Detailing Your Queenslander Renovation

Basically, renovation is the process of repairing, renewing, or restoring to good condition, mostly of older structures like houses and Queenslander renovations Moorooka, there are houses affectionately nicknamed Queenslander, in honor of the region.

Renovating homes in Queensland happen mostly to these homes fondly termed Queenslander. People see these old, iconic residences as the best representation of the region simply because people admire them for their distinctive looks.

These actually are older and beautiful house constructed years ago and preserved by their owners, old and new, so its looks and style are kept intact in all its pristine appearance.

Some of these houses had been renovated several times, mostly in the interior rooms to keep up with the times alongside with the wishes of its present owners.

Currently, Queenslander homes are considered one of Australia’s most beloved homes known for their styles. In real time, there are many buyers willing to pay a premium amount for a thoughtfully renovated Queenslander. As a result, they are fetching quite high values (compared) premium values when re-sold.

Like in most renovation projects, this one is specific to Queenslander houses. As such, there had been rules and certain steps one needs to consider in order to get the dream project rolling.

Permits

Even before thinking of renovation your Queenslander renovation plans, You need to go and call a local town planner to check on some of the relevant restrictions in place in your area.

If your house is registered under any character or heritage registers, you might need to organize several permits from the council to allow renovations to begin.

Asbestos check

This one is simple a necessity as it is It is essential to do a comprehensive asbestos check before starting your renovation. (Asbestos, formerly regarded as harmless to health,  was used throughout the building of homes in Australia up d even in parts of the world) until the 1980s.

Sometime ago, asbestos have been found to be one of the deadliest destructive materials known to man. It attacks the man’s lungs and even initiates the growth of lung cancer.

It must be removed by a professional asbestos specialist with an ‘A’ class removal license.

Assembling the team

Initiating on an old house renovation is a complex project. For this reason, it is important to surround yourself with the right professionals for this type of job according to their specialties.

Currently, there are many architects and builders that specialize in Queenslander renovations. They are the ones that can advise you on how to best improve and enhance your home’s unique features.

Budget

Setting a realistic budget is key for a successful renovation project. You can read our article on the average renovation costs to get started.

There are several companies that lined up to help you in the funding of your renovation free of charge.

Some of them can help connect you with a mortgage expert If you need to arrange finance to fund your renovation project, we can help connect you with a mortgage expert free of charge. All you need to do is provide them with some details online in 3 easy steps.

Indoor-outdoor flow

One of the unique characteristics of the Queenslander is that the structure is elevated. The main reason for this is to ensure the safety of the occupants safe, in the event of floods.

The unique design concept of this was also to keep the residence (and the occupants) cool. The elevation draws in the cold air.

Also, another way of getting around the issue is to use the dead space under the house by creating a multi-level dwelling. You can decide if you want your new kitchen, dining or living area on the lower floor that conveniently opens out onto a backyard.

Heating and insulation

These Queenslanders are particularly designed for tropical climates, even if they are found scattered all over Australia.

If your property is in the Southern parts of the country (where the temperatures get cooler), you should carefully consider the steps to take to make your home comfortable over winter.

One important step is to insulate the structure properly and seal all possible leaks. It works both ways. It helps you to keep the cold air from the outside getting into your home. On the other hand, it helps keep the he warm air from escaping from your heater.

Enhancing period pieces

Each Queenslander has its own unique design qualities. Sometimes, some of them have stain glass windows, decorative timberwork or some precious art deco door handles.

Do an audit of the historical features in your home and think of the best way to include them or even enhance them as part of your design. These historical details make a Queenslander special and should not be lost when renovating.

Lighting

the most common feature of Queenslanders are wide floor plans with rooms stacked side by side. The design leaves the interior rooms very dark. In addition, the low verandah roof restricts most of the sunlight coming in.

Your architect should know how to plan and strategically place your new windows and skylights. The main point is how to maximize natural light coming into the house. opening up the layout by removing internal walls can improve the light flow

Your renovation costs might rise significantly with the new placement of items. However, opening up the layout by removing internal walls will also improve light flow.

Orientation

Poor orientation is also a common problem of many Queenslanders, making them cold and dark. The original indoor layout ignored the passage of sunlight inside the house.

The best way to fix this is to plan a whole floor plan reshuffle. Consider how the sun hits your home at different times of the year, and then assign the best position for every room in the house.

Verandas

Verandas and the decks are one of the best features of a Queenslander. Both were normally found both at the front and back of the home.

Enclosing some of the verandas can improve the indoor/outdoor flow and create an ideal space for year-round entertaining. You can also add louvers and shutters to give you greater control over the elements.

Storage

Queenslanders have limited storage, with bedrooms not designed with built-in wardrobes. Ask your architect to help you create more storage space not only in the bedrooms, but throughout the house.