Episode two: August 2025
DEFINITION INFINITUM – RESTORATION VS RENOVATION
I think of definitions of repair-like work as being on a sliding scale. In fact, my work at any given time probably doesn’t fit perfectly within any exact known parameters. Add insult to injury and people everywhere, professional or not, annoyingly use terms interchangeably. The word Restoration is for example hackneyed, used out of context, and often far from its true meaning more than any other term in this genre. The main reason is modern trend – flavour. Restoration as a word, or restoring as a verb, has become fashionable no matter whether your preserving, renovating, or building from scratch! Never mind, for the sake of clarity, let’s consider the extremities – first and foremost – terms like Conservation and Preservation and at the other end of the scale, Renovation. In this context, I offer my own experience-based explanations below:
CONSERVATION/PRESERVATION:
This is for all intents and purposes, a purist approach. With a clear understanding that the item in question may be cleaned only. It must be done with due care and without harsh chemicals – to preserve existing patina and significant historical fabric. Significant, because this particular area can result in arguments more often than others. The degree of cleaning and/or preservation (what is kept and what is not kept) is debated through consultation with heritage officers’ and other experts. Not everyone will agree. Think of conservation, as in this historical oil painting work with Julian Baumgartner in Chicago
RESTORATION:
Restoration is similar to Conservation because it states the need to work only, with what already exists. Nothing can be added. You may however, remove a minimal amount. For example, sanding original floorboards. But how much sanding is ok and how much is not? Again, this is a category where experts weigh in often, blurring the seemingly logical. A modern screw sticks out of an original brass sash window brace, it obviously does not belong. You are “allowed” to remove it, that’s part of the restorative process – returning said piece to its original form. But one might argue that the screw is embedded by someone who lived there, well-meaning perhaps, along the way as part of the ongoing story? Moreover, what if the screw you removed was the only fastener securing the brace to the bottom rail and without it, the window no longer functions? But you cannot put another screw back instead, that’s not Restoration.
REFURBISHMENT:
This is a freestyle approach to Restoration whereby you are firstly, cleaning and lubricating. But in addition, you can remove odd or broken hardware and damaged sections or parts and, add replacements. Preferably period-correct hardware but not necessarily. Finishes may be removed, others added. Ideally the end result will show a “rejuvenated” piece which functions perfectly and looks as good as the original all the while preserving the historical charm.
RECONSTRUCTION:
In my work, I would frequent a category such as this because it is the first category which involves the option to add wood – to repair damages. The caveat being PCW, or period correct woodwork (and metal work etc). This means finding replacement timber of the same species, same old age, same grain structure and colour where at all possible and, using the same processes and joinery and tools as would have been used at the original time. This way the newly created surfaces, blemishes, and facets are all in keeping from an aesthetic, tangible, and historical perspective. This is not work anyone can do. You must have the correct tooling, the historical understanding, and the heritage skillset. A cordless drill, some silicone and a pocket full of staples won’t do.
RENOVATION:
This then would be my other main area of work. The historical context is only as viable as the operators’ ethical musings. In other words, if you care about the charm and history of what you are working on then that will permeate your repair work. if not … well then. There is no expectation of period-correctness in this case. Examples I see regularly include barrel sash window locks that bastardise sash window rails and require grinding to remove, chrome cupboard handles used for sash window lifts when originals are missing, screwing through the delicate stiles to fix upper sashes whereby the rope has broken, painting over original wood so it’s gone forever, screwing down floorboards, plaster boarding over original brick. Some of these examples seem bad, some, perhaps not, it’s up to the owner this time.
We want to be comfortable today, irrespective of the age of our homes. Modern amenities while respecting and nurturing the past, that’s the challenge. But perhaps, in stoic old buildings, some allowances are required? For as custodians of these vulnerable keepsakes, anything that will keep us from completely ignoring and therefore destroying, the priceless charm and storylines we can never get back, has to be worth thinking about.
Johnny – the sash whisperer
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