Typology Study: Early 20th Century Terrace
A typical row of pre-1919, bye-law terraced housing in England
Around 20% of current homes in the uk were constructed before 1919 and terraces are the most common house type. Early 20th Century terraced homes remain popular with homeowners due to their comparative affordability, convenient locations and the perceived quality of construction. On the other hand, many owners complain of maintenance issues, poor insulation and a lack of parking. This article gives an overview of the common characteristics of an early 20th Century terrace and highlights a number of potential improvements.
Characteristics
Victorian and Edwardian terraces typically consist of two reception rooms at ground floor with a kitchen contained within a closet wing. A corridor contains the entrance and a stair up to the first floor. The first floor generally houses a further three rooms, replicating the ground floor plan. When constructed, these houses would not have contained bathrooms or WCs. They have now almost all been altered to incorporate these facilities, commonly either to the rear of the kitchen at ground floor, or within the closet wing at first floor level.
Typical ground floor plan, which may include a ground floor bathroom
Typical first floor plan, with bathroom in closet wing if not at ground floor
Houses of this era are typically constructed with solid masonry external walls. Internal walls at ground floor level tend to be constructed from brick to help to support the load of the first floor. Timber joists span between the masonry walls and support timber floorboards. Other partitions and ceilings would have been built using lath and plaster, but may have been replaced with contemporary plasterboard products. The roof structure is also timber, traditionally tiled with slate.
Many properties of this era were stripped of many of their original features in the 60’s and 70’s, when modern utilities such as running hot water, a readily accessible toilet and artificial lighting and heating in all rooms, were introduced. However, you may still find original features including:
Fireplaces
Decorative plaster details such as coving and ceiling roses
Tiled floors
High quality timber items such as doors, skirting boards or balustrades
Benefits
By the early 20th Century, terraces were being constructed as a way to house working and lower-middle class people at relatively high densities. As a consequence, houses of this type are usually conveniently located close to urban centres and transport links. Outside of London, they tend to be a comparatively affordable option for couples and young families.
This house type tends to benefit from higher floor to ceiling heights, larger windows and higher quality building materials than may be found in many newer properties.
Disadvantages
A perennial issue with urban terraced housing is that there is often limited outdoor space. As they were constructed before car ownership was widespread, there is often insufficient parking. In many cases, front and rear gardens are relatively compact, which may not suit some households and could constrain opportunities to extend the house.
On street parking is often all that is available around terraced houses of this era.
Potential Improvements
Draught proofing
While not the glamorous side of home renovation, a spot of draught proofing is a cost-effective way of improving energy efficiency. Ensuring windows and doors are properly sealed can help keep warm air in during the winter months.
Insulation
Homes of this era were built without insulation. It is estimated that around 25% of a homes heat is lost through the roof. Consequently, adding or increasing insulation in this area can be a relatively inexpensive way to create a noticeable impact on your thermal comfort and energy bills.
Adding insulation to exterior walls can prove tricky as, whether applied internally or externally, it is likely to result in a loss of original features. Furthermore, unlike modern wall construction, the solid exterior walls were designed to be breathable – allowing moisture to travel freely through the structure. Though suitable products exist, many modern insulation products (and paints!) hinder this process, leading to issues with damp and condensation.
Extensions
As mentioned previously, it is common for homes of this era to have limited external space available. Therefore, opportunities to extend may be limited. Having said this, side return extensions are a great way to transform ground floor living accommodation and enhance the connection between interior and exterior spaces.
Given the UK’s climate, many are happy to sacrifice garden space for addition internal accommodation. If you decide to go down this route, be mindful of the impact of rainwater run off and consider green roofing as a mitigating measure.
Re-arrange
Rearranging your interior spaces can transform your home. Whether creating open plan living spaces, or introducing a downstairs WC, there are many ways to tailor your home to your needs and maximise your use of space without the need to extend. Just remember, internal walls in houses of this age are likely to be load-bearing so make sure you have this checked before removing any walls!
Before: An oversized bathroom consuming valuable space
After: An additional bedroom gained without the need to extend the home
Loft conversions
Loft conversions are a great way to significantly increase your internal floor area, without over developing your plot. Having a separate level for a master suite, or perhaps a home office, is a great way to ensure the space is peaceful and private.
Landscaping
The pandemic taught everyone the value of outdoor space and well planned external spaces can help you get the most out of your garden, year round. This is particularly true where space is limited.
Final Word
With the right care and attention homes of this type can easily be adapted and improved to suit modern life. However, construction methods have changed considerably since these homes were built and therefore some modern products and interventions may not be suitable. Having a basic understanding of how your home works will help you to avoid any ill-advised alterations.
If you have extensive renovations planned, it is a great opportunity to improve the performance and efficiency of your home. This can save you money in the long run, will reduce your homes environmental impact and can help to further prolong the life of these old trusty buildings.