Your Philly row home renovation has endless possibilities. You can create a modern space or restore its historic charm. Whether you’re a long-time Philly resident or new to the city of brotherly love, our feature showcases some of the best tips and services for renovating a Philadelphia row home or embarking on an historic restoration. 

The Unique Philadelphia Row Home Architecture

Not only are Philadelphia’s iconic row homes charmingly unique, they are an integral part of the city’s architectural history. 

Many Philly row houses were built in the 1800s and early 1900s. When renovating, it’s critical to utilize contractors and specialists who have experience working with historic properties. 

Craftsmen also understand the important architectural characteristics of these lasting structures. These include shared walls, narrow hallways, and two to three stories in height — sometimes even four stories. 

Finding the Right Contractor for Your Row Home Project

Only select contractors can conduct renovation projects for historic Philly row homes. Consider using a service like the Block Renovation contractor network. The network can connect you with vetted contractors that utilize historic preservation techniques. Local experts like Buckminster Green are reputable for this kind of project, too. 

Restoring Original Hardwood Floors

Does your Philly row home renovation need new hardwood floors? Think again — you may not need to replace them entirely. Philly-based Artisan Wood Floors specializes in restoring original hardwood floors within your home to like new again. 

Don’t fret even if some areas of the hardwood floor might need replacing. Specialists keenly match new wood to the repair spots. They can fix uneven floors and apply protective finishes to keep the original floor looking fresh. 

Plaster Repair and Interior Painting

With any Philly row home renovation or restoration, expect to fix plaster walls and add a fresh coat of paint throughout. Due to cracks, water damage or deterioration, plaster might be replaced with drywall, but it can be repaired, too. 

Leave that decision up to contractors like Philadelphia House Painting & Historical Restoration. They can help you find the perfect modern aesthetic or period-appropriate paint color, too. 

Maximizing Storage: Adding Closets and Built-Ins

Row homes were oftentimes built with few closets, but your renovation can change that. Today there are creative solutions for extra storage, like converting unused spaces. Building firms like Match Remodeling specialize in jobs like this. 

Window Restoration and Replacement

While your historic Philly row home windows might look great, they probably need renovating, too. Thanks to specialists like Emerald Windows though, they can be modernized while still holding their historic appearance (all while becoming more cost-friendly and energy efficient.) 

Window renovation options include full restoration, the addition of storm windows, or upgrading with historically accurate replacements. 

Restoring and Adding Period-Appropriate Trim and Millwork

For your Philly row home renovation, don’t overlook the trim and millwork elements. 

Professionals like Tague Lumber specialize in fixing or completing a full historic reproduction of baseboards or door casings. Although “small,” quality fixes to even the tiny details elevate an entire renovation. 

Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations in Tight Spaces

A kitchen or bathroom renovation in your Philly row house can be challenging, but it’s certainly doable. Specialists in the city like Buckminster Green find the balance between a major upgrade while holding your house’s original period charm. 

If you are looking for a modernizing layout, check out the experts at Philly House Services.

Addressing Structural and Systems Challenges

Although your Philly row home’s history makes it authentically unique, its age calls for critical structural and system renovations. 

Utilize experts like Philly Foundation & Waterproofing, who specialize in understanding what goes into renovating older city properties. 

Additionally, taking care of common “un-seen” elements like electrical, plumbing or HVAC is vital. 

Realizing Your Philly Row Home Renovation

Use this guide to plan your Philly row home renovation or historic restoration. The city of Philadelphia itself is a beautiful blend of modern and historic, and row houses as a key part of this lineage. From replacing antique windows to reworking an entire home, plenty of local experts specialize their craft for row homes.

Lead photo courtesy of Carol Ingald/Philadelphia Historical Commission.