In the heart of every FadyReno project lies an unmatched dedication to quality. Whether it's the sleek finish of a newly remodeled kitchen, the inviting ambiance of a freshly painted living room, or the grandeur of a custom-installed staircase, every detail is a testament to FadyReno's commitment to excellence. Their services don't merely alter spaces; they transform lifestyles.
Two new terms on the block, eco-vation or eco-renovation is the process of improving the energy efficiency of an old home to make it less draughty, more economical to run and a lot more comfortable to live in.
There are two main ways to ensure your finished renovation is eco friendly. Firstly, you need to minimise the amount of heat your home uses to keep its occupants warm, and secondly, minimise the cost of producing the heat that it does require.
Draught-proofing is essential, but you should also prioritise wall and loft insulation. Upgrading the boiler and heating sources (such as old radiators) will also help to reduce heating bills, as well as creating a more comfortable internal environment.
Easy draught-proofing measures include adding draught seal, repairing damaged and ill-fitting windows and doors and the use of draught excluders.
Insulating old houses can involve adding in cavity wall insulation (providing you have cavity walls), adding internal wall insulation to existing solid walls, which will then require plastering, or adding external insulation (an option for those carrying our an external make-over or re-rendering).
You might also consider replacing single glazing with double glazing, although this will depend on the affect it will have on the overall appearance of the house and whether it is permitted under your planning permission.
Designed by Piers Taylor of Invisible Studio, this extension was part of a renovation to a dilapidated folly — eco friendly upgrades included extra insulation and photovoltaic panels. (Image credit: Jim Stephenson)
Once the roof structure has been repaired (or built in the case of extensions), felted and battened, the entire structure should be made weathertight to keep out the elements and to secure the building.
Whilst the scaffold, is up check that any chimney stacks and pots are stable and clear, put on bird guards, and to repair lead flashings around the chimneys, in valleys, on hips, dormers and any abutments.
If any new parts of the roof intersect with the old, it is always preferable to match the existing/original roof covering either by buying reclaimed tiles/slates or by replacing one plane of the roof at the back and using the salvaged tiles/slates at the front.
Doors and windows can also now be installed and glazed. Where doors and windows are not yet on site, the openings should be covered in plastic sheets or even better — boarded up.
This is also the ideal time to carry out decoration to external joinery such as fascias and soffits, barge boards and windows, render and timber siding.
For many people renovating a house, one of the main attractions tends to be the potential to incorporate original features that may still be in place — all of which add to the character and charm of old buildings.
Sadly, not all renovation projects will have survived years of neglect in tact, meaning original features might be missing or damaged. Work out which features are worth saving and which are later additions in order to avoid spending money unnecessarily.
Renovating a house presents homeowners with the opportunity to restore and embrace original features. Here the original staircase has been repainted to really make the detailed design stand out. (Image credit: Pete Helme Photography)
In some cases, the cost of repair work does not practically make sense and you may need to consider sourcing sympathetic, matching replacements. However, unless you are prepared to spend more, these replacements may not capture the fine detailing of the originals.
In order to retain the original character of your renovation project, there are certain features which you should pay particular attention to, including:
Rewiring and replumbing a renovation project are expensive jobs but both these projects offer you the chance to install systems specifically tailored to your lifestyle, your energy usage and can be designed around any future plans you may have for the house. Updating heating and electrics will also add significant end value to the property.
If you are lucky, you might find that the heating and electrics have been updated to a good standard quite recently, in which case all that will be required may be new radiators. Old radiators can suffer from cold spots caused by a build up of sludge — having them power flushed will be a big help in improving their performance.
Ceiling Painting ServicesOf course many people renovating a house and particularly those adding extensions will want to consider underfloor heating as an alternative to radiators.
Fitting new bathrooms is a common undertaking in house renovation projects — but don’t forget that an entirely new plumbing system may also be required. (Image credit: Walls and Floors)
In the case of most renovation and remodelling projects, an element of structural change will be necessary in order to make the house suitable for modern-day living.
Period houses were often designed to incorporate lots of smaller spaces and may have been subject to a hotchpotch of ill thought-out additions over the years, meaning the general flow of the layout can be left lacking.
You may want to extend or change the use of your spaces by knocking down internal walls, building out into the garden or perhaps making use of existing redundant spaces, leading to a basement conversion, garage conversion or loft conversion.
Many renovation projects require internal walls to be knocked down. Before removing load-bearing walls consult the advice of a structural engineer. You will also need Building Regulations approval. (Image credit: Getty Images/Mats Silvan)
Once internal stud wall frames can be built and any walls removed, flooring grade chipboard or floorboards can be fixed to joists, and ceiling joists can be added where required.
Once internal stud wall frames can be built and any walls removed, flooring grade chipboard or floorboards can be fixed to joists, and ceiling joists can be added where required.
Door linings can now be fitted ready for the plasterers to work to (these are added later for dry-lining), and window reveals and cills can also be inserted.
Once the first fix carpentry (including new staircases) is complete, new first fix wiring and plumbing work can be undertaken, including soil pipes and drainage connections.
With first fix complete it is time to look at plastering walls, apply plasterboard/dry-lining to ceilings and any stud walls (tacking), and to repair any damaged plasterwork/mouldings.
In an older buildings, avoid using modern metal angle beads around arises, unless you want crisp clean lines: instead use timber beads.
You also want to consider the type of plaster you use — many older houses will have been finished with lime plaster and adding a new modern plaster could well result in damp issues.
Make sure you protect the stairs and any other vulnerable features while the plasterers are in, as it is a messy job.
New floor screeds for the ground floor will be laid at this point, usually after plastering to help keep it clean, but some like to screed and then plaster in order to create a neater joint between plaster and floor.
If you are laying underfloor heating, the pipes or cable elements will usually be laid after plastering, so that the manifolds can be fixed in place, but before screeding so that the pipes and elements are covered.
Once plastering begins the house takes shape — be prepared for lots of dust and mess! (Image credit: Getty Images/James Osmond)
