Renovating an 1880’s Farmhouse in Flamborough, ON

June 15, 2026

What We Discovered (and How We Solved It)

Renovating a modern home is one thing but restoring a farmhouse built in the 1880’s comes with a completely different set of challenges.

At EPI Renovations, we recently completed a farmhouse renovation in Flamborough, Ontario, where the goal was to modernize the home while preserving its original charm. Like many homes from this era, we uncovered a number of issues that required careful planning and expertise to address. With design collaboration from Studio LBD Interiors and the expertise of our trusted network of subtrades, we transformed this 19^th century home into a into a beautifully restored, fully modernized space that honours its history while meeting today’s standards for comfort, safety, and functionality.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what we found and how we brought this historic home back to life.

The Project: Modern Comfort Meets Historic Charm

This 1880’s farmhouse had incredible bones with original wood details, a classic layout and a lot of history.

The homeowners wanted to:

Update the kitchen and main living areas
Improve the functionality and flow
Bring the home up to modern building code standards
Preserve the farmhouse charm while also creating a new modern space

Getting the Home Ready for Demolition

Due to the age of the home, we took additional precautions before beginning demolition by bringing in an environmental technician to test for asbestos-containing materials. This is a critical step when renovating older homes, as asbestos was commonly used in various building materials in the past. After thorough testing, we were able to confirm that no asbestos was present, allowing us to move forward safely and confidently with the renovation process.

What We Found Behind the Walls

As expected with a home of this age, demolition uncovered several outdated and unsafe materials that needed to be addressed before moving forward.

Knob and Tube Wiring

Knob and tube wiring is common in homes built in the 1800’s and early 1900’s so we knew this would most likely be an issue once the walls came down. This type of wiring no longer meets modern electrical standards and can pose safety and insurance concerns.

How we handled it:

Fully removed outdated wiring
Installed new, Ontario electrical code compliant wiring
Upgraded the electrical panel to support modern appliances and usage

McGinty Toman Electric Inc were the electricians hired for the electrical upgrades and as always, they did an incredible job with the utmost efficiency and professionalism.

Horsehair Plaster Walls

A traditional building material used in the 1800’s was horsehair plaster. Horsehair was mixed into the plaster used for the walls to add strength and durability. While historically interesting, all horsehair plaster was removed to allow for an open-concept space and to allow proper insulation and air sealing.

How we handled it:

Removed all horsehair plaster during demolition
Reframed and insulated exterior walls
Installed new drywall

Structural Irregularities

Over time, even the best built homes will shift and settle, especially when the house has been lived in for over a century. This farmhouse had uneven floors and was under-supported on the main and second storey.

How we handled it:

Added 2 concrete footing in the basement to support the entire structure’s weight and prevent settling
Removed the load-bearing walls to create an open-concept space and installed 2 recessed beams to support the second floor
Releveled the main floor.

Outdated Plumbing

The old plumbing system and aging pipes were no longer reliable and were not placed functionally for the new layout design.

How we handled it:

Replaced all outdated water and waste lines with new material
Ensured all systems met current Ontario building code
Improved the layout for better efficiency

Aging HVAC Systems & Insufficient Insulation

With creating an open-concept main floor, the HVAC system’s vents needed to be re-routed to more optimal areas within the new space. As is common with old homes, the insulation on the exterior walls was not adequate and needed to be upgraded.

Replaced old furnace with high-efficiency furnace for energy savings
Created and executed a new, optimal HVAC system taking the new layout into consideration
Added spray foam insulation to the exterior walls prior to new drywall being installed

Balancing Old with New

One of the most important parts of this renovation was striking the right balance between preserving history and building modern comfort.

In collaboration with Leah Brown Studio and the homeowners we created balance by:

Retaining original architectural details like the stained-glass window and woodwork details on the staircase
Blended new finishes with the home’s farmhouse style.
Ensured the home felt updated but not stripped of its charm

The Reality of Renovating Historic Homes

Projects like this require flexibility and a high level of experience. Unexpected discoveries are part of the process when working with homes built in the 1800’s which is why proper planning is crucial.

For homeowners that are considering a similar renovation in the Flamborough, Ancaster or Hamilton area, we always recommend building in a contingency into your budget, working with an experienced local contractor and planning for the unexpected.