Restoring a historic building can be a great way to modernize an aging structure, make it more energy efficient, and ensure it can be maintained for generations to come. But this type of work is complex and often presents unique and unpredictable challenges. Whether you are planning a Historic Restoration project or wondering if your building is a good candidate, here are several key questions to ask as you weigh your options and search for the right partner to help realize your vision.
5 questions to ask when considering Historic Restoration
What do I want to accomplish with renovations?
Building owners pursue Historic Restoration for a variety of reasons with a variety of goals in mind. For instance, some want to update historic windows to address wear and tear from a purely aesthetic standpoint, while others seek to install windows that meet LEED energy efficiency standards while preserving the building’s historical significance. Determining your goals and what’s driving them will help you make strategic decisions about your construction plans and select partners who are aligned to your vision and equipped to bring it to life.
How can I modernize a historic building while maintaining its historic integrity?
Certain architectural features are telltale signs of historic buildings. The shape and style of a window, a design featured on a door, or the type of material used for siding are often indicators of when a building was constructed. As buildings age, both exterior and interior elements begin to deteriorate, impacting not just the look and feel of a space but also how it functions. Fortunately, with modern technology and the right expertise, these historic elements can be repaired or replicated to maintain a historically accurate facade while implementing structurally sound, energy-efficient structures and designs.
Windows can be reglazed, restored, or reconstructed using insulated glass. Ornate crown molding and custom trim can be recreated. Wood siding can be salvaged and repurposed in a similar, era-appropriate style. The possibilities are truly endless, just as long as you have a partner who is eager to explore and uncover unique solutions for complex challenges.
See how we repurposed 70 percent of the exterior wood siding at the Taft Museum of Art to restore this historic building.
Are there official standards Historic Restoration work must meet?
To answer this question, let’s first explore the difference between Historic Restoration and Historic Preservation. While both Historic Restoration and Historic Preservation are specific types of construction where old buildings are restored or renovated to preserve their historical significance (and are commonly used interchangeably), Historic Preservation work is often associated with more oversight by a statewide historic preservation agency. In Ohio, that agency is the State Historic Preservation Office, or SHPO. In addition to identifying historic places and archaeological sites, and nominating eligible properties to the National Register of Historic Places, SHPO also reviews rehabilitation work to National Register properties in Ohio. If your building has a National Register designation — or the even more prestigious National Historic Landmark designation — all construction work will need to adhere to your state’s historic preservation office’s guidelines. Collaborating with a construction partner who is experienced in Historic Restoration and Historic Preservation work can help you navigate the complexities you’ll encounter along the way and make the process as seamless as possible.
Are there financial incentives available?
When it comes to Historic Restoration work, there are two key financial incentives generally worth pursuing.
The first is LEED certification. Historic buildings are excellent candidates for LEED certification because they limit the need for new materials and can be outfitted to meet the latest green-energy standards during renovations. Significant tax abatements are often available for achieving certain levels of LEED certification, a designation that also inherently boosts energy efficiency and supports overall sustainability goals.
The second path toward a financial incentive are Historic Preservation tax credits. Due to the stringent nature of the application process, it’s important to explore this option early and make key decisions well in advance of your state’s tax credit deadlines.
Should I pursue Adaptive Reuse instead?
Adaptive Reuse is the process of repurposing an existing building for a different use, rather than constructing a new one. While Adaptive Reuse is fundamentally different from Historic Restoration, there is notable crossover between the two. For instance, both are rooted in sustainability and both have an underlying goal of preserving historic spaces. The key distinguisher, however, is that Adaptive Reuse is intended for conversions, such as old churches or office buildings being repurposed as restaurants or apartments. But if this aligns with your strategic goals, there are many benefits to Adaptive Reuse projects, including financial incentives, accelerated go-to-market timelines, and more.
Historic Restoration work can be challenging. Aging structures are fragile and were not built with construction crews in mind. But an experienced partner can help you navigate the complexities of these projects, overcome logistical challenges, and develop creative solutions to realize your vision.
Trade31 is a carpentry-driven construction partner specializing in facade improvements, finish carpentry, specialty contracting, general trades and other custom services. Backed by a century-old tradition of doing it right, our precision carpenters and speciality builders thrive where complex environments meet high expectations.