How do I find a builder and craftspeople to carry out work on my old house?

The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS) has a Directory of Traditional Building Skills where you can source lists of builders and other specialist contractors. Every entry has details of three projects carried out by the firm concerned which you can visit, with permission, and view the work undertaken for yourself. The web address is www.uahs.org.uk. or you can collect a copy of the publication, free of charge, by calling at the office in 66 Donegall Pass, Belfast.

The Irish Georgian Society (IGS) has a Traditional Building and Conservation Skills Directory which provides a Register of Practitioners. Their web address is www.irish-architecture.com/igs.

There are craftsmen and small contractors everywhere who do not advertise, nor do they appear in directories, and many carry out good work. They are only found through word of mouth; so enquire in your local shop or from your neighbours.

Where can I find help to restore an old building?

The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS), under its Home & Dry programme, runs events for anyone who owns an old building. Your building does not have to be either listed or in a conservation area. You will be made very welcome and you can take the opportunity of having a word with speakers during the event. For details go to EVENTS

Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is the statutory body responsible for listed buildings. They may be contacted by emailing bh@doeni.gov.uk or hb@doeni.gov.uk or through www.ehsni.gov.uk/contact or telephoning 028 9054 3145. They will also tell you whether or not your building is listed if you are not sure if it is or not.

If your building is unlisted but inside a conservation area then Planning Service (PS) is the responsible body. Go to The Law on the Home and Dry website and check how to contact your local planning office.

Are there any sources of funding for restoring an old building?

In Northern Ireland Environment & Heritage Service (EHS) currently give grants to the owners of secular buildings, listed grade A, B+ or B1, and to ecclesiastical buildings, listed A or B+, towards the repair and maintenance of eligible items which constitute the historic fabric of the building. In exceptional circumstances grant may be paid when the approved alterations replace previous inappropriate works. Listed building consent is required for any works that may affect the character of a listed building and advice should be sought at an early stage. [See above for EHS contact details]

The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society has compiled a Directory of Funds for Historic Buildings Northern Ireland which can be obtained from their offices at 66 Donegall Pass, Belfast.

It should be noted that most sources of funding, with the exception of EHS historic building grant, described above, are only applicable for historic buildings in public or charitable ownership.

Why should I use lime mortar and not cement when restoring my building?

Cement is used in the construction of modern buildings. It sets quickly and is a hard, brittle material. It is unsuitable for use in most buildings erected before 1900.

Traditional construction methods used lime which is a softer, slow setting material which allows for settling and minor movement. It is also mildly porous which allows moisture to evaporate and escape from the building. Lime has an additional environmental benefit as it cleans the air of carbon dioxide during curing.  

Cement render should not be used on the outside of an old building and is not a cure for damp. A thick porous lime plaster coating will give the best weatherproofing and durability results as well as being beautiful.

If you would like to know more about why you should use lime see www.buildinglimesforumireland.com

www.buildinglimesforum.org.uk

www.scotlime.org

My house is in a conservation area. Does that mean it is listed?

No. However, it does mean that your house is situated in an area designated as being of special architectural or historic interest. Conservation areas are attractive places to live and work and people are proud to be part of one. In order to maintain that special architectural or historic interest there are restrictions on how you can change your house. You must get Conservation Area Consent if you want to demolish any part of it. You also need permission to change historic features. Some conservation areas like Gracehill have their own websites – see www.gracehillvillage.org

My house is in an area of Townscape Character. What does that mean?

Areas of Townscape or Village Character are areas which exhibit a distinctive character based on their historic form and layout. They are designated mainly through development plans in order to protect or enhance their overall character. Planning permission is required for proposals which involve the demolition of buildings within ATCs. 

How often should I have my gutters cleaned?

At least once a year. If you live close to deciduous trees it is particularly important to clear the gutters when all the leaves have fallen. Maintaining your building and cleaning the gutters saves you money in the long term. This is because blocked gutters can cause damage to the fabric and allow damp to penetrate the building.

Can I change the windows at the back of my house as I think it is only the front of the house which is listed?

No. When a building is listed as being of special architectural or historic interest it is the whole building which is listed. Sometimes, elements of its setting, adjoining walls, gates and railings, are listed as part of the curtilage.

Often the windows at the back of a house are of particular interest. This is because windows at the front tended to be altered with changing fashions while those at the rear remained more original. Take a good look at your windows and see if they have old glass in them. This adds to the beauty and historic interest of the building.

A double glazing salesman told me he can provide plastic windows exactly the same as my wooden Georgian sash windows. Is this true?

No. Your house starts to lose its integrity every time you replace part of its original fabric – it is just like tearing out pages of a history book. Repair is almost always cheaper than replacement; it helps to preserve the character of your building and keep local traditional kills alive. Research by English Heritage revealed that it takes 60-100 years for double glazing to pay for itself in energy saving costs.

In Framing the View the author points out that ‘a wooden window frame saves energy both in use and production, uses a minimal amount of finite resources, is reasonably easy to maintain and repair, lasts longer than any product currently available and biodegrades or can be recycled at the end of its useful life. No other material meets these requirements and has hundreds of years of use to prove it’.

For more frequently asked questions on windows go to www.ehsni.gov.uk/built/buildings/advice_window.shtml