Restoration and renovation are two different things, but a few people tend to think the words are the same or misunderstand the functionality of each.

Restoration and renovation are common words used in the construction industry. You hear some people say, “I want to restore my home”, or “I want to renovate my workspace”. 

I know you have lots of questions on how to separate these two terms, this article will give a broad knowledge of what each term is and when to consider them if need be because understanding both will help you make the right decisions before embarking on any project.

Restoration

In layman’s terms, restoration is renewal. This is making the old come back to new, back to its initial look. For instance, having a white house for five years and you feel the paint is fading away and not giving the initial look, having a painter paint it back to white can be termed as restoration. In a nutshell, you didn’t have to think out of the box to get it done. Rather than renovating, you get to upgrade in this situation, making the house have the same look it had before.

When To Choose Restoration 

• Preserving Original Appearance & Design
• Compliance With Regulations
• Cultural & Heritage Preservation
• Cultural Tourism & Public Interest
• Respect For Local Identity
• Educational & Research Purposes
• Long-Term Preservation

Preserving Original Appearance & Design:

Having the original design and features most time can be a priority in this situation. In such situations, restoration will always be the ideal option in order to retain that initial, charming, and original structure, as this will keep the structure intact and more beautiful. 

Compliance With Regulation:

Certain situations could warrant maintaining the historical accuracy meant for a particular building. This kind of compliance comes with disciplinary if not adhered to, which can lead to a damaged reputation or financial losses.  

Cultural & Heritage Preservation:

Preservation and restoration play a significant role in cultural heritage as they help people learn about the past and give due respect to those who came together to get it done.

Cultural Tourism & Public Interest:

When a place is well known by all and has become a center of attraction where people from different places come to either whale away time or come to have a vacation center, it’s just best always to restore if need be; this is to help give the Public the same serene and atmosphere they’ve always enjoyed and makes them come more even in more significant number. 

Respect For Local Identity:

Restoration, in this case, happens when people are already emotionally connected to a building, which helps to identify a community or region. Restoration will help to maintain that connection in cases like this.

Educational & Research Purposes:

Buildings that serve as educational tools providing insights into specific historical periods, architectural styles, or construction methods are often candidates for restoration.

Long-Term Preservation:

Restoration is also a better option when the long-term goal is to ensure that there is no change in the critical visible components of the building, respecting the original form and intentions.

Renovation

We can simply say that renovation is the process of improving or modernising an old, damaged, or defective building. This is also making updates that are significant to upgrade a building to a modern standard of how builds are, in terms of the structure and aesthetic choice. Unlike restoration, you just have to keep it just the way it has been for years or decades. Renovation gives a better insight into the creativity of what a former can be turned into when things like how the building functions and the layouts can be fixed and furnished to modern technologies. 

When To Choose Renovation

• Cost Considerations
• Environmental Impact
• Quick Turnaround
• Market Demand
• Emotional Attachment
• Structural Soundness
• Community & Stakeholders’ Consideration

Cost Considerations:

When it comes to renovation, the first thing is to be sure you have the financial capacity even though it’s cost-effective. If there is a structure already, having to upgrade or update, it might be the best option to go for as this will, in turn, help to save money. 

Environmental Impact:

Renovating an existing building can be more environmentally friendly than constructing a new one. This will help in the reduction of looking out for new construction materials and also help to cut down on waste.

Quick Turnaround:

Time is money, they say. When it comes to renovation, time might be a great factor for some people. In this case, renovating will reduce time rather than building from scratch.

Market Demand: 

In some cases, a specific architectural style or design might be in high demand in the real estate market. Renovating to retain or enhance these features could add value.

Emotional Attachment:

The way we humans are wired is amazing atimes. Renovation can be opted for if the existing building has to do with a personal feeling or connection to someone or something dear. A building can hold a sentimental value, making renovation the perfect option as such individuals would love to hold on to the feeling that is connecting them to the building. 

Structural Soundness:

The strength and soundness of a building is a significant criteria people look into before renovation. If this aspect has been checked, renovation can be done with ease, as this will aid in helping to achieve the goals intended for the building.

Community & Stakeholders Consideration:   

If the building is a community landmark or holds value for stakeholders, renovation might be the preferred choice to maintain a positive relationship with the community.

Wrapping up:

It is advisable that a building should undergo restoration services if it shows signs of structural damage, water damage, mold growth, or deterioration. Additionally, if a building has not been maintained for an extended period, restoration services can help prevent further damage and ensure the safety of the occupants.

As well, renovation processes can be carried out when the owners of a building feel the need to renovate based on their personal tastes and needs. In all, the main difference between renovation and restoration is that the renovation is based on aesthetic modifications. In contrast, the restoration consists of structural repairs of elements that are in poor condition.