How We Update Older Homes for Modern Living

by Rachel White

At Byggmeister, we have a deep respect for the character and craftsmanship of older homes, as well as their historical and cultural significance. We also know that people live very differently today than fifty, one hundred, or even one hundred fifty years ago. We ask more of our homes now, and we expect higher standards for comfort, livability, and energy performance.

Our goal is to adapt homes to serve contemporary needs while honoring what makes them worth preserving. Through careful design, thoughtful planning, and energy-smart improvements, we help homeowners enjoy the best of both worlds: historic character and modern functionality.

Here are the most common ways we update older homes to meet 21st century standards.

Improve the Building Envelope

Most of the homes we work on were built before insulation and air sealing were standard. Once central heating became common, people expected comfort throughout the home, but without proper insulation the only way to achieve that was by burning excessive energy. It wasn’t until the 1970s energy crisis that efficiency became a priority.

Today, building standards are far more rigorous, and although it can be challenging to bring older envelopes up to current expectations, there is a lot we can do to get closer (and sometimes even surpass) requirements for new construction. We start by air sealing and insulating where it matters most, typically the attic and basement. If walls are uninsulated and accessible from the exterior, we address them as well. Thicker insulation can be worthwhile but is often best paired with larger renovation work.

We replace windows and doors when they no longer function or are part of remodeled spaces, and sometimes we restore existing windows and add storms. When clients can temporarily move out, we often use AeroBarrier, a specialized technology that helps us achieve a much tighter envelope.

Upgrade and Electrify Systems

Older heating and cooling systems are often inefficient and uneven, with poor distribution that leaves some rooms uncomfortable. Modern heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, operate at variable speeds, and use far less energy. Today’s cold-climate models perform efficiently even below zero.

We also replace outdated appliances, particularly gas-fired models that can negatively affect indoor air quality. Heat pump water heaters and induction cooking are typically our go-tos.

Install Effective Ventilation 

Best practice for maintaining healthy indoor air quality is to build tight and ventilate right. On major renovation and retrofit projects, we install energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) to provide steady fresh air with minimal energy loss. We also ensure kitchens and baths have effective exhaust ventilation to remove pollutants generated by cooking and moisture generated in bathrooms.

When we install ducted heat pump systems, we specify MERV13 filters to reduce pollutants. In moisture-prone areas like basements, dehumidification prevents mold and improves comfort. Very tight homes may benefit from whole-house dehumidification in summer.

Modernize Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms in older homes rarely suit the way we live today. Kitchen use has expanded dramatically, and bathrooms built for past generations often no longer meet expectations. 

We work with homeowners to reimagine these spaces: opening kitchens to adjacent rooms, adding custom cabinetry and smarter storage, or configuring layouts so multiple people can cook, work, or gather comfortably. In bathrooms, we often replace cramped tubs with spacious showers, add double vanities, and improve storage to keep essentials accessible.

Maximize Underutilized Spaces

In older homes, valuable square footage often hides in plain sight. Unfinished attics and basements, abandoned chimneys, and underutilized corners can become comfortable, functional spaces with the right planning.

We love helping homeowners unlock this potential: turning an unused attic into a home office or primary bedroom suite, transforming a dank and musty basement into a clean, dry, and pleasant hangout space, or outfitting an entry with functional storage to organize comings and goings. The result is a home that feels better, is fully optimized, and is more livable.

Plan for Longevity 

When we renovate, we think beyond the immediate goals of the project. We measure success not just by how your home looks and feels in the immediate weeks and months after you move in, but by how our work meets your needs and performs in the years and decades that come. We ask: Will this still feel like the right investment in ten or twenty years? Will systems and materials hold up? Will spaces still support evolving habits and needs?

To ensure the answer is yes, we specify durable materials, follow best installation practices, and guide homeowners toward decisions that improve long-term efficiency, maintainability, and usability. We also anticipate future needs, like adding potential first-floor living space for aging in place, widening doorways for mobility devices, or designing rooms that serve multiple purposes over time.

Balancing the Past and the Future, Preservation and Performance

One of the most rewarding parts of our work is preserving character while meeting 21st century standards. We honor architectural style and retain elements that give a home its soul, such as exterior detailing, distinctive mouldings, and original flooring, while reconfiguring layouts and upgrading the envelope and systems.

Our approach maintains the charm that drew you to your home while delivering the comfort, efficiency, and durability you expect. It also helps ensure your home will continue to serve future generations, just as you’ve cared for and improved it for today.