The UK is home to a vast array of historic buildings, many of which are still occupied and in use today. In fact, we have one of the oldest building stocks in Europe, with 32% of all non-domestic buildings built prior to 1919.
From their solid stone walls to natural slate tiles and lead roofs, these were built to stand the test of time using quality materials which were second to none. But the maintenance of these historic buildings is becoming ever harder, and it’s not just because of rising material costs.
Together with a shortage of skilled tradespeople and the increasing responsibility to protect historic buildings from environmental changes, landlords are facing the perfect storm, as surveyor Chris Bailey explores.
Chris, who specialises in historic buildings having previously looked after Windsor Castle, provides his top tips to help landlords ensure that their historic assets thrive well into the future.
You often hear phrases “they don’t build them like they used to,” and it’s so true, but the way that old buildings were designed originally does throw up certain challenges in today’s world.
Historic buildings were designed and built to be well ventilated because, traditionally, there was always an abundance of fossil fuels available to keep fires or central heating systems roaring. This prevented the build-up of moisture and decay. However, in today’s more environmentally-conscious world, where the built environment contributes a quarter of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, this is no longer the case.
In a bid to reduce energy bills and cut carbon emissions, we find that owners and occupiers of traditionally constructed buildings no longer heat or ventilate their buildings as much as in the past. Doors and windows are opened less regularly, and buildings are heated less, leading to moisture accumulation within the structure, exposing it to potential decay.
Not only this, regular maintenance and repairs are often delayed owing to the cost of carrying them out or because of difficulties finding appropriately skilled people to do the job. Ultimately, this has a negative impact on the building and could cost owners and occupiers of historic buildings more in the long run.
Rainwater goods such as gutters and downpipes are a typical example. Historic buildings were designed with shallow rainwater goods, but in today’s climate these can struggle to drain water away from buildings unless they are maintained on a regular basis. This inevitably leads to issues such as moisture ingress.
So, what fundamental principles should landlords and occupiers of historic buildings consider to ensure that their premises remain fit for modern use?