# Old House Renovation with YOUR Input

- Link: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/old-house-renovation/
- Published: 2013-04-10T15:38:00-04:00
- Author: Ken Roginski

## **An Old House Renovation gives this Ugly Duckling House a 2nd Chance.**

Most old house makeovers are done badly and actually make the house worse giving
it bad curb appeal as you can see.

This house at 59 Broadway, Freehold, NJ is a victim of Bad Home Improvements and
in desperate need of help.
 Let’s rehabilitate this house together!**

**This old house renovation was performed live on [OHG Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/OldHouseGuy/)
as members submitted their input.  They were able to see this house made beautiful
right before their eyes.**

**_original post:_**

With so many of your Face Book comments and ideas you posted about this house, YOU
can now help perform an old house renovation and you don’t have to leave your computer.

[⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ⌉⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ⌉[

An ugly house before rehabilitation

I will make the changes graphically and post them here with explanations as the 
work is performed.  Your input on the changes can be sent via the comments section
below.  You will see each step as I update this page.

The house may not be perfect but we can improve it together.  From new windows to
what type of curtains and landscaping.

This will be fun for those who understand the problems with this house and a good
learning experience for those who are yet unable to recognize them.

**_You are invited to participate – bring your friends too!_**

**The following shows changes that were made to this house based on comments through
Face Book and email.  Here is what we did. . . . . .**

[⌊sanborn map 1916⌉⌊sanborn map 1916⌉[

1916 Sanborn map

To the right is a Sanborn Map.  If you do not know what they are, [here i ](http://www.oldhouseonline.com/where-to-find-sanborn-maps/)
[s a link that should help ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/sanborn-fire-maps/). 

See the outline of the historic house – #57

As you see in the current photo, a really bad looking one story addition was added
on from the front of the rear section to where the original porch ended. This map
is from 1916.  The dotted line shows the porch.

The main section shows a “2” which means 2 floors, and the back section shows a “
1” for 1 floor.  That back section is currently 2 floors.

I don’t know how old the house is but I am guessing 1890-1910.

As you see there is a 1st floor addition which really distracts you by the ugly 
design.  ** We will NOT remove this addition even though removal will greatly improve
curb appeal.**

The purpose is to show the impact of a more simple old house renovation.  Old house
makeovers do not have to be drastic to improve appearance.

Here is the house before they did their remuddling. It still looks bad although 
not as bad as it does after they remodeled it.

[⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ house before developers old house renovation⌉⌊59 Broadway
Freehold NJ house before developers old house renovation⌉[

This is the house before the developer’s did their old house renovation and made
it ugly. This addition is still a distraction. The original house must have looked
nice at one time.

## Let’s fix the awful 70’s style Mansard roof on the addition.

[⌊mansard roof⌉⌊mansard roof⌉[

This roof could not look more out of place.

**This roof style is a 1970’s version of a Mansard Roof** used on Second Empire 
styled buildings most popular 1865-1880.  This addition is bad and the roof which
doesn’t belong just makes it worse.

The roof here should be much flatter. This is an addition so there was not an original
roof.  Options are a shed roof or hipped roof.  I will construct a hipped roof. 
The problem with a roof here is that the addition goes back far and the roof when
viewed from the side would have a very shallow slope.

[⌊new hip roof on 59 Broadway Freehold NJ⌉⌊new hip roof on 59 Broadway Freehold 
NJ⌉[

Modified roof on addition.

**Here is a new lower roof – not much better.  Just not as noticeable.  I also added
a fascia and cove molding around the edge.**

## Next step – let’s remove vinyl siding.

[⌊old house renovation gets new siding on 59 Broadway Freehold NJ⌉⌊old house renovation
gets new siding on 59 Broadway Freehold NJ⌉[

Cheap looking Vinyl siding removed and replaced with wood. Real wood siding makes
a big difference for an old house renovation.

**[REAL wood siding ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/vinyl-siding/) – looks better 
already!**

Let’s keep the color the same as the plastic siding – it’s a nice green color and
good for the period of the house.

## Windows are most important for a good old house renovation

### What type of windows 2-over-2 or 6-over 1?

The votes are in for[ 6 over 1 windows ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/window-designs/).
Either would be correct for this house as would be 1-over-1.  We really don’t know
the year but I would guess it can be as old as 1890 ish and we know it’s on a 1916
map.

**I will install true divided light six-over-one wood windows.**

Notice on the original photo the[** monster sized window casings** ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/window-designs/).
Why would anyone install something like that?  How can the developer that did this
not realize that look so bad?  This is where the old house makeover really makes
an impact.

The new windows will have 4 1/4” casings and a simple drip edge on top.

[⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ house makeover gets new wood windows⌉⌊59 Broadway Freehold
NJ house makeover gets new wood windows⌉[

Six-over-six wood true divided light windows with 4 1/4″ casings are added to give
this old house makeover true historic character.

A note about the windows – they seem pushed to the side because of the angle the
photo is taken.

## A new period front door.

I need a new front door.  If someone has a photo or can find a good one on the internet,
please send me the link or email.  The image should be good quality and be at a 
similar angle.  Door knobs can be with the door or separately.  Don’t forget a light
fixture.

Curtains or roller shades, shutters and landscape to follow.

I changed the trim color from white to a light tan.  Tan provides a softer feel 
to the house.  There are many nice white colors – white does not have to be a bright
harsh white.  Unfortunately white is stigmatized for seeing [white windows ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/white-replacement-window/)
one would think they are plastic just because they are white.

[⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ new Victorian door⌉⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ new Victorian
door⌉[

A new door with casing.

Here it is with a new door and surround.  The house looks vacant with those bare
windows – time to add curtains.

[⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ gets new curtains ⌉⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ gets new curtains
 ⌉[

Curtains are added to new wood windows.

Here it is with curtains.  Now it’s time for [shutters. ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/shutters)
I thought of red since the green is a bit drab.  Black would also work nice.  Any
comments?

## Real Wood Shutters are a must for an old house renovation

[⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ gets new wood red shutters⌉⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ gets
new wood red shutters⌉[

New wood shutters bring the house to life.

Shutters are red. **Keep in mind that these images are drastically reduced in size
and quality for the web.**  My view when working on it shows every detail and shadow.
You can count the louvers in the shutters and see reflections in the glass.

## What this house needs is a Frieze Board at the top and a Water Table at the bottom.

[⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ frieze board and water table added⌉⌊59 Broadway Freehold
NJ frieze board and water table added⌉[

Frieze board trim is added to gable. Water table trim is added at base of house.

I did not continue this trim on the addition.  For one reason, we don’t want to 
draw attention to it.  Additionally the clapboard is lower along the foundation 
in that section and the water table should continue around the house at the same
height.  Above there is not enough space for a frieze board.

## Door Canopy

It’s not nice to leave your guest outside in the rain.  A canopy over the door will
offer that protection.

[⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ Old House Renovation⌉⌊59 Broadway Freehold NJ Old House
Renovation⌉[

Door canopy is added to keep guest dry.

## Landscaping is the finishing touch for an old house makeover.

_**Here it is!  Click to enlarge.**_

[⌊Old House Renovation at 59 Broadway Freehold NJ with landscaping⌉⌊Old House Renovation
at 59 Broadway Freehold NJ with landscaping⌉[

Landscaping adds the finishing touch. The landscaping directs your eyes to the front
door.

The landscape should draw your eyes to the left so you don’t notice the bad addition.

I know – it’s April and the trees are bare but I have some trees with leaves.  You
get the idea.  Once the other trees fill in the house will look better yet.

[⌊59 Broadway, Freehold, NJ Before and after of an Old House Renovation⌉⌊59 Broadway,
Freehold, NJ Before and after of an Old House Renovation⌉[

Click on this image so you can compare the changes side by side.

I hope you have enjoyed this old house renovation.  If you feel your house can use
some help, send me an email!

_Ken – the Old House Guy_

**UPDATE:  **This house is now for sale by the developer who destroyed it.  They
added some very tacky ornamental plants since we did this work.  I contacted the
Realtor and offered her free use of these photos to show potential buyers how this
house can be improved.  **Update:** In 2020 this house is for sale again but the
realtor Christina Gelpi at Christi Keys Realty couldn’t bother getting back to me.

### 󠀁[**Click Here to see more home improvement examples and what help you will get from us for your**** old house.** ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/blog/old-house-restoration-services)󠁿