can employ the expertise of local artisans, builders, historians and designers who have extensive experience with remodeling, restoring and adding onto historic properties.
It takes a unique person to appreciate life in an old house since it means entering into a partnership with both the house and the community. It does, however, offer a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy an irreplaceable piece of history, a home that has long been part of the fabric of a town.
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