Renovation v refurbishment v retrofit

The terms renovation, refurbishment and retrofit are often taken to mean the same thing, or used as if they are interchangeable. However, they have different specific meanings:

• Retrofitting means “providing something with a component or feature not fitted during manufacture or adding something that it did not have when first constructed” (Ref Retrofit 2050: Critical challenges for urban transitions). It is often used in relation to the installation of new building systems, such as heating systems, but it might also refer to the fabric of a building, for example, retrofitting insulation or double glazing.
• Refurbishment on the other hand implies a process of improvement by cleaning, decorating, and re-equipping. It may include elements of retrofitting.
• The term ‘renovation’ refers to the process of returning something to a good state of repair.

A single project may include elements of retrofitting, refurbishment and renovation.

NB Maintenance is the process of keeping something in good condition, whilst restoration refers to the process of returning something to a previous state, in particular in relation to heritage buildings.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Archaeology and construction.
• BRE and Willmott Dixon project to retrofit of a 1920s semi-detached house.
• Building preservation notice.
• Conservation areas.
• Decorating a newly built home.
• Five tips for planning a home renovation.
• Flexbury Church.
• Listed buildings.
• National Refurbishment Centre.
• Refurbishment.
• Renovation.
• Retrofit.
• Retrofit coordinator.
• Tips for house renovations on a budget.

[edit] External references

• BRE, Rethinking refurbishment.
• Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance, Responsible Retrofit.

Comments

Renovating, refurbishing, and retrofitting are often taken to mean the same thing or used interchangeably. Each of these words refers to a specific action: It may include elements of retrofitting. The term 'renovation' refers to the process of returning something to a good state of repair.