Category: News
Bought an old house that needs bringing back to life? You’re in for a treat.
Each restoration project presents fascinating puzzles that have to be solved to bring them to life while retaining authenticity.
After four decades crafting pieces for everything from Tudor cottages to Victorian terraces, the Tucker Joinery team has discovered a thing or two about the joy of working with period buildings.
Let’s dig into why going bespoke opens up possibilities you never knew existed!
Embracing a Property’s Unique Character
Step inside any house built before 1900 and you’ll notice immediately: everything has personality. This is craftsmanship from an era when every piece was individually made and fitted.
Period properties offer something precious – genuine individuality. Buildings with soul, character, and dimensions that aren’t exactly catalogue-friendly.
This creates wonderful opportunities for bespoke joinery. Where others see challenges, we see chances to create something truly special that celebrates your home’s distinctive character.
Own a Listed Building?
You’re the custodian of something historical.
While most interior features are not regulated, many commission pieces honour authentic materials, traditional construction techniques, and designs that celebrate the building’s original character.
Bespoke Windows – The Best of Both Worlds
Modern homeowners quite reasonably want comfort and efficiency alongside period charm.
The exciting challenge lies in creating windows that deliver contemporary performance while maintaining authentic character.
Bespoke windows open up remarkable possibilities:
- Historical celebration – Recreating original glazing bar profiles and proportions with precision
- Modern comfort – Incorporating advanced thermal performance without compromising beauty
- Authentic craftsmanship – Using traditional timber species and time-honoured joinery techniques
- Period details – Sourcing or recreating beautiful catches, hinges, and locks
Each window opening in your period home has its own story. Some preserve original dimensions, others reveal centuries of thoughtful modifications. Bespoke solutions honour this history while creating beautiful, functional windows for modern living.
Doors That Function and Look Great
Doorways in period properties rarely match modern standards. Heights vary wildly, widths change from room to room, and reveals have depths that depend on centuries of wall modifications and repairs.
Original door openings might be anything from 6’3″ to 6’8″ high, with widths ranging from 28″ to 34.” Some period doorways have settled over time, creating trapezoid shapes that would make standard doors impossible to fit – necessitating bespoke options.
Storage That Works With Period Features
Period properties aren’t always constructed with storage space efficiency in mind.
Some practical solutions include:
- Kitchen integration – Building around existing inglenook fireplaces, incorporating original bread ovens as display features
- Alcove storage – Crafting bookcases that fit perfectly into original chimney breast recesses, often with adjustable shelving
- Bedroom solutions – Creating built-in wardrobes that work around sloping ceilings and awkward eaves spaces
- Multi-purpose furniture – Window seats with hinged tops for storage, desk units that conceal computer equipment and cables
We can design storage solutions for period properties where standard furniture simply won’t fit. Each piece is measured and crafted specifically for your home’s unique dimensions, working with original features rather than requiring their removal.
Summing Up
Period property restoration demands joinery solutions that respect historical character while meeting contemporary requirements for performance and function.
Bespoke joinery solves practical problems – awkward dimensions, planning requirements, modern performance standards – while celebrating what makes old buildings special. The result is homes that feel authentically period while functioning beautifully for modern family life.
Ready to discuss your period property restoration? At Tucker Joinery, we offer deep joinery expertise and experience working on listed buildings and conservation projects of every shape and size.
Contact us to discuss how bespoke joinery can solve your restoration challenges while respecting your property’s heritage.
