Repair or Restore?

 Do we use the correct vocabulary?

    When we contemplate old buildings a variety of words are used, two terms, in my opinion, are used the most. Repair and restore. But what do each of them mean? In the dictionary repair is described as 'to restore to a good or sound condition after decay or damage' and restore is described as 'to bring back into existence, use or to re-establish'.

    To me, repairing an old building means any old or original material that's still standing or in a good condition is left in place and not touched. Whereas anything that is damaged is replaced with new and fixed in an honest way with materials which are similar or the same as to what is already there.

    On the other hand, to me restoring an old building means taking out any and all old material regardless of its condition and replacing it with new materials.

    So which is the most honourable thing to do when undertaking a project on a historic building? I think one of the main factors to look at is whether or not the building is listed or in a conservation area. If it is listed, a lot of the your hands are tied and the materials used have to be like for like if they are being replaced if the condition of them is too far gone. For example, a timber sash window, if it has rotted away then it will have to be replaced by a new timber sash window. However, if the window is only partially damaged then only repairing the damaged section would be the most sensible thing to do.

    I think another factor to consider is the new materials you use and whether or not they will cause any further damage to the existing building. For example, if you have a softer brick or stone and you start to use cement based mortar to re-point it, then the cement will damaged the existing masonry and cause a bigger problem than what was originally there, so it is important to consider like for like materials.

 

    This picture was taken at Hill House in Helensburgh, a grade I listed building, where a cement render was used on the exterior of the building over a soft stone, causing lots of damp issues as well as cracking in the render itself. Since the render has partially been taken away, the stone areas exposed have dried out considerably however, with the stone already being soft and now completely open to the elements erosion has started to occur.

    The current debate is what to now do with the exposed stone, to re-render it with cement again or to use a breathable lime based render so that further damage isn't accrued. This sparks a good debate about repairing or restoring, as how would you repair the building as a whole? Do you repair the cement render which is already there or do you make sure you repair the stonework which makes up the buildings structure and ensure that the structure is sound, therefore using a breathable lime mortar to prevent further deterioration of the stonework underneath.

    Restoring and repairing an old building each offer distinct paths to preserving its legacy. Restoration to return a structure to its original glory, giving potentially a disused building a use once more. Repair focuses on functionality and longevity, ensuring the building remains safe and usable with minimal intervention. Both approaches have value, and the right choice often depends on the building’s condition, purpose, and the vision behind its preservation. Ultimately, it’s about finding the balance between honouring the past and meeting present-day needs. In the end, the decision isn't just about bricks and mortar—it's about how we value the past and what we want to carry into the future.