Our dreams and ambitions are often associated with our home and destroying it is something similar to shattering our dreams. Many of our childhood memories or nostalgic moments may be associated with our home. It holds unique perfume of someone we love. That’s the reason why destroying old home and building new one becomes painful to most of us.

Yet, most people prefer to live in new fashioned homes with large rooms rather than old homes with small rooms and narrow corridors. But it’s possible to give new face to old homes, reducing total expenditure to construct a new home as well as retaining old tradition. For that, a good mind is needed and a lot of patience and creativity to build new from old. If so, it’s not a big task to change your old home to a young one. 

Renovation doesn’t mean enlarging an already existing home, but it also included re-structuring and re-modeling your home, giving it a fresh and new look. Through this article, I am trying to clear a few doubts related to renovation of old homes.

What’s the real profit of renovation?

Most people begin to think of a new home when old home becomes inconvenient, particularly for including new members and new appliances. For example, a 50 year old home of 1000 square feet, but without bath attached bed rooms. Is it needed to construct a new home, just to include bath attached bed room according to latest fashion trends?

Old homes may have numerous small rooms. Seeing it’s inconvenient, why can’t you remove walls in between to change them to large bedrooms or living rooms? New rooms including kitchen can be constructed adding to the existing structure itself. It can be nicely attached with the help of corridors giving your home a traditional look as well as spacious living rooms and bed rooms.

For those persons with low budget, it’s better to go for renovation. Living in the old home itself, you can start adding new structure like bedrooms and later you can start renovating already existing structure. 

Can all houses be renovated?

No, it’s not at all practical. Some homes do exist in low elevation comparing nearby places. It may have occurred due to a recent road development, construction or new colony. Such homes may not be successful if renovated.

Since it’s at low level, it may be attacked by water or moisture easily. If so, fungus, pests, crickets and less strength walls may be the after effects. There is no alternative except raising the earth level which may add a lot of expenses.

If main walls of master plan have fringes or damages, never opt for renovation. If walls can’t support newly added concrete structures, renovation will fail. Yet damages of less significant walls won’t cause big problems.

If basement is damaged and the home structure has slightly come down, it’s better to opt for a new home. If basement floor is not strong, never go for renovation.

If small rooms are your real problems, just check if removing intermediate walls can make it more spacious. If it can’t give you significant results, you can leave that idea. Also, home walls soaked in rain and moisture give more expenses to the renovator.

Should vastu be considered while renovating?

Old homes have advantages if we consider vasthu factors as most of such homes are made according to it. So, the location and direction will be perfect. Such homes may be renovated easily by adding new parts as well, as we are not altering its main structure.

Old homes do have several inbuilt storage spaces, often considered sacred and traditional. People are often confused while making changes to such traditional structures. Those storage spaces were used for storing grains and other equipments and often seen beneath the rooms. Small storage spaces were used in old times to keep money and gold ornaments. It’s not a problem to destroy such spaces.

But in many traditional old homes, special secret places were there, which were used for worship. Such places, having the godly presence should not be demolished without considering vasthu. New constructions may be added to old structure. But make sure that, both walls should be at the same level. So, while constructing new rooms check the wall height. Also no new obstacles should be created (like pillars, wall or bath rooms) in ‘Graha madhya soothra’.

Is it true – renovation is more expensive than new construction?

The most important fact is – why should I renovate my home? Any home – new structure or renovation will fail if not done under proper planning and decisions. Bad ideas empty your pockets easier. Before going for renovation, sketch a plan and never try to bring modifications later to add more expenses.

If your desire is to increase the present condition of your home by adding a few more specifications, renovation is the best. But if you are dreaming for maximum comforts, construct new home. While renovating homes, you should be aware of its limitations as well. You should make an estimate before beginning the task. Also, assure yourself that you will be benefited with the renovation by giving low inputs.

Before consulting an architect, what things are to be done?

Never think that all things should be handled by the architect. The owner also needs good homework. For architects and engineers, it’s just 1 among hundreds of homes they have constructed. But it’s not your case because it’s your dream home.

So, buy a small book and write everything you need - your requirements, specifications, newly wanted features etc. How many rooms needed, new things to be included in the kitchen and bed rooms, is second storey needed, size of the room etc should be clearly noted. You should have a clear idea about room size and new features. You can measure your room using a tap to know, how more you need.

You can make a plan, where rooms can be included. Since, your convenience is the primary aim, it’s better you decide such things. Then you can approach an architect, giving your plan and ask him to design according to it. You should keep a photo of your home and its present master plan also.

How can we reduce the renovation cost?

Can all features be added according to our plan? Is it profitable comparing a new home? Can we use at least 50% of old things while restructuring? If answers to these questions is a big ‘yes’ you can go forward with your renovation plan.

Take it serious and give same attention, as if you are constructing a new home. Then only it will be profitable. Before visiting an architects or engineer, do sufficient home work to bring out the factors and know if your dreams can meet your expectations with minimum budget. Just remember, our dreams are unlimited and our fund is limited. It depends on us how to constrain those dreams inside our limited budget.

While beginning renovation, only vital things should be in mind. Give importance to advantages than decoration. It’s also possible to modify your home little by little according to the availability of fund.

If renovation needs 60% of money needed for building a new home or if a considerable modification is to be done in home plan and structure, it’s better to leave the idea of renovation.

What are the things to be noted while renovating a heritage home?

Heritage homes are precious and valuable. Now everyone is trying to renovate such old heritage homes to big hotels and tourist destinations. It’s sure, if you want to construct a home with same structure, it takes 3 times a normal budget. There lies the true value of such heritage homes. Also, such homes can never restore that traditional nature back, just looks like an artificial one. That’s the reason why architects suggest renovating such homes, retaining its traditional value.

Only those persons who feel interest in old tradition, value it or take notice its eco-friendly construction do come forward with renovating a heritage home in true means. Such homes should be re-constructed in such a way that they retain their ‘old and traditional’ look as well as heritage. So, leave the idea of changing its roof to concrete.

When the work starts, it should take care of each and every object of the home and should identify that renovating such homes means just refreshing the old memories and preserving them for ever.

Old symbols should be retained as much as possible or re-create them. It’s really sad to see 100 year old heritage homes destroyed to give birth to concrete buildings. Instead a pleasant atmosphere with a classic look is to be re-constructed.

Does renovation need permission from municipality or corporation?

If new rooms are to be added, it needs permission. If it’s just renovation and no extension, no papers needed.

Can antique beauty be retained with minimum cost?

Many things can be re-used in the process of renovation, for example, tiles, wood, furniture, bricks etc. Make maximum use of such old things. It not only gives antique look, but also reduces your budget. Brass attached to old wooden doors can be well-polished and used again. It gives a traditional looks as well. If ferro-cement is used to make shapes and structures, it gives a heritage look with minimum cost.

Before throwing away each bit, just think if it can be re-used in some manner. Old round switch boards can be painted again and keep as decorative in your bedrooms and living room. You can provide switches for real use.

Even the surroundings should be brought to a heritage atmosphere. If it contains ponds and small temples, retain them to give a traditional look.

What things are to be noted while designing interior of antique homes?

It’s a common trend to replace old furniture with new ones as soon as renovation is completed. Avoid dark shades and prefer antique colours and traditional look. Even the old wooden show case and tins can be converted to new furniture. Old tins can be decorated with brass and used as small tables in living rooms or bed rooms.

Using old tiles make small designs on walls and floors. Old things with antique look, but of no use, can be placed in show case to get a decorative look. Even old kitchen accessories of wood and metals can be re-used in this manner.

Interior design can be given a modern touch as well. Placing paintings itself, can bring a lot of difference. It’s possible to bring an antique look to your living room by a traditional lamp and Ravi varma picture. Using metal architecture, you can provide a modern look as well.

What are the things to be noted while doing extensions?

You should try to retain the character of the old home. All should look uniform. It should never appear as an extension. While providing concrete extensions to old traditional homes, you are just destroying the antique beauty and traditional look. Instead go for same model. Also, they should have same height. Otherwise there are possibilities for leaking in future.

If you are re-constructing concrete buildings, do proper planning. Give protected roof over the concrete. Also, the whole structure should look uniform to avoid leaking in future. Adding beauty giving life threat to the existing home should be avoided at any cost.

What about old wiring and plumbing?

It’s the real head ache of renovation. In old buildings, wood was mostly used for wiring. So, never do any comprise in wiring. If you are making modifications in walls, remove such old equipments. It’s better to draw new electric diagrams. Switch board, wires and switches of 20 years or more should be removed completely. If you are doing work in kitchen or bath room walls, it’s better to remove old pipes also. Old GI pipes may rust easily leading to leakage in future. So, remove them and use PVC pipes or CPVC pipes.

Can we use old windows and doors again?

Remove the damaged parts and use them again which can reduce expenses a lot. If the home has a lot of wooden doors and windows, it’s easy to retain antique look with the help of this old furniture.

In old homes, the support of roofs is given by windows. So, while repairing or remodeling walls and windows, give support to the roof before the start of process. If front doors and windows are damaged by cricket or pests, no need to throw them away. Instead they can be used in less significant places, less visible. New doors and windows can be used in front and visible places. If your house is 30 years old, it’s good to check doors and windows during renovation.

Old fashioned windows have glass ventilators at top with metallic bars. No need to throw them away. Instead while fixing them again, just place upside down. You can remove those metal bars by new piece of wooden legs, specially curved round. It gives a classic look for sure.

What are the things to be noted while renovating concrete homes?

Main reason for renovation of concrete buildings – leaking! So, primary importance should be given to prevent leakage than decorate purposes. When it was constructed years back, it may have done in different layers to add beauty which results in leakage in future. When moisture is absorbed it results in damage of sunshades eventually resulting in the damage of building.

Now, qualities of building materials have undergone a considerable quality change. That’s the reason why even new buildings face the problem of leaking. So, it’s better to use tiles above concrete to protect them from future damages.

Tress work – what things are to be noted?

Many people used to build tress as a circus shed to protect the building from leakage. Using sheets over metallic pipes destroy the beauty of building. Also, it will become a dump yard in future.

Never assume tress work to be an Aluminum roof only. Instead, design it to enrich beauty of the building. You can use both tiles and sheets while doing tress work. Provide glass in between. If so, it provides more sunlight. Always use strong metallic pipes and sheets.

A home of 70’s, want to renovate to prevent leaking. Is the idea practical?

Concrete is not the only solution to prevent leakage. If your home is too old, never go for concreting. Walls and basement may not support the new structure. Just check if your basement can support concrete. Also, if walls have moisture, never opt concreting.

Though the main structure may be strong, supporting features may have more damages and fissures. So, it’s better to destroy such less stable structures and construct new rooms there, sustaining the main structure.

While you are opting renovation, never think of heavy roof. Tile is the best option than concrete. Now steel structures and ready made roofing structures are available in market. Some echo-friendly materials also.

Should we re-paint windows and doors?

If it’s a heritage home, it’s better not to repaint it. Painting destroys the natural beauty of old wood. Never use sand papers as well. Let us keep even small damages as such, to give an old traditional look.

Painting can be done without causing damage to the natural beauty. Some methods are there. For example, apply cashew nut oil after painting with copper sulphate. 1 litre costs just 80 rs and thus, varnished beauty can be attained in cheap rate.

How flooring should be renovated?

Never concrete old floor. Earlier, soil was used for floor. Repeat the same procedure again. Add 5% cement as well. Then paint can be applied or even tiles, as you wish.

It’s cheap and has many benefits as well. This flooring provides suitable pores providing easy escape of retained moisture. Instead if you use concrete, it may damage the building in future. Absorbed moisture is the reason.

What renovation can be done to old mosaic floors?

Most of old concrete buildings possess mosaic floors. If it’s not damaged, polishing it the best idea. If it’s not a level-different floor, you can opt for changing flooring as well. Instead of destroying old floor, you can fix new tiles on the top. Such gums are easily available in market. But if old flooring is not of same level, it’s better to change old floor as a part of renovation.

An old heritage home with small rooms and a lot of corridors and secret inbuilt storage spaces - How can it be renovated?

Main problem of such residences is low height. Ventilation is also low. So, first step is to provide enough air circulation and sun light inside rooms.
A method exists to elevate such rows a little bit with the help of Jackie and then increase the height of flooring. Wood can be added to doors to increase its height, thus solving the problem.

If it’s an old fashioned two-storey building, it’s also possible to increase its height. At first, the top wooden parts are removed. Then increase the height of first floor, wall etc and replace the top part again, to give the same look.

We should never assume than everything will work according to our plan. In 1% cases, such removed parts can’t be replaced again. So, it’s better to increase the height of first floor and renovation first. Then only go for the second storey wooden parts.
To make rooms more spacious, remove intermediate walls. Never aim big dreams while renovating such very old homes.

While removing floor of second storey, what are the things to be noted?

Old homes used red oxide for flooring. It can’t be completely assured that flooring renovation of second floor will be completely successful. Moisture is the real problem. Often, cow dung was used in old homes for flooring which may result in pest attack as well. So, it’s better to remove the whole soil and give new flooring.

Since, most houses use wooden flooring for second floor, it’s better not to use ceramic tiles. Wood may develop curvings as well, along with the passage of time which breaks the ceramic tiles in future. Instead use synthetic type materials for flooring of second floor.

Is it possible to change interior of a single room through renovation? If so, how is it done?

Renovation doesn’t mean, altering home as a whole. A part of home or room can also be renovated. Giving polishing touches to a single room also comes under renovation. Even a single room renovation can bring a lot of freshness to the old home. For example, modifying and decorating living room, changing curtains of all room, making a modular kitchen, painting and modifying a part of home etc come under renovation.

Through this article, I have given a brief idea of renovation. Hoping it would help you a lot.