The Listed Property Owners’ Club is expert in dealing with the challenges that owning a listed building presents. Here, we provide you with some guiding principles should you be looking to undertake repairs or alterations to your listed home. Remember to visit the Suppliers Directory to find trusted tradesmen and suppliers.

• It is always best to rely on tried and tested technology. Experience has shown that using modern building technologies alongside traditional building technologies frequently create tensions which are harmful to historic buildings and many have caused irreversible damage. One of the most vivid and widespread examples is the use of cement based mortars for re-pointing, rendering in solid wall buildings and infill panels in timber-framed buildings. Traditional buildings are typically constructed of soft permeable materials such as lime mortar, soft bricks and stone. The introduction of hard impervious mortars encourages moisture to dwell in the brick or stonework or in the timber frame, all of which will suffer from accelerated deterioration and decay.
• Waterproof membranes can be harmful to the building as well as its occupants.Inserting a waterproof membrane of any description in any traditional wall, floor or roof will prevent the building from breathing and result in concentrations of moisture which can be harmful to the building. Traditional solid wall buildings were constructed of permeable materials which absorb moisture when the weather is wet or humid and give it out by evaporation when it is dry. This is referred to as ‘breathable’ construction. Methods used in modern building constructions such as damp proof membranes, vapor barriers and any impervious layers should be avoided.
• Make sure that all the alterations to a listed building are reversible. In practice this means fitting the new around the old rather than altering the old to accommodate the new; avoid the loss of historic fabric of whatever age; avoid physically or visually invasive alterations; leave historic wall, floor or ceiling finishes unaltered, they all tell an important part of the building’s story and the patina of age is valuable and irreplaceable.
• Avoid ‘over restoration’. Carry out repairs when they are necessary but not before. If you need to undertake repointing or window repairs, try to keep as much of the historic fabric as possible and keep the repair to the areas that require it. Don’t replace the whole window if it is just the cill that is decayed. Remember it is the antiquity and age of the building which is its most valuable feature so treat it with care. ‘Over-restoration’ can result in a new looking building and a loss of historic fabric and character.
• Learn about what makes your building special: Before embarking on any project try to understand the building’s story and why it was listed in the first place. Read around the subject and speak to trusted experts. Remember that Listed Buildings are irreplaceable so we need to look after them properly for future generations.

Finally, remember that altering a listed building without consent is a criminal offence. The consequence of not applying can be serious so we always recommend that when embarking on a building project, large or small, the first steps are to take professional advice and to seek to engage with the local authority conservation officer at the earliest opportunity. 

You can visit the Suppliers Directory to search for products, suppliers and specialist tradesmen. Alternatively, we welcome you to contact us for impartial advice on
01795 844939 and we will endeavour to help solve your problems.