It is incredibly important that your home has strong, impermeable walls in order to stay dry, warm and structurally sound. Therefore, if some of your walls are looking a little past their best, it may be time to give your property some much needed TLC to bring them back to their former glory.
When it comes to reviving cracked, crumbling or leaky walls, you have two main options: a wall refurbishment or a rebuild. To help you decide which option is right for you, we’re taking a look at some of the pros and cons of each of these options.
Costs Of Refurbishment Vs Rebuild
If cost is your main consideration, wall refurbishment is definitely your best option. Wall refurbishment is almost always more affordable than new masonry. During a refurbishment, your existing walls will be repaired and made to look like new again. As much of the walls original material as possible is salvaged to maintain a lower, more affordable option
If you go for a rebuild on the other hand, you’ll need all new masonry and will essentially have to start the wall from scratch. Skilled labour and materials can be expensive, though this high initial cost can be offset in the long run by the durability of the finished walls.
Preservation Of Character
If you live in a period property, there’s a good chance that it was your home’s architectural features and character that made you fall in love with it in the first place.
Opting for a wall refurbishment will allow you to preserve this character and retain the unique look of your property while making the necessary upgrades to its exterior. You can use specialist masonry wall paint to match the colour of your refurbished walls to the existing parts of your property.
New masonry walls can be built to resemble existing structures, However, more often than not, newly built elements lack the charm of period features and adding brand new masonry walls can detract from the look of your property.
Timescales
Refurbishment projects are typically faster than masonry rebuilds. Refurbishments can generally be carried out quickly and with minimal disruption to your home and routine. This means you’ll be able to see results quickly and enjoy your newly renovated walls in no time.
Building masonry walls however, is a time-intensive process. It requires careful planning and execution, potentially extending the timeline of your project and causing a lot more disruption and inconvenience.
Thermal Mass
Masonry walls offer excellent thermal mass. This means that they’re able to store a lot of heat and slowly release this warmth back into your property, keeping you cosy when the temperatures tumble. As masonry walls help to regulate indoor temperatures, they can reduce your need for heating and help your home to be more energy efficient.
Because they help to seal gaps and repair cracks, both refurbishments and rebuilds should add to the thermal efficiency of your property.
What Next?
If your external walls need a little care and attention, we can help. Contact the team at LTI Transformations today to discuss your project and find out how wall refurbishments could help you maintain your home.
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