Older homes are full of character, craftsmanship, and charm that is hard to replicate in newer builds. There is a reason many of us are still drawn in by the appeal of the older generation of housing stock that covers a good deal of the Twin Cities.
While the aesthetic and bones of those classic Minneapolis homes may be strong, other aspects of the aging structures might need an update after a century of providing for their families. An old house remodel is the perfect way to maintain the charm of your home while bringing it into the 21st century.
From practical revamps like electrical and insulation, to more big picture design overhauls such as opening up walls for an open concept, there is so much that a remodel can do for your older home. An experienced home remodel contractor like Great Northern Builders should have plenty of experience with these older Minneapolis homes and will know exactly how to set them right.
What’s Going Wrong?
There can be any number of reasons why homeowners need to remodel old homes. As any homeowner knows, sometimes a small problem can cascade into larger inconveniences, or barely noticeable issues can stack up over the years until you feel like your house is coming down around you.
Getting ahead of some of these problems with an old house remodel can be a huge boon to your quality of life and will improve your property value in a market that is always on the rise. There’s no reason anyone should have to make the decision between a charming old house and modern amenities.
Insulation
Insulation is one of the top problem areas in older Minneapolis homes. Insulation technology has advanced leaps and bounds over the old, sawdust and newspaper stuffing used in many homes built around the turn of the century.
You might notice significant drafts throughout your home, big temperature differences between rooms, or exterior walls cold to the touch. These signs point to a lack of effective insulation in your old walls that is affecting the overall performance of your home as well as your quality of life.
An old house remodel presents an excellent opportunity to rectify this issue common to old homes in Minneapolis. If part of a larger project, you might have the chance to open up your walls completely and install modern foam board insulation panels for a tight seal.
On the other hand, if you want to maintain the integrity of those lath and plaster walls, energy efficient spray foam insulation can be applied with minimal disruption to the existing structures. Either way, an update to your insulation is a huge benefit to any old house remodel.
Windows
In addition to outdated insulation, many old Minneapolis homes boast original windows that have seen more winters than they could handle. With poor seals and broken mechanisms, those aged windows can be a hassle to use and bleed conditioned air all year round.
As key openings for your home, windows have the potential to leak a lot of air whether it’s hot or cold outside. Older windows have often lost their seal years ago or never had a very good one to start with.
Additionally, our ability to craft quality glass has greatly increased since many of those old Minneapolis homes were made. New glass panes are made with multiple layers trapping pockets of insulating air in between them.
New windows won’t only be more energy efficient, they will be an overall delight to use when compared to old pulley windows with frayed and broken rope, or panes set on jagged and rusted metal tracks. You’ll be finding yourself taking in more fresh air than ever during the warm months with how easy they are to open and close.
A home remodel is a great time to include new windows into your home. Your contractor will be able to plan the new glass into the overall design of the project and make sure they fit snugly with your walls and your style.
Damaged Floors
Floors take a lot of wear and tear for obvious reasons, especially in Minneapolis where the seasons come hard and fast. After a hundred years of stress, your floors might be in need of some love and care.
Many of our old Minneapolis homes have their beautiful original hardwoods, though many are laced with scratches, dirt, and decayed lacquer. Other floors might be covered completely by carpet, tile, laminate, or linoleum.
If you want to maintain the classic look of your house, wood floors can be uncovered and refinished for a clean look that still maintains its old school appeal. If you don’t have any hardwoods to refinish, a new floor can be made to match your older home with gorgeous reclaimed wood from a dealer like Manomin Resawn Timbers.
For a durable and stylish alternative to the old hardwoods, you might consider Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) as an alternative flooring. The more modern material can match a design that revitalizes your old house remodel with some 21st century flair.
Electrical
It’s common to find old Minneapolis homes run through with knob and tube wiring – an outdated type of electrical installation that can cause fires and skyrocket your insurance. Many outlets might be lacking a ground, and they are often placed inconveniently for our modern technological needs.
Remodeling your house is a great way to get rid of old and dangerous wiring while greatly improving the functionality of your home. A good contractor will make sure all of your electrical is up to date and install new wiring wherever you need it.
New outlets in a kitchen, office, or bedroom can accommodate our increased use of electrical appliances and need for device charging. If your living room was designed before the advent of the television, there’s a good chance it could also use some better placed outlets.
Low voltage wiring can also be incorporated into your house to make convenient internet and video plug-ins. If you have a desktop computer in the office that needs an ethernet port, or your TV is too far from your entertainment devices, low voltage fixtures can help clean up messy cables and keep your technology running smoothly.
Fireplace
While many older homes boast a classic fireplace, many of them are awkward, unusable, or inefficient. Getting a fire roaring on a cold winter night should be the perfect way to enjoy your home, but that might not be possible for all.
From placement to structural issues, any problem you have with your fireplace can be solved with an expert old house remodel. As a large feature and focal point, you can center the design of your room around a beautifully updated fireplace.
A good contractor will be able to handle any structural problems like a crumbling chimney or broken flue, while ensuring a functional and eye-catching fixture for your whole house. A variety of fireplace inserts can meet the needs of your lifestyle while providing a convenient source of heat for cozy winter nights.
A wood burning fireplace insert will keep the old world charm of your living space while greatly improving over the safety and efficiency of a classic open fireplace. If burning wood is too much of a hassle, there are plenty of electric and gas fireplace inserts that will provide ambience and heat with the flip of a switch.
Expand your Kitchen or Living Space
One of the main functional problems with an old house is a small galley kitchen or an awkward living room. These confining spaces don’t usually fit with our more modern communal living that values having the whole family in the same room.
Unfortunately, in the early 1900s when many older Minneapolis homes were built, the open concept floor plan wasn’t around yet. Kitchens were utilitarian fixtures in the home, and formal dining and living rooms kept all of the daily functions separate.
With an old house kitchen remodel, you can correct the oversight of these old layouts. With a good home remodel contractor, you can take down walls, install an addition, and open up your stuffy kitchen to the rest of the family.
With an improved floor plan, you and your family will feel more connected than ever, and hosting will be a breeze. And if you ever plan to sell, a modern, open floor plan is very attractive to any buyer in today’s market, especially when so many of older homes are stuck in the past.
Time for Your Old House Remodel
If any of these issues are plaguing your day to day life, it might be time to consider an old house remodel. You will see a great improvement in quality of life as your house becomes less raft, more energy efficient, comfortable, and convenient.
Reach out to Great Northern Builders and tap into our expertise in remodeling old Minneapolis homes. We know that these issues can be overwhelming, but as a skilled remodel contractor, we can take on all of these issues and more.
