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] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Archaeology and construction.
- BRE and Willmott Dixon project to retrofit of a 1920s semi-detached house.
- Building preservation notice.
- Conservation areas.
- Listed buildings.
- National Refurbishment Centre.
- Refurbishment.
- Renovation.
- Retrofit.
- Retrofit coordinator.
[edit] External references.
IHBC NewsBlog
Stay 'in the know' about recent job and trainee openings with IHBC's latest 'Jobs, etc.'
March updates include Scottish trainee opportunities in HES, and QS and PM openings in HRP. Sign up for free alerts today.
IHBC HESPR top pick from £400k+ costed work this week
NE Lincs seeks appraisal and business planning team for regen, Port of Grimsby 08/04, value £50k
Tailored Review of Historic England: Closing 9 May
The Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) is conducting a tailored review of Historic England – so to help inform this review, DCMS seeks feedback through an online survey closing on 9 May.
Degree apprenticeship for town planners gets green light from Government
The first degree-level apprenticeship to train Chartered Town Planners in England has been approved by the Government, with employers in England able to recruit candidates.
Councils fear Swansea construction giant’s collapse could be 'Welsh Carillion'
LocalGov new has reported on how the collapse of Dawnus Construction could be a 'Welsh Carillion'.
Civic Voice provides evidence to the England's Building Better Commission
Civic Voice has presented evidence to the Government's Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.
Find HESPR members’ offices using the IHBC’s new map-based search
IHBC members, colleagues and client bodies can now find the office locations of HESPR members using our new map-based facility.
IHBC Gus Astley Student Awards update - See the benefits through online testimonials
See how 2018 winners have secured places on Nottingham’s 2019 School: ‘Heritage, Risk and Resilience’, 4-6 July, while entries for 2019 close on July 31.
As the government plans to bring forward most of its controversial package of new permitted development rights (PDR) and use class uses Civic Voice raises the deep concerns of local communities.
RICS highlights the ‘High Street’ dilemma: How to save the UK high street
RICS has featured an article from its Modus publication on town centres that asks if there is ‘any purpose in ‘defending’ something once its economic purpose fades?’.
Committee calls for public inquiry into GSA fires
The circumstances surrounding the two fires at the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building should be the subject of a public inquiry with judicial powers argued an inquiry into the issue by MSPs on the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee.
Appointment of new BRE Group CEO: Gillian Charlesworth
BRE Group has appointed a new Group Chief Executive, Gillian Charlesworth, currently a member of the Global Executive team of the RICS, to succeed Niall Trafford.