Just bought a victorian house - recommended books

[lindy]

Hello

I have been lurking on the forum for a few days picking up lots of tips from all you knowledgable people and have decided to join!

I have just bought a late victorian house (the surveyor thinks it was build in approx 1900) and I am very excited as this is our first house and has some lovely original features and looks like it has been well loved. The last owner died and all her family live abroad so unfortunately the only info I have on the property is what can be seen.

It does need some work doing to it and I would like to make some changes and reinstate some more additional features that have been removed. I have loads of questions but rather than bombard everyone with a long list I thought it might be best to maybe purchase a book and look back on the pages on this forum first. I see in the shop there are a few books available. Can anybody recommend any of them please? Would rather not by them all!

Thank you!

Lindy

 

[Nemesis]

Have look on the Victorian Society website. There are a number of good publications, especially the Vic Soc Book of the Victorian House.

http://www.victorian-society.org.uk/pubs.html

 

[lindy]

Thank you. Think I will get the ISBN no's and try and see what I can find in my local library.

 

[biffvernon]

Survey and Repair of Traditional Buildings: A Conservation and Sustainable Approach by Richard Oxley, pub: Donhead

is one to order from the library,
(as is just about everything published by Donhead).

 

[Gervase]

Have a look at Pamela Cunnington's 'Caring for Old Houses' (Marston House, 2002 - ISBN 1 899296 17 4) and Hugh Lander's 'The House Restorer's Guide' (David & Charles, 1992 - ISBN 0 7153 0003 2).
Lander's book is out of print, but you should be able to find it through Amazon - very comprehensive, but ignore where he suggests guaging mortars with cement.
The pamphlet from SPAB (linked on this site) on the need for old buildings to breath is an excellent primer, while Jane Schofield's indispensible 'Building With Lime' should find a place onto your shelves as well. And Richard Oxley's book is excellent.