are "antique" wood floors really that prized?

[Anonymous]

Just moved into our c. 1900 townhouse in dc. We love the house, but we don't know what to think about the floors. The agent told us that we shouldn't dream of replacing them because they are very valued on the market, but to us they just look old and worn, with gaps and patches here and there. Overall I guess they are in decent shape, but they are undeniably old. We don't have the money now, but a few years down the line would like replace them - but we won't do it if they are truly a prized feature of older homes.

[Anonymous]

We bought an old victorian home years back, the appraiser said if you take out the original flooring you will ruin the value of the house nad the new floors will not keep the hosue in the proper "period" That is a big thing with purists who like victorian homes.

For the 14 years we sold the house 90% of the people who came to see our house during the neighborhood house tour commented on how the floors made the house.

[Anonymous]

Op here - so weird, to me nice new floors would be better! Follow up: then how the heck do we take care of them?

[Anonymous]

... Or what if we just replaced the kitchen hardwood? That couldnt bring down the value too much, could it? The kitchen bothers us the most because it seems unhygenic with the gaps etc.

[Anonymous]

Yes, original features, including floors, are key.

Get a good floor restoration company to have a look at the problems. You may be able to replace problem areas with reclaimed timber. Patches can be done well.

I think some gaps can be filled, no?

[Anonymous]

We have the originals in our 1880 Georgetown row house. I had them sanded and refinished. The floor guys told me this is probably the last they be able to be sanded. They look so much better. I didn't like the stain the previous owner had. Some floorboards creak...we had a couple boards replaced, but I love them. I love t he history!

[Anonymous]

Our 1883 floors are on their last legs, and I've been wondering the same thing. I can't help but think if you walked in and saw gorgeous new wood floors, you wouldn't think wow. But I hate to be the one to do it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just moved into our c. 1900 townhouse in dc. We love the house, but we don't know what to think about the floors. The agent told us that we shouldn't dream of replacing them because they are very valued on the market, but to us they just look old and worn, with gaps and patches here and there. Overall I guess they are in decent shape, but they are undeniably old. We don't have the money now, but a few years down the line would like replace them - but we won't do it if they are truly a prized feature of older homes.

You may not be the old house type. A lot of people think they are but when it comes down to it, they'd be better off and happier in a Ryan Home in Springfield. Your question leads me to believe that you are probably one of these people and don't really appreciate the history, charm or character of a fine old home and may have bought the place because it was the cool thing to do. Sell it to someone who truly loves old homes and embrace your repressed love of all things Franconia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just moved into our c. 1900 townhouse in dc. We love the house, but we don't know what to think about the floors. The agent told us that we shouldn't dream of replacing them because they are very valued on the market, but to us they just look old and worn, with gaps and patches here and there. Overall I guess they are in decent shape, but they are undeniably old. We don't have the money now, but a few years down the line would like replace them - but we won't do it if they are truly a prized feature of older homes.

You may not be the old house type. A lot of people think they are but when it comes down to it, they'd be better off and happier in a Ryan Home in Springfield. Your question leads me to believe that you are probably one of these people and don't really appreciate the history, charm or character of a fine old home and may have bought the place because it was the cool thing to do. Sell it to someone who truly loves old homes and embrace your repressed love of all things Franconia.

Thanks for your helpful response, bee-yotch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just moved into our c. 1900 townhouse in dc. We love the house, but we don't know what to think about the floors. The agent told us that we shouldn't dream of replacing them because they are very valued on the market, but to us they just look old and worn, with gaps and patches here and there. Overall I guess they are in decent shape, but they are undeniably old. We don't have the money now, but a few years down the line would like replace them - but we won't do it if they are truly a prized feature of older homes.

You may not be the old house type. A lot of people think they are but when it comes down to it, they'd be better off and happier in a Ryan Home in Springfield. Your question leads me to believe that you are probably one of these people and don't really appreciate the history, charm or character of a fine old home and may have bought the place because it was the cool thing to do. Sell it to someone who truly loves old homes and embrace your repressed love of all things Franconia.

Thanks for your helpful response, bee-yotch.

I think the PP should have worded his/her comment without all the sarcasm. Still, it's true that some people don't really like all that goes with a home of that age. I have several friends who don't, yet their homes are beautiful. I love all things antique--including uneven, dented floors and imperfect windows. Even outdated kitchens can be charming to me. It's something hard to explain, but I adore old churches, homes, and landscaping!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just moved into our c. 1900 townhouse in dc. We love the house, but we don't know what to think about the floors. The agent told us that we shouldn't dream of replacing them because they are very valued on the market, but to us they just look old and worn, with gaps and patches here and there. Overall I guess they are in decent shape, but they are undeniably old. We don't have the money now, but a few years down the line would like replace them - but we won't do it if they are truly a prized feature of older homes.

You may not be the old house type. A lot of people think they are but when it comes down to it, they'd be better off and happier in a Ryan Home in Springfield. Your question leads me to believe that you are probably one of these people and don't really appreciate the history, charm or character of a fine old home and may have bought the place because it was the cool thing to do. Sell it to someone who truly loves old homes and embrace your repressed love of all things Franconia.

Thanks for your helpful response, bee-yotch.

She may be a bee-yotch, but what she says is true. DON"T buy a house if you don't like the 'period' look such as floors, bathrooms, etc. New floors in an old house would kill it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just moved into our c. 1900 townhouse in dc. We love the house, but we don't know what to think about the floors. The agent told us that we shouldn't dream of replacing them because they are very valued on the market, but to us they just look old and worn, with gaps and patches here and there. Overall I guess they are in decent shape, but they are undeniably old. We don't have the money now, but a few years down the line would like replace them - but we won't do it if they are truly a prized feature of older homes.

You may not be the old house type. A lot of people think they are but when it comes down to it, they'd be better off and happier in a Ryan Home in Springfield. Your question leads me to believe that you are probably one of these people and don't really appreciate the history, charm or character of a fine old home and may have bought the place because it was the cool thing to do. Sell it to someone who truly loves old homes and embrace your repressed love of all things Franconia.

You may think your comment makes you sound all cool and urbane, but it really doesn't. Actually, it doesn't reflect well on you at all, and if you said that at a party, people would look at you funny.

OP, perhaps you can do some research into old homes with new floors and without. I *think* I've seen enough home tours of DC rowhouses with new flooring and all the classic features. Why don't you inquire into what people in comparable situations did and how it came out? I think old features on homes are all good and well, but I would prize them for how well they fit with the needs of your family and not for themselves alone. It's OK to admit to yourself that you don't love that feature and want it gone, if that's the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just moved into our c. 1900 townhouse in dc. We love the house, but we don't know what to think about the floors. The agent told us that we shouldn't dream of replacing them because they are very valued on the market, but to us they just look old and worn, with gaps and patches here and there. Overall I guess they are in decent shape, but they are undeniably old. We don't have the money now, but a few years down the line would like replace them - but we won't do it if they are truly a prized feature of older homes.

You may not be the old house type. A lot of people think they are but when it comes down to it, they'd be better off and happier in a Ryan Home in Springfield. Your question leads me to believe that you are probably one of these people and don't really appreciate the history, charm or character of a fine old home and may have bought the place because it was the cool thing to do. Sell it to someone who truly loves old homes and embrace your repressed love of all things Franconia.

Thanks for your helpful response, bee-yotch.

She may be a bee-yotch, but what she says is true. DON"T buy a house if you don't like the 'period' look such as floors, bathrooms, etc. New floors in an old house would kill it.

Well, the thing is that people in old houses don't "really" leave the period fixtures as is. They get replaced with things that look kind of sort of the old thing, but aren't really. I mean, you don't *really* leave the Victorian bathroom as it was a hundred years ago, right? You probably wouldn't put a, I don't know, minimalist-looking vessel sink into that space, but if you say you leave the old fixtures and plumbing as is, I would have to not believe you. I doubt a Victorian-age kitchen in a Victorian house would add much value to it.

[Anonymous]

It is very important. You can have them sanded down and refinished but don't remove them. I love old houses and would never buy one that did not have the original wood floors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is very important. You can have them sanded down and refinished but don't remove them. I love old houses and would never buy one that did not have the original wood floors.

What about just doing the kitchen floors? Would that make a huge difference to you?