Brukets trädgård genom tiderna

In this book, architectural antiquarian Erika Åberg shows you how to maintain, renovate and make creative reuse projects with old windows and doors.

“Windows are the soul of the house” has become almost a proverb in the building industry. What does it really mean? What are the significance and qualities of old windows? And what about doors? Here, Erika Åberg talks about design and stylistic approaches through the ages, different types of glass, function – or the lack of it – and the challenges of keeping the heat in and the cold out.

The timber used for windows and doors in the past was the best available, of a quality that is hard to find today. If cared for properly, it can last for hundreds of years. Here you will learn about restoration of varying degrees of difficulty, from first aid to full restoration.

With smart techniques and solutions, you can get windows and doors that are beautiful and fit your house. It goes without saying that preserving is more environmentally friendly than buying new. Here is an example of an orangery built with recycled windows.

Erika Åberg tells you in text and pictures how you can take care of and enjoy your old windows and doors for a long time to come.

Do it again, do it right – Around the country with Renoveringsraseriet by authors Gustav Bergström and Alfred Skogberg.

Over the past decades, we have seen container after container filled with our common building heritage. Beautiful 1950s kitchens are worn out and replaced by mass-produced ones, mouth-blown window glass ends up in landfills, and cheap, unmaintainable materials replace old and solid ones.

Since its inception in 2020, Renovation Fury has criticized careless renovations on their popular Facebook and Instagram accounts of the same name.

In this book, we follow the founders, Gustav Bergström and Alfred Skogberg, on a journey to twelve Swedish cities; from Kiruna in the north to Sölvesborg in the south. They talk to architects, urban planners and experts and point out both good examples and pure disasters.

Do it again, do it right is both a portrait of the times and a cry for help. Caring and preserving is not just about nostalgia, it’s a must if we want to achieve our climate goals. It’s high time we started to see the value of craftsmanship and quality, and realize that new is not always better!

Moving Old Houses is the first book in the series – Building Conservation in Practice.

The book describes, step by step, how the work of moving an old house is done. Documentation, research into the history of the house, marking, demolition and reconstruction. The construction of the log house, from foundation and frame to finishes and permanent fixtures, is also described in detail. The book is compulsory reading for anyone intending to move an old wooden house, but even if you are only renovating a wooden house on site, you will get a lot of valuable advice.

Various principles of reconstruction are discussed, as well as the choice of craftsmen and methods and materials for interior renovation. Invaluable knowledge for those working with older houses.

“The Heat of Old Houses” answers questions about heating and insulation of old houses. This is the second book in the series – Building Conservation in Practice.

Find out which solutions are recommended. House fireplaces and heat sources, their history and construction, and renovation aspects. Detailed advice is given on the maintenance and care of tiled stoves, fireplaces, pipe stoves, fireplaces and iron stoves.

A very practical book. Invaluable knowledge for anyone working with older houses.