Renovating an old church into a home can be a fun but also very challenging project. Wondering what you should keep in mind? Looking for ways to retain the spirit of the church while also creating a liveable space? Here are just a few of the ideas you should keep in mind:
1. Repair roof, windows and masonry before renovating anything else.
When you are diving into a church renovation, it can be tempting to start with the fun elements such converting the choir loft into a bedroom, turning the alter into a breakfast nook or choosing art to hang near the stained glass windows. Ideally, however, especially if you are working with a relatively old church, you should focus on the roof, windows and masonry first.
Repair all of these elements so that the envelope of your structure is sealed. That will prevent water from penetrating your structure and leading to further decay or ruin. Once you have those three issues repaired, you can start to work on the rest of your renovations.
2. Consider a wood burning stove paired with ceiling fans.
When people are just visiting a church once a week, they don't have to worry a lot about heat. Additionally, when you pack a few hundred bodies into the pews, they generate their own heat. However, if you are going to be living in the church with only a couple of people, you will need to think about heat.
Consider matching the period of the church by choosing an antique wood burning stove from the year the church was made. This gives your project a historic flair, and the stove produces functional, radiant heat. Keep in mind, however, that if the church has cathedral ceilings, all the heat will rise to the ceilings, and you may want to use fans to push it back down, regardless of whether or not the fans are in keeping with the period architecture.
3. Consider a new split electrical system.
If you have bought a relatively old church, you may need to update the electrical system. This can be scary if you think it means you have to rip through all your walls and potentially ruin some of your favourite period flourishes. Luckily, you don't have to do this.
Instead, work with an electrician who's comfortable working in historic structures, and consider keeping the wires out of the walls. Instead, wire the main floor of the church from the crawlspace or basement, and then, wire the loft separately through the walls.
Want more ideas and tips on turning an old church into a home? Contact an expert in period renovations. They can help.
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5 August 2016
Salutations! I am so glad that you found my blog. My name is Nancy, and this blog is going to be all about different aspects of remodelling. I plan to provide you with inspirational ideas, tips on working with the pros and facts about remodelling to help you choose the right products or techniques. I hope that you like these posts. Thinking about starting a remodelling project? Then, my blog is a great place to start your research. Please, grab a drink, get comfortable and start exploring. In addition to my love for remodelling, I am also interested in horseback riding, and I love doing puzzles.