Heritage articles
Advice, guides and news on heritage renovation
11 article(s) found
Exterior paint: the first maintenance step for a heritage home
Paint protects more than it decorates. When you stop repainting a heritage home, the wood rots, the masonry cracks, and the bill climbs fast.
Montreal balcony brackets: reading and restoring a heritage detail
On Plateau duplexes, these carved wooden details actually carry the balcony. How to recognize them, why they rot, and how to save them.
Inspecting a heritage home: 12 critical points to check
A standard inspection misses what really matters in a heritage home. Here are the 12 points that separate a good purchase from three years of costly surprises.
The Roof: The Architectural Personality of an Old House
The roof is the first thing nobody notices, yet it defines a building's deepest identity. Gable, hip, mansard, false mansard, flat, pavilion: a complete guide to understanding and preserving the roof of a heritage home.
Heritage Windows and Doors: Repair or Replace?
Before replacing a heritage door or window, it pays to understand what you actually lose. Why repair is almost always the right answer in Quebec.
Expanding a Heritage Home Without Losing Its Character
Adding space to a century-old house without betraying its soul, one of the most nuanced renovation challenges in Quebec.
Mortar in a Heritage Home: Why It Matters More Than You Think
Repointing an old house with Portland cement can irreversibly destroy the masonry. Learn why mortar is the most critical element in historic masonry, and the 6 mistakes you must never make.
Hardwood Floors in an Old Home: Restore, Maintain, Preserve
Under the carpets and vinyl flooring often lie treasures: original hardwood floors that have survived a century or more. Here's how to identify them, restore them, and keep them beautiful for the next 100 years.
Wood Lacework: The Ornamental Art That Defines Victorian Facades
Bargeboards, turned balusters, pierced brackets and decorative friezes are the signature of Quebec's Victorian heritage homes. But this ornamental art is disappearing. Here's how to recognize it, assess it, and restore it.
Heritage Home Value on the Real Estate Market
In Quebec's heritage neighbourhoods, old houses aren't just beautiful, they often command a market premium. Discover what truly drives their value and how to get the best price when selling.
10 Myths About Old Buildings That Cost You Dearly
Old buildings get a bad reputation they don't deserve. From inefficient windows to "paint the brick" advice, ten stubborn heritage myths lead owners to costly, irreversible mistakes, debunked with facts and real numbers.