Renovating your dream cottage?

If you ask people about their dream home, many of them will say they want a lovely little cottage in the countryside. In fact, cottagecore became incredibly popular during the pandemic. However, in many cases people want to take on the project of renovating the property so they can combine the classic style with modern living standards. We want to have a closer look here to discuss the major things to look at. Then, if you want help from an architect in London, you can rely on us.

Thatch

One of the things people love about cottages is traditional thatched roofs. Sadly, you're unlikely to see them in many part of London because of a historic ban after the Great Fire. They are a lovely feature, but you need to think carefully about what it means to have one.

The most important thing from a renovation standpoint is it takes a lot of skill to thatch a roof. There are only a small number of thatchers left in the UK. So, if you need to renovate a roof, there can be a very long waiting list. Plus, you need to think carefully about materials. High quality water reed is the most expensive option, but can last longer.

Original beams

From an architectural point of view, nothing comes close to the aesthetics of original beams in cottages. They are a vital piece of character and make rooms far more interesting. If you are renovating, you should definitely do all you can to retain them. Discuss it with us if you want to work with a top architect in London.

The most important thing is many cottages will have black beams. It was a popular to paint them to contrast with white walls. Today though, people want a more natural look. Some old paints also contain harmful elements that people don't want escaping into their home. Getting rid of old paint is possible, but you need to take care to make sure you don't cause damage.

It is also important to consider that old beams can have issues with rot and pests. You'll need to treat any problems during the renovation.

Flagstone floors

Beautiful flagstones are a lovely feature in traditional cottages. They have an amazing rustic look, and get better with age. However, they can cause some problems with the fact they can get very cold. Previous owners may even have painted them or there could be old stains.

The lucky thing is you can renovate flagstone floors. Lifting the flagstones can give you the option to install insulation and a protective membrane. It can tackle the cold problem. You can also clean them to remove paint and stains. Finishing with boiled linseed oil is an absolute must to seal them. Make sure you avoid any products that would compromise the breathability.

Windows

As a top architect in London, one thing we appreciate is the importance of key features. The windows definitely fall into this category. If you renovate a cottage, you can't just rip them out and put new ones in. That is the easiest way to ruin the character. Instead, you need to think carefully about what to do.

The goal with cottage windows should be to renovate them sensitively and see how you can improve energy efficiency. You can tackle draughts and many other problems. Double glazing may even be an option. Even timber windows suffering from rot may be salvageable; it may be an option to replace rotten sections, including sills, or cut and fill smaller sections.

The exterior

Finally, your renovation may require some work to improve the exterior of the property. Traditionally, most cottages have a white render. It protects the walls, preventing moisture penetration. Over time though it can suffer cracks or blow out, leaving patches of exposed wall. Luckily, you can get repairs. Just make sure that you work with professionals and they use the right materials to retain breathability.

Get your dream cottage with help from a top architect in London

Renovating any kind of property can be a big challenge, especially if you want to modernise in the process. It can be an even bigger job with a traditional cottage. You need to think carefully about your plans and how you can retain all the character.

Coffey Residential is the ideal team to work with if you're looking to create your dream high end home. We can work with any brief, including new builds as well as renovations. We can even do sensitive extensions and other alterations.

So, get in touch and let us know what you have in mind. You can also view our portfolio to get a better idea of the things that make us a top architect in London.