Roof

If you’re restoring a character home, you are best to retain the original style of roof – which for Queenslanders is tin (or corrugated iron). For the California bungalow style – roofing varies from galvanised iron through to terracotta tiles and fibrolite shingles for the more Spanish styled homes. Whatever the roof style, it must meet modern code, and we suggest including insulation. Up to 35% of heat enters the house in summer via the roof, and up to 40% of heat leaves through the roof in winter. Light coloured roofing materials and ventilated eaves also help to minimise solar heat entering the house.

External Walls

Queenslander style homes are timber clad, and these days we recommend inserting insulation on all external walls to help with heating and cooling. Some that have been lifted may have brick or breeze block lower walls, which do clash with the upper levels. We can replace these with timber cladding, or render and paint to match the upper level, depending on budget.

Post war styles saw the emergence of fibro and stucco walls. We recommend replacing fibro with cladding or bricking and rendering.

Windows

In character homes, windows were positioned to maximise airflow and we strive to maintain this with all restorations and renovations. To preserve character, we suggest not mixing window styles. If the house pre-dates the mid 1920s, we use all double hungs (or casements only if the original building had them). As ceiling heights fell in the 1930s and 1940s so did window heights, with the style change to 1200 high casements. Other modern and popular window styles include sliding, louvres and bifolds.

Original Queensland houses used window hoods on all external windows that were not protected by verandahs because hoods provided sun protection, privacy and made original joinery weather tight. Hoods are made from metal or timber and usually contain decorative features. Original Queenslanders didn’t have fly screens, but these days there’s a variety of options, including retractable, magnetic and sliding.

Verandas

Front and back verandahs, even side verandahs are characteristic of all Queensland style homes. During the war and post war years a lot of verandahs were built in to provide extra rooms – eg: sleepouts. These days most owners prefer to restore verandahs to create more outdoor living areas. Decorative features are usually added inside and out and include embellishments such as balustrades, column brackets, gables, louvres, lattice, battens, coloured glass and transoms. They look beautiful but also help to provide privacy, sun protection and direct air movement.

Decks higher than 1 metre off the ground must be enclosed with a balustrade. Staircases which ascend more than 1 metre also require balustrades.

Flooring

Most Queenslander style homes have tongue and groove timber floors in all rooms, except the bathroom which is usually tiled, and sometimes the bedrooms are carpeted. We’ll inspect all the floors to ensure there’s no damage, and try to match existing floor styles in new areas.  We can arrange for timber, carpet, vinyl and ceramic floor tiles. Vinyl and ceramic tiled floors must be laid on a completely level surface, and may need extra preparation work.

Walls

Most Queenslander styles have VJ walls. Originally the boards were single and applied one by one. These days we use VJ sheeting which provides exactly the same look, but without all the gaps which emerge with heating and cooling. Some that were remodelled last century could contain asbestos sheeting. If that’s the case, we will arrange for safe removal. If you prefer plasterboard for internal walls, we’ll organise that for you. We also recommend insulation on the inside of all external walls. Wainscoting and/or picture rails were also popular finishes on high walls.

Doors

Traditionally front and rear doors in older homes are solid timber, often with glass or stained glass inserts in the door. Many houses have French double doors leading out to verandas. Internal doors are also timber and often have a pivot fanlight or fretwork panel above. Although we do like to restore original doors if they’re worth keeping, sometimes it’s better to replace them with modern replicas or more functional designs, as long as the overall character of the house is not compromised.

Ceilings

Traditional Queenslanders have three metre high ceilings which assists with cooling and airflow. Roof ventilators are also used to provide rapid escape of hot air. Ceilings can be constructed from tongue and groove or plaster. Ceiling roses and cornices provide beautiful decorative features.

Wiring

The switchboard and wiring in homes more than 30 years old generally needs to be replaced, as it was never designed to cope with the load of today’s quantity of electric and electronic equipment. Old wires and cables were insulated with rubber, which tends to degrade and crumble away over time. Modern wires are insulated with PVC, which is durable and has low conductivity. Exposed wires can cause regular electrical faults and fires. We work with you to develop a wiring plan that gives you the outlets and lighting where you need them, and a switchboard with safety switches to meet code.

Plumbing

Older houses were plumbed with galvanised pipe, which tends to corrode and seize up, causing a myriad of plumbing issues, including low water pressure.

Our team can do a full inspection of the drainage plan and existing pipes and look for signs of leakage, rust, cloudy water and mould to determine how much, if any, will need repairing or replacing. You can purchase the drainage plans from your local council which will help assist us in accessing your proposal.

Decorative Features

Most older homes were finished with decorative features such as verandah brackets, archways, handrails, barge boards, cornices, fretwork, fireplaces,  etc.  These are the elements which give them their charm, and yet were often removed during renovations in the latter half of the 20th Century. Thankfully we have built up great relationships with several renovation materials suppliers in Brisbane and can usually find the right pieces to restore your home to its former glory.

If you want to be really authentic, we can show you where to obtain such treasures as bakelight connections, old phones, brass hooks and door furniture – just about anything old. It’s the decorative features which usually add the most value!

Lighting

The original lighting in old homes usually only consisted of pendant lights, with some wall lights. Whilst pendant lights provide original charm, we recommend adding recessed lights and directional lights to task areas. We also recommend installing modern security and garden lighting.

Cabinets and Fixtures

The charm of old houses doesn’t usually extend to kitchens and bathrooms. These are the two areas where complete renovations are required to bring functionality up to meet today’s standards. We recommend installing modern fixtures, but if you wish to maintain the period charm, then shaker or tongue and groove cabinetry with appropriate benchtops and tiling looks very effective.

There are many beautiful kitchen sinks (eg: butler sinks), vanity basins, baths, toilets and tapware available these days to complement period restorations. The choices are endless.

Tiling

Black and white tiles in square and hexagonal patterns look beautiful on bathroom floors if you’re looking for a modern version of period charm. On walls in bathroom and kitchens, the choices are endless, but if you want to retain period charm, then subway tiles are a great choice.