Department of Tourism and Culture

Restoration and maintenance resources

Parks Canada’s Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Place in Canada provides practical advice for proper preservation, rehabilitation and restoration to owners of historic buildings, engineering works, landscapes, and archaeological sites.

The US National Parks Service’s series of Preservation Briefs provide detailed guidance on historic home preservation, repair and maintenance.

 

Windows

Heritage magazine:

Improving Thermal Performance of Historic Windows by Craig Sims and Andrew Powter

Maintenance and Repair of Historic Wood Windows by Craig Sims and Andrew Powter

Repair or Replace in Historic Buildings: Arriving at a Sustainable Solution by Craig Sims and Andrew Powter

Windows in Historic Buildings: Sustainable, Repairable by Susan D. Turner

Vancouver Heritage Foundation:

“Your Old House” – Wood Windows by Bill Murphy, Vintage Woodworks

US National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs:

The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows by John H. Myers

 

Roofing

US National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs:

Roofing for Historic Buildings by Sarah M. Sweetser

 

Siding

US National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs:

Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings: The Appropriateness of Substitute Materials for Resurfacing Historic Wood Frame Buildings  by John H. Myers, revised by Gary L. Hume

Vancouver Heritage Foundation:

“Your Old House” – Wood Siding by Nicholas R. Bawlf, MAIBC Architect

 

Paint

US National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs:

Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork by Kay D. Weeks and David W. Look, AIA

Painting Historic Interiors by Sara B. Chase

Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing by Sharon C. Park, AIA, and Douglas C. Hicks

Vancouver Heritage Foundation:

“Your Old House” – Paint by Ken Marchtaler, Certified Coatings Consultant

Stripping and Finishing Wood Trim by David Dunnison

This Old House:

How to Strip Years of Paint Off a House by Jefferson Kolle

 

Logs

US National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs:

The Preservation and Repair of Historic Log Buildings by Bruce D. Bomberger

 

Moisture

US National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs:

Holding the Line: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings by Sharon C. Park, AIA