Answering Your Questions About Heritage

Heritage Buildings – A Few Simple Conservation Rules:

Don’t avoid routine maintenance and regular upkeep. Costs add up, work become more complicated and heritage elements are put at risk;

Don’t use inappropriate building materials, avoid painting or stuccoing over masonry walls, repoint old, softer brick with appropriate mortar and always match existing mortar profile, etc;

Don’t erect additions that are out of scale with the heritage structure or which conflicts visually because of choices of exterior finishes and detailing;

Avoid conjecture with regard to “restoring” missing heritage elements or by introducing "period" elements that would not otherwise be suitable;

Don’t cover, remove or replace sound or repairable detailing, especially with modern materials that do not match (e.g. replacing wood sash windows with plate glass panels or vinyl casement windows);

Repair instead of replace, and where replacement is necessary, do so as sparingly as possible;

Always recognize and respect the “patina” of an old building. Over-zealous cleaning particularly with harsh products or methods can destroy the authentic character and age of a building;

Avoid gutting the interior of original and period finishes and details in order to “modernize”. Elements such as original baseboard, plaster ceiling medallions and cornices, window and door mouldings, period light fixtures, staircases, mantelpieces, stained glass windows are critical to ensure the interior of a building retains its character and value;