Learn About Your Historic Home From its Materials
When you’re undertaking a historic renovation in Atlanta, keeping your home close to its original form takes research. There aren’t always detailed records available regarding when it was built, but one way to learn your home’s history is by examining the building materials and features.
Brickwork
Color, size, shape and texture of brickwork reveals how it was made. Discovering brickwork was hand-molded and traditionally-fired or machine-molded and fired in a kiln with modern fuels gives you an idea of the time period of your historic home.
Wood
For homes constructed of wood, there are factors to consider aside from the structural system when researching for your historic renovation in Atlanta. Looking carefully at the wood surface tells you whether it was cut by older tools such as an ax or a more modern band saw.
Nails
If nails were used, do they look wrought by hand or machine cut? Nail manufacturing has been notably changed and improved through the years, which makes it easy to pinpoint an age of a home by the type of nails used.
Framing
The original construction, alterations and methods the builders used can be better understood by studying the framing method, joining and finishing of the wood. You can choose to keep the appearance of your home in accordance with these historic methods while still using modern and more secure techniques.
Roofing
Due to constant elemental exposure, the roof of your historic home has likely been replaced or shingled over more than once. If your roof has several layers, looking at the oldest materials can help identify the time period. If it’s been totally replaced recently it can’t be used as a reliable historic reference point.
Contact Renewal Design-Build for your historic renovation in Atlanta. We’re dedicated to great customer satisfaction and quality renovations.