Protection of Historic Interior
Features and Finishes
An important difference between protecting historic interior features and finishes and protecting new interior features and finishes during construction is in the timing of the construction schedule. In new work, important and fragile casework and finishes are installed late in the construction schedule, after mechanical and electrical systems and other high impact work are completed, thus not exposing the finishes to major construction operations. In preservation work, however, existing interior finishes are exposed to all the high impact and potentially damaging construction phases of the project, except to the extent that such finishes are temporarily protected or separated from construction work.

Temporary Support for plaster cornice and sofits.

 

Vibrations generated during construction may necessitate the installation of temporary support for such fragile features as plaster ceiling cornices and soffits.

Important architectural features which are easily removed should be stored off site, if possible, to protect them from vandalism, theft and damage during construction. Lighting fixtures, fireplace mantels, and interior doors are typical examples. Less movable architectural material or finishes such as wallpaper are often best retained in place but may require custom-designed protective measures developed and monitored by a conservator