====== Birkenhead Heritage Historic Home Guide ======

===== Introduction ====

The purpose of these pages is to give guidance to owners, property managers and other professionals who are concerned with the external redecoration and maintenance of property within the Birkenhead Heritage conservation area.


===== Contents =====

  *  [[:checking_the_outside_of_the_building|Checking the outside of the building]]
      * [[:paintwork|Decorative Finishes]]
      * [[:general_considerations_for_all_ironwork|General considerations for metal work]]
      * [[:down_pipes_gutters_and_other_rain_water_goods|Down pipes, gutters and other rain water goods]]
      * [[:balconies_and_other_ironwork|Balconies and other ironwork]]
      * [[:railings|Railings]]
      * [[:roof_work|Roof work]]
      * [[:steps_platts_paving_and_arches|Steps, Platts (Paving) and Arches]]
  * [[:checking_the_inside_of_the_building|Checking the inside of the building]]
     * [[:internal_paintwork|Internal Paintwork]]
     * [[:internal_plastering|Internal Plastering]]
     * [[:woodwork_doors_and_windows|Woodwork, doors and windows]]
     * [[:dampness|Dampness]]
  * [[:getting_work_done|Getting work done]]
  * [[:references|References]]



===== Birkenhead Georgian Quarter (around Hamilton Square) =====

{{  :exterior_view_of_no_40_hamilton_square.jpg?200|exterior_view_of_no_40_hamilton_square.jpg}}This Design Guide concentrates on Birkenhead’s distinctive Georgian Quarter (around Hamilton Square). This builds on existing advice from Edinburgh’s Conservation Advice, as the characteristics of conservation choices are similar, and we are indebted to their research and recommendations.

Birkenhead is an eclectic mix of many different architectural styles and building materials from Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian periods moving toward Art Deco of 1930’s and the Brutalism of 1960’s, and the subsequent Contemporary Style of the 1980’s which continues to the present day.

However, these architectural styles are found in distinct zones, so they form a distinct feature of each location.

Thus, it is possible to produce a Design Guide for those buildings in order to enhance the each location, and help guide future planning and architectural design for those distinct areas, and avoid creating visual clashes which undermine the predominant street scene.



====== How to find your way around this Guide ======

This guide will cover the steps you need to consider, when to consider them, and what to do, so that the building has a long life and, generally, increases in overall value. Further advice is listed at the end of this publication under References.

To go back to this opening page, click the Icon [[:logo.jpg?id=start&media=logo.jpg|{{:logo.jpg?nolink&30|logo.jpg}}]] at the top of the page

On each page of the guide you will see:

  * Why the topic is important
  * What to look for
  * What to do if you find a problem
  * Avoiding creating problems
  * Historical background