Renovating Older Homes in Tacoma: What to Know Before You Remodel

Tacoma, Washington, is a great place to live. From the vibrant cultural scene to the breathtaking views of the great outdoors, Tacoma has it all. And while there is a lot of new construction in this popular city, Tacoma also has its share of older and even historic homes, especially in neighborhoods like the North End. If you’re lucky enough to own an older home in the Tacoma area, you know the appeal: wonderful craftsmanship, unique architecture, and established communities. But you might have also experienced a few pain points: outdated layouts, systems that need repair, or even just small footprints that need breathing room. 

Renovating an older home can bring incredible results as you modernize and update a gorgeous space. But it has its challenges as well. Remodeling requires thoughtful planning, expertise, and a respect for the home’s age and design. Keep reading for all you need to know.

Understanding Tacoma’s Historic Housing Landscape

While it’s hard to pin down a median home age in Tacoma, many older homes were built in the early 1900s, with some dating back as far as the late 1800s. But even if your home is around thirty years old, it’s likely time for some renovations. As homes age, their systems begin to wear out, and their materials and finishes become dated. Remodeling an older home is rewarding because you not only repair and replace older parts of the home, but you also breathe new life into its layout and function.

If your home is historic, there are some special concerns involved in renovating it. You may need special approvals and permits, as well as oversight from the historic district. If your home isn’t technically historic—just older—you can talk to your contractor and see if any of these considerations apply.

Start With Structural Integrity: What’s Behind the Walls Matters

While it's not the most exciting part of a home renovation, making sure your home is sturdy and structurally sound is the highest priority when renovating an older home, to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Assessing the Foundation

Over time, foundations can shift and crack. When remodeling an older Tacoma home, make sure to look for signs that the foundation needs repair:

• Cracks in the basement floor

• Cracks near the corners of doors, windows, and fireplaces

• Sticky doors and windows

• Nail heads popping through drywall

• Sloping floors

• Cracks or a leaning chimney

Addressing these issues is vital to preserving the soundness of your home, preventing project delays, and avoiding having to do the work over again if more foundation issues occur.

Evaluating Framing, Joists, and Beams

Joists and beams are both structural elements that support the home’s weight. In older homes, it’s important to check that the original wood is still in good condition. If you notice sagging or cracking, be sure to let your contractor know. Whether or not there is visible damage, a good home remodeler will check all the structural elements of the home, and reinforce or replace beams as necessary—both for safety and to meet today’s building standards.

Updating Essential Systems: Bringing Your Home Up to Code

A common problem in older homes is systems that need to be repaired, replaced, or modified. 

Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical

Older homes may have systems that are undersized, outdated, not up to code, or even unsafe. Faulty wiring or old pipework can cause damage to your home and property. Updating these systems can be expensive and take a while, but the peace of mind will be worth it. Other benefits include:

• Increased performance. Your older Tacoma home will function better in every way when its systems are up to date.

• Better efficiency. With newer electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, your home will be much more energy efficient, which is good for both your wallet and the planet.

• Future-proofing. Newer systems don’t need as much repair, and with good maintenance, will last a long time.

HVAC and Ventilation

Many older Tacoma homes lack proper ductwork or insulation, making them drafty and hard to keep warm. This can make them uncomfortable, but it can also lead to issues with moisture and mold if left unchecked. Upgrading the HVAC system improves both comfort and humidity control.

Windows and Doors

While older, single-pane windows are charming and nostalgic, they can also be notoriously inefficient. And today’s doors offer added security and insulation with many options to choose from. Your designer will be able to help you choose new windows and doors as needed, balancing design and function to make your home safer and more energy efficient.

Identifying and Mitigating Hazards in Older Homes

Your home should be the safest place in the world for those you love. If it’s not—we want to do something about it. Sometimes older homes have issues that need professional testing and remediation in order to protect your family.

• Lead paint: Common in homes built before 1978, lead paint can be dangerous when it starts to deteriorate, flake, or chip.

• Asbestos: This is often found in flooring, insulation, siding, and ceiling materials in older homes and requires professional removal.

• Mold: Most likely to be found where moisture intrusion occurs, such as roof leaks, basement walls, and around poorly sealed windows, mold can be toxic.

The Role of Thoughtful Design: Blending the Old and New

While structural work, systems, and remediation are important parts of renovating your older Tacoma-area home, they’re not the fun parts. The delight and excitement of remodeling come in when design begins. When you team up with a design-build contractor like Massey Remodel + Design, you work closely with a professional designer to plan your remodel from floor plan to paint color. Through 3D renderings, mood boards, and more, you get to see your dreams take shape as they move from plans to reality.

Working with a design-build team is especially important for older homes. You want to modernize it, make it work for your family, and still hold onto the charm you love. Blending the older parts of the home seamlessly with the newer aspects is important for a unified look. Your designer will help you

• choose appliances, finishes, and paint colors that complement your home’s style.

• match or intentionally contrast with existing wall textures.

• respect rooflines and architectural features.

• ensure new materials and layouts feel connected to the home’s history, and not like an afterthought.

Designing Additions for Older Homes

When your home is feeling too small and isn’t supporting your lifestyle anymore, an addition might be just what you need. Anytime you add space to your home, you want the addition to look like it’s always been there, part of the original structure. For an older home, this can be a little trickier. But a good team of designers and builders will know just how to accomplish this goal.

Your team will consider the roofline, exterior materials, and window styles, as well as the interior transitions between the old and new spaces. By attending to every detail, they will ensure structural and aesthetic continuity, giving you more room without compromising the look and feel of your existing home. 

Energy, Technology, and Lighting for Older Homes

One of the benefits of remodeling an older home is getting to increase its energy efficiency. Replacing windows and doors is an easy way to do this, but there are other options as well. Adding insulation in walls and the attic, air sealing, and updating the HVAC system will make your home more pleasant and more efficient. Your contractor will be able to talk to you about your specific home and make suggestions to decrease your carbon footprint and increase your comfort level.

Smart technology in homes isn’t a trend—it’s here to stay. Remodeling your older Tacoma home gives you the perfect opportunity to add smart features that you’ll love. Consider the following options:

• Smart appliances in the kitchen

• Smart thermostats throughout the home

• Security systems and lighting

• Smart bathroom features like programmable showers and heated floors

Installing tech cleanly in older homes means planning it early in the process, so wiring and controls can be hidden or integrated into the design.

Many older homes lack the natural lighting that we like to see in newer spaces. Enlarging windows or changing their placement while keeping the charm and feel of the home is one way to increase lighting. Other options include skylights, dormers, and sun tunnels. And purposefully layering lighting in each room (overhead lighting, lamps, accent lighting, etc) will make the home feel warm and cozy when the sun goes down.

Renovating Your Older Tacoma Home with Confidence

Remodeling your older home is a deeply rewarding and beneficial experience. But it does require specialized expertise and know-how to make it the best it can be. Your team will assess and repair the existing structure, update systems as needed, and blend the old with the new. Working with an experienced design-build team will allow you to preserve the character and charm you love about your home while making it safer, more efficient, and a better fit for your family. Contact us today and let us help you renovate your Tacoma home, transforming it into the perfect place for you and yours.