Queenslander homes are an iconic style of residential property found across the Sunshine state. They are distinct, unique, and can be characterised by a certain number of traits. They are traditionally a single detached house made of timber and lifted to allow air flow in the hot Queensland climate. Originating in the mid 1800’s, these houses have formed one of the most distinct and sought-after forms of architecture on the market. However, originating from the 1800’s and 1900’s means that these houses frequently need renovations to stay up to scratch and liveable.
If you currently live in a Queenslander home that is due for renovation, or are looking at purchasing one to update, here are 5 things to consider.
One of the most identifiable characteristics of these homes are the stunning floorboards. Originally included to aid in cooling the house in the hot summer heat, the floorboards are something that should be restored and kept if possible. This will allow the traditional character of the home to live on amongst other aspects of renovation. However, due to the nature and age of these builds, there is potential that some boards may need to be replaced. This can be where you may run into some problems. If some boards need to be replaced, you may not be able to exactly match them to the rest of the home due to their age. There are a couple of options that can be done here. You can either opt to replace sections of floorboards or rooms and match them as well as possible. Another option can be to replace the entire flooring and try to replicate the traditional flooring as close as possible. Either way, keeping timber flooring and not opting for carpet or tiles is the best option to preserve your homes history.
An issue that is particularly common when renovating Queenslander homes is the height of the downstairs area. If the home is currently lifted but not developed downstairs, chances are it may not be legal height. This can pose issues if you are considering building in downstairs and transitioning into a two-storey home. This is something that you will have to consider and may result in needing to lift the home to legal height.
The beautiful balconies that surround Queenslander homes are one of the reasons they are so well loved. When renovating, you need to decide whether you will maintain the balcony or build sections in to increase the space of your home. This decision is quite common, as most of these houses had a limited number of bedrooms in their original build. However, we recommend keeping some of the original balcony to maintain some charm and breeze in your home.
No matter what type of home you are renovating, the style of renovation is a key factor. When considering renovating a traditional home such as a Queenslander, this is even more important. Many homeowners choose to renovate in a traditional style to maintain the home as much as possible. This means preserving or replicating the roofing style, the flooring, the balcony, and even the French doors. Another popular renovation style emerging for these homes is the Hamptons style. A benefit of this style is that it is not a far stretch from the original design of these homes but has a modern twist to bring the home into the 21st century.
Traditionally, these homes were built with living areas at the front of the home. This allowed for ease when hosting guests and keeping bedrooms more private. However, this orientation is not always the best design when considering lighting. When renovating, consider the orientation of the home and where you would prefer the morning and afternoon light. You may be better off swapping some rooms around to make the most of morning light and avoid the heat of the afternoon Queensland sun. Home layout also comes into play when considering renovating the backyard. Due to their lifted design, Queenslanders don’t always allow for a seamless indoor-outdoor blend. If it’s in your budget, moving the kitchen and living areas downstairs to blend into the backyard and pool may work best. However, this can be expensive, so sacrificing a unified indoor-outdoor entertaining area may be a decision you have to make to live in one of these beautiful homes.
Whatever your renovation decisions, owning a Queenslander home is always a fantastic choice. They are so full of character and are a part of a rich history and architecture. If you are looking at renovating a Queenslander home, contact TJ Bowden Constructions today. We are specialists at Queenslander renovations with over 60 years of combined experience.
