As the old year fades and a clean slate beckons, many homeowners find themselves eager to embark on a new chapter – and what better place to start than the roof over their heads? When it comes to home renovations, the roof is often an overlooked area, yet it can make a profound impact on the overall aesthetic, functionality, and value of a property.
Embracing the Challenge of an Old House
I’ll admit, tackling the renovation of an older home can be a daunting prospect. When my husband, Renaissance Man, and I purchased our 1908 Victorian fixer-upper, I found myself in a whirlwind of emotions. After all, we had just said goodbye to our beloved Wild Rose Farm, a dream we had poured our hearts into for years. Letting go of that vision and embracing a new adventure was no easy feat.
As I shared on my blog, My Place to Yours, “I needed time to put down one dream and try to pick up another.” But with a fresh start ahead, I knew I had to make a choice – to move forward intentionally and bravely embrace the wonderful gift of this historic home.
Uncovering the Hidden Gems
One of the joys (and challenges) of renovating an older house is the process of uncovering its hidden gems. When we started tackling the master bedroom, we encountered a delightful surprise – the original entrance between the bedroom and bathroom. “It was only when we removed the door on the left that we realized IT was the original entrance between the two rooms,” I recounted. “The door on the right was the afterthought.”
Moments like these are what make old-house renovations so rewarding. It’s like peeling back the layers of history, revealing glimpses into the home’s past and the stories it has to tell. Each discovery fuels our excitement and inspires us to thoughtfully preserve the integrity of the structure while infusing it with our own personal touch.
Bringing in the New, Honoring the Old
As we set our sights on the new year, Renaissance Man and I knew it was time to start making our mark on this beautiful old house. We began by bringing in some of our cherished treasures – like the rough but beautiful old farm table we had purchased at auction long ago. Placing it in the center of the soon-to-be-renovated kitchen, we surrounded it with a mismatched set of card table chairs and set the table with a hole-y tablecloth and paint-splattered linens.
As Curly Girl Steel shared in her blog, sometimes the most meaningful spaces are those that reflect our imperfections and life’s journey.
In that moment, as our retiring friends joined us for an impromptu supper, I couldn’t help but feel God’s gentle reassurance that everything was going to be okay. The worn and weathered table and linens were a physical manifestation of my own emotional journey – a testament to the fact that even in the face of lost dreams, laughter and hospitality could find a home in this space.
Tackling the Roof Renovation
With the interior renovations underway, our attention naturally turned to the roof – the backbone of any home. As the experts at Southern Roofing Company know, a well-maintained roof is essential for protecting the structure and ensuring the longevity of a home. And for an older house like ours, the roof renovation would be a crucial step in making this space truly our own.
One of the first decisions we faced was the choice of roofing material. Shawn, my Curly Girl Steel co-author, had been considering a standing seam metal roof, a popular option for its durability and aesthetic appeal. However, as they delved deeper into their research, they stumbled upon another intriguing possibility – a spray-on roofing material commonly used on commercial flat roofs.
The appeal of this approach was twofold: not only would it provide a seamless, watertight solution, but it also meant that the top of the roof would not be visible, allowing them to focus their attention and resources on the more prominent aspects of the home’s exterior.
Another key consideration was the roofing system itself. The Curly Girl Steel team had decided on SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) for their roof, a choice they had made after taking a professional course on SIP installation and recognizing the benefits of this innovative technology.
“We have decided on SIP structural insulated panels for our roofing system,” Shawn shared. “We met Michael from Fischer Sips several years ago at The Louisville Home Show, and we took a professional course on SIPS installation and decided that was what we wanted for our roof.”
The use of SIP panels not only enhances the insulation and energy efficiency of the home but also streamlines the installation process, making it an attractive option for DIY-inclined homeowners like Shawn and Curly Girl.
The Importance of Preparation and Planning
As with any major home renovation project, thorough preparation and planning are crucial to ensuring a successful outcome. For the Curly Girl Steel team, this meant tackling tasks like:
- Finalizing the truss system that would support the roof
- Exploring various roofing material options, from standing seam metal to spray-on coatings
- Collaborating with local contractors and suppliers to source the necessary materials and expertise
As Curly Girl Steel shared in her blog, the team had already laid the groundwork for their container house project, including pouring the basement, installing radiant floor heating, and strategically placing the shipping containers. Now, as they turned their attention to the roof, they were well-positioned to tackle this next phase of the renovation with confidence.
Embracing the Journey, One Step at a Time
As I reflect on our own journey with the 1908 Victorian, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what the new year holds. While the road ahead may be paved with challenges, I’m embracing the process and looking forward to putting my stamp on this historic home.
As I expressed on My Place to Yours, “I have to make a choice not simply to keep moving forward. That decision had already been made. But I had to choose to move forward intentionally and willfully. Bravely perhaps, but choosing to embrace this wonderful gift of a house we’ve been provided.”
And as I look around at the rough but beautiful pieces we’ve already brought into the space – the farm table, the hole-y tablecloth, the paint-splattered linens – I can’t help but feel that this house is slowly but surely becoming a reflection of our own unique story. It’s a reminder that the true heart of a home lies not in its pristine perfection, but in the laughter, hospitality, and love that we pour into it.
So, as the new year dawns, I invite you to join me on this exciting adventure. Whether you’re tackling a roof renovation, restoring an old house, or simply seeking a fresh start, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the discoveries, and trust that with each step, your house will become a home that truly reflects your spirit.