Maybe it has
something to do with a childhood home we fondly remember. Many of us long for
old homes built with solid construction, quality craftsmanship and beautiful
details. We wax poetic and wistfully recall the hand carvings, plaster walls
and eyebrow dormers of homes we've known. How do the old homes we admire
compare with newly minted models?
Location
Typically, old homes sit on generous plots of land in or near town. Mature
trees and plantings provide shade and beautify the property and neighborhood
streets. New homes are generally found in developments outside town. Homeowners
who have bought into an early phase in a development can expect to contend with
dust and construction sights and sounds as the remaining phases are being
built. Landscaping may be skimpy or nonexistent.
Layout
Old homes were not built with our electronics-crazed families in mind.
Entertaining was more formal in times past. Architects now design homes for
informal living. The many cozy rooms, tight closets, and small bathrooms (very
often only one!) found in old homes have been replaced with updated layouts
that feature family kitchens; walk-in closets; family rooms, some with built-in
entertainment centers; and two- or even three-car garages.
Energy efficiency
Those eight-over-eight single pane wood windows add character to an old home,
but even with storm windows, they're not nearly as energy efficient as modern
dual-glazed or thermal windows. While most old homes lacked insulation in
outside walls and attics, the tight homes built today insulate against high
heating and cooling costs. And air conditioning has evolved from large, loud,
watt guzzlers to smaller, quieter, less-expensive systems.
Construction
According to an article in the Charlotte Observer ("Older better? Or is
new? Weigh the advantages, disadvantages of both," December 9, 1998), wood
used by builders comes from young, fast-growing forests. With growth rings
spaced far apart, the wood is inherently weaker and more prone to rot. Before
the 1980s, commercially available wood was harvested from old-growth forests,
which produced dense and durable lumber.
Some owners of new homes complain about flimsy
materials; thin, plasterboard walls; and shoddy workmanship. Still, new homes
often benefit from new technology in building and designing. Homes tend to be
designed with more windows to create an open, airy feeling.
Wiring
A turn of the century home may have outdated knob-and-tube wiring. Even a
recently built home may have an inadequate fuse box-style panel that falls
short of the energy demands of 21st century families.
Plumbing
Long ago, before we understood the effects of lead exposure, lead pipes were
standard equipment. Over the years most homeowners have replaced them with
galvanized pipes, which have been found to corrode. Although copper piping is
now the product of choice, fittings connecting old lead or galvanized pipes to
the copper piping may be vulnerable to corrosion.
If the charm and beauty of an old home wins your
heart, hire an inspector to evaluate the home for lead paint, insect and water
damage, lead and/or galvanized pipes, outdated wiring, foundation problems and
energy efficiency, including windows as well as heating/cooling systems and
insulation. After you get the all clear, you have one last consideration: Does
the home fit your lifestyle? Only you and your family have the answer.
Contact
Chuck for more information to
help you decide. He specializes in both new construction and historic homes.
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