Seven points to consider if you are looking for a house where you can settle.
The option of buying village houses to renovate has become an increasingly common practice among both the people of the region and also visitors who are considering, once they know the area, to find a fixed location to stay.
The Marina Alta, north of the Costa Blanca, is an highly visited region, rich in landscapes, and with a very versatile offer of experiences. However, the interior of the region is quite unknown. Apart from the famous coastal towns such as Javea, Denia, Moraira or Calpe, the region hides an infinity of towns rich in historical heritage and with a very special charm that, increasingly, are an interesting option if you are a lover of tranquility, fresh air, the authenticity of the local and the living in small communities.
At Goodbye2000 we are more than just a design and architecture studio. We are a couple of young creators, architect and designer, who promulgate with our work a lifestyle that fits perfectly in this environment. Our way of working is characterized by a recurrence to the existing and to history, to re-visit and re-actualize both the architectural styles of the 20th century and the constructive techniques and the traditional materials. By applying in our projects all the legacy that has been left to us, we fulfill and improve contemporary needs by returning many times to the origin. This is originality.
From our studio we also offer advise and help you to find the perfect house. We as well manage and carry out all the redesign of the interior and exterior and the renovation works needed in each case. We are architects and interior designers, and we have extensive experience in the construction industry of the area. We have many recommendations to offer you in towns near the coast such as Benissa, Teulada, Gata de Gorgos, Pedreguer, Ordara, El Verger or even a little further inland in the valley as Líber, Xaló, Alcalalí, Orba, Sagra, Beniarbeig and Sanet y Negrals among others.
So if you are looking for a house that has a unique personality where you can settle and participate in the daily life of the municipalities of this region and its extraordinary history and heritage, this article interests you.
These are the several points to consider when visiting a village house to renovate.
1.- Existing Structure
2.- State of the existing roof
3.- Humidity problems inside of the house
4.- Existing flooring
5.- Insulation
6.- Kitchen and bathrooms
7.- Doors and windows
1.- First of all, the most important feature that is going to be crucial to estimate the feasibility of the renovation works of a second-hand house, is the state of the main structure of the house. It is possible that due to the age of the houses, some structural elements may need to be reinforced or even changed. But if the structure in general is in good condition and no cracks in the walls or deformed beams are visible, we will find ourselves in a positive starting scenario to carry out the renovation successfully. Modifying a specific structural element in order to re-organize the distribution of the house will also be possible in many cases.
In this house for example we realized, after removing the false ceiling, that both the wooden beams and the plaster vaulting were in perfect condition. So we proceeded to its simple restoration with paint stripper and wood strengthener.
2.- When visiting the house, it will also be easy to observe if the roof of the house is in good condition or not. Although we cannot access it, we can see if there are any leaks, filtration or humidity in the false ceiling or even if some beams, as long as they are visible, are damaged. It is quite common that the roofs may require some maintenance such as introducing structural reinforcements under the existing beams or even restate the existing tiles. Even so, these works are much less expensive than redoing a completely new roof, which would be the last option if it is in an advanced state of deterioration.
This is the case for example of a village house in Benissa that we are renovating at the moment, in whose project we have foreseen a reinforcement of the existing beams and a complete replacement of the roof tiles. Today it works as a new roof without having disbursed the cost of having done a new roof from scratch.
3.- In a first inspection it is quite easy to identify if there are moisture and capillarity problems on the ground floor. That is to say, if for example the paint of the walls is detached or swollen in its encounter with the floor, it will mean that there is some humidity, generally in first floors. If this is the case, do not panic because there is a solution, but it will probably be necessary to raise the floor a little by building a chamber that separates the new floor from the ground floor.
4.- If otherwise there is no problem of dampness, the existing floor is to your liking and is in relatively good condition, one option is to restore it. We are very much in favor of this option if the floor has a certain original character, such as some hydraulic tiles for example. It can give a lot of personality and uniqueness to the interior of the house.
This hydraulic floor from the early 20th century is going to be restored in a townhouse in Valencia. This other terrazzo floor from the 70’s that is in perfect condition is simply going to be polished in another project.
5.- Finally, properly insulating a house from both cold and heat is crucial nowadays. This item will be necessary in all the renovation works of many townhouses, so you also have to take it into consideration.
6.- Do not worry either if you see that the kitchen or bathrooms are to throw. These two elements are often renovated when a new owner acquires a second-hand home, whether for reasons of hygiene, taste or functionality.
7.- The existing doors are another important item in the renovation of a house. Generally the windows tend to be too deteriorated and do not meet the thermal and acoustic comfort requirements of today. However, existing doors, if they are of good quality, can be restored and even lacquered in any color and be used for the renovation project.
In this house in Alfafar we kept for example all the original doors that have a height according to the high ceilings of the house and also have original handles. In the house in Benissa, the entrance door was also stripped and varnished again to reinstall it.
