Preserving Heritage: How Retro Construction Mastered the Reclad of a 100-Year-Old Villa
Working on a historic property, especially one approaching 100 years old, presents a unique set of challenges that modern construction rarely encounters. A full reclad on a villa requires not only technical expertise in weather tightness but also a dedication to traditional craftsmanship to maintain its original charm. At Retro Construction, we recently undertook a challenging yet deeply rewarding reclad project on a centennial villa, proving that 30 year industry experience and a commitment to creativity can overcome even the trickiest hurdles.
The Unforeseen Challenge: Missing Materials
Restoring a heritage home means confronting the reality that certain building materials aren’t available anymore. This was the exact obstacle we faced during the villa reclad: we couldn’t find a supplier that stocked the same weather boards required to seamlessly match the villa’s existing structure and period aesthetic.
Many builders might opt for a modern substitute, but maintaining the integrity of a 100-year-old property requires thinking outside the box and delivering quality building solutions. As the source states, it requires practical experience and thinking outside the box to overcome technical issues.
Creative Solutions: When Craftsmanship Meets Necessity
Faced with the material shortage, the Retro Construction team made the decision to take matters into our own hands. This demanded a time-consuming and meticulous process, but our commitment to providing a high standard of work meant delivering the precise profile the villa required.
Our solution involved bespoke fabrication:
- We used a router to create the drip edge.
- We engaged wood turners to achieve the desired profile cut.
This level of detail was applied meticulously, even over a demanding 6 m length, ensuring the new cladding was indistinguishable from the original boards. Our goal was simple: we didn’t let the client down. By combining this old-world attention to detail with modern efficiency, we managed to finish the priming and painting on the same day, resulting in another happy client and another retro project done.
A Foundation of Trust and Professionalism
While the hands-on creativity solves immediate site problems, the success of a major project like a villa reclad relies on comprehensive management. At Retro Construction, we underpin our specialist projects with our standard philosophy:
- Design & Planning: Our projects begin with proper upfront project planning. Our practical and creative designer, known for their eye for detail and ability to foresee issues, ensures the new reclad is designed to future proof the design while respecting the home’s heritage.
- Compliance & Management: We offer an all-inclusive service package. Our team manages essential documentation, including relevant council requirements, ensuring smooth progress toward achieving the final code of compliance.
- Staff Expertise: Clients can rest assured knowing their historic home is in the hands of highly qualified staff who are all either qualified builders or tradesmen. This enables us to maintain good project management, completing the renovation within budget and time.
We are committed to excellent communication, offering a friendly and respectful approach, which is particularly vital when undertaking extensive work on someone’s long-term home.
If your 100-year-old villa, or any historic property in Auckland, requires a delicate, expert reclad or restoration, choose the team that provides bespoke solutions and guarantees quality. Retro Construction is here to help you turn your vision into reality. Request an Estimate today to discuss how we can restore and future-proof your valuable heritage home.
