Renovating & Restyling Older Homes

Chapter 2
Inspecting the Exterior, 15
Making a List and Checking It Twice, 15
The Lot, 17
The Roof, 18
The Chimney, 23
The Eaves, 24
The Gutters And Downspouts, 24
The Siding, 25
Windows, 30
Porches, 30
Termites and Carpenter Ants, 31
The Foundation, 32
Garages, 32

Chapter 3
Inspecting the Interior, 35
The Living Room, Dining Room, Entry and Hall, 35
The Walls, 35
The Ceiling, 39
Floors, 40
Electrical Features, 41
The Kitchen, 42
Downstairs Room Additions, 43
The Upstairs Rooms, 45
Upstairs Additions, 46 The Attic, 48
The Basement, 50

Chapter 4
Inspecting the Plumbing, Electrical
and Heating Systems, 55
The Plumbing System, 55
The Electrical System, 57
The Heating System, 61

Chapter 5
Urgent Repairs, 69
Gas Leaks, 69
Heating Emergencies, 71
Water Leaks, 73
Electrical Problems, 76
Security, 76

Chapter 6
Roof and Siding Repair, 79
Roofing an Older Home, 80
Walls, 83
Exterior Painting, 87

Chapter 7
Window and Door Repair, 95
Windows, 95
Exterior Doors, 109

Chapter 8
Porch Repair, 123
Wooden Porches, 124
Masonry Porches, 141

Chapter 9
Repairing Concrete Work, Foundations
and Drainage Problems, 149
Concrete Mixes, 149
Repairing Concrete Flatwork, 150
Foundation Repairs, 152
Directing Water Flow, 158

Chapter 10
Garage Repair, 163
The Grandfather Clause, 163
Repairs, 164

Chapter 11
Recycling What You Can't Use, 171
Recycling Valuable Building Materials, 171
Recyclers, Antique Dealers and Junk Collectors, 172

Chapter 12
Structural Repairs, From the Basement Up, 175
The Basement, 175
Strengthening the Floors, 180
Second-Floor Structural Problems, 185
Sagging Second-Floor Additions, 191
Stairways, 193

Chapter 13
Plumbing Repair, 199
Galvanized Steel Inlet Lines, 199
Cast Iron Drain Lines, 202
Bathroom Leaks, 205
Kitchen Plumbing, 207

Chapter 14
Heating and Electrical Modifications, 209
Installing a New Heating System, 209
Solving Heating System Problems, 214
Other Heating Problems, 220
Electrical Modifications, 222

Chapter 15
Wall and Ceiling Repair, 229
Repairing Wet Plaster, 229
Repairing with Drywall, 232

Chapter 16
Floor Repair, 237
Carpeting vs. Hardwood Floors, 237
Hardwood Floors, 241
Floor Repairs,
Refinishing the Floor, 243
Softwood Floors, 246
Unsalvageable Floors, 247
New Wood Flooring, 247

Chapter 17
Discovering Victorian Architecture, 249
Architectural Styles, 249
The Victorian Style, 250
Renovations in Historic Neighborhoods, 259

Chapter 18
Restoring Victorian Exteriors, 261
Improvements: Style vs. Livability, 262
Victorian Decorations, 280
Inventing the Style, 282

Chapter 19
Victorian Interiors, 285
Victorian Lives, 285
Adapting the Victorian Floor Plan, 286
The Parlors, 290
The Bedrooms, 294
Maximizing Space, 299
Skylights, 302
The Victorian Cooling System, 305
Victorian Heating Systems, 306

Chapter 20
The Bathroom, 313
Bathrooms and Property Values, 313
Building a Bathroom, 314
Remodeling an Existing Bathroom, 318
Working with Ceramic Tile, 324
Decorating the Bathroom, 331

Chapter 21
Victorian Kitchens, 337
The Expanded Kitchen, 337
Basic Kitchen Design Considerations, 338
"Old-Fashioned" Looks in Kitchen Design, 341
Kitchen Flooring, 345
Adding Kitchen Space, 348

Chapter 22
Adding Living Space, 351
Converting Unused Space, 351
The Attic, 352
Porch Conversions, 352
Blending the Exteriors of Converted Spaces, 356
Victorian Basements, 357
Major Additions, 357

Chapter 23
Victorian Outbuildings, 359
Carriage Houses, 359
The Garage, 359 Barns, 360
Other Outbuildings, 365

Chapter 24
Landscaping Victorian Houses, 369
Simple Landscaping Ideas, 369
Decks, 371
Victorian Gazebos, 372
Arbors, 372
Walkways, 374
Ornamental Fencing, 375
Exterior Lighting, 377

Chapter 25
Craftsman and Prairie Homes, 379
The Craftsman Horne, 379
Prairie-Style Homes, 380
The Merging of the Styles, 381

Chapter 26
Craftsman Interiors, 383
Oak Woodwork, 383
The Craftsman Bathroom, 387
The Craftsman Kitchen, 390
Converting Space for Living, 391

Chapter 27
Craftsman Exteriors, 395
Maintaining Design Elements, 395
Exterior Detail and Style Elements, 397
Garages, 401
Conclusion, 402

Inspection Checklist, 403

Index, 410