RESTORING A NEW ZEALAND HOUSE

By Christopher Cochran

First published by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, 1980 - this second edition published 1984

Large Card Cover, 101 pages, illustrations, colour and black and white photos

Victorian and Edwardian Homes: lovable, but are they liveable? In this practical guide, conservation architect Chris Cochran shows home restorers how to conserve and restore the best in our traditional domestic architecture, and adapt the rest to suit modern living requirements. Tackling problems ranging from the everyday to the unusual, he offers advice and guidance specially written for New Zealand conditions.

If your house was built before 1930, you cannot afford to be without this book.

CONTENTS: Foreword Author’s Preface
HOW BUILDINGS DECAY

• loads on a building
• decay of materials

EXAMINATION

• discovering the original form of the building
• what condition is the building in?
• sub-floor and floor
• exterior walls and joinery
• roof
• interior joinery and finishes
• electrical wiring
• plumbing and drainage
• chimneys
• what's good about the building architecturally?

PLANNING

• take care
• replanning
• taking down
• adding on
• using an architect
• the local authority
• tradesmen
• finance

EXECUTION

• sequence of work
• sub-floor and floor
• exterior walls and joinery
• roof
• colours
• interior finishing
• electrical wiring
• plumbing and drainage
• chimneys
• things to avoid
• maintenance

APPENDIX BIBLOGRAPHY GLOSSARY INVENTORY OF SPECIALIST TRADESMEN