How to Restore a 1920s Craftsman Bungalow with Period-Accurate Materials

A tired old Craftsman bungalow can feel like a time capsule that’s lost its key. Restoring it the right way not only brings back its charm, it also protects the story the house tells. Below is a step‑by‑step guide that lets you keep the work honest, use the right old‑time materials, and still finish the job yourself.

Why Period‑Accurate Matters

The Craftsman style was born in the early 1900s as a reaction against over‑ornate Victorian houses. Its hallmarks are simple, hand‑crafted woodwork, low‑pitched roofs, and a focus on natural materials. When you replace a piece with something that looks right but isn’t period‑accurate, you break the visual rhythm and can even cause hidden problems. For example, using modern plywood under a porch roof can trap moisture and lead to rot that the original builders never had to worry about.

1. Do a Careful Survey

Walk‑Through Checklist

Exterior siding: Look for original clapboard, shiplap, or board‑and‑batten. Note any areas where the wood has been covered with vinyl or aluminum.
Roof: Check the type of shingles. Many 1920s Craftsman homes used wood shingles or early asphalt shingles that were flat and matte.
Windows: Original double‑hung wood windows often have a single pane with a simple muntin pattern.
Interior trim: Baseboards, window casings, and built‑in shelving are usually made of fir or pine, hand‑planed and left with a natural finish.

Take photos and write down the dimensions of any pieces you plan to replace. This will help you match new material to the old.

2. Source Period‑Correct Materials

Wood

The original wood for a Craftsman bungalow was typically old‑growth fir, pine, or cedar. Look for reclaimed lumber at salvage yards, architectural salvage stores, or online marketplaces that specialize in historic wood. When you can’t find reclaimed wood, ask a mill to cut new lumber to the same dimensions and grain pattern. A simple “1×6, quarter‑sawn pine” will often do the trick.

Shingles

If the roof originally had wood shingles, you’ll want to replace any broken ones with cedar shakes that are hand‑split, not machine‑cut. Hand‑split shakes have a rougher surface that matches the look of the 1920s. For a more budget‑friendly option, look for “historic profile” asphalt shingles that mimic the flat, matte finish of the early product.

Nails

Modern wire nails are too stiff for old wood and can split the grain. Use hand‑forged cut nails or, if you can’t find them, use bright‑finish (galvanized) nails that are thinner than today’s common nails. They are easier to drive and less likely to damage delicate trim.

Paint and Finish

Original Craftsman homes were often painted with oil‑based paints in muted earth tones. Today you can buy “historic color” oil paints that match the palette of the era. For interior woodwork, a simple tung oil or linseed oil finish will give the same warm glow the original owners enjoyed.

3. Prepare the Site

Safety First

Wear a dust mask when sanding old wood.
Use eye protection when removing old nails.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby if you are working with oil paints.

Remove Incompatible Additions

Take off any vinyl siding, aluminum flashing, or modern synthetic windows. Keep the original pieces intact until you have a clear plan for replacement. This prevents accidental damage to hidden trim or structural elements.

4. Repair the Structure

Fixing the Frame

If you find rot in the framing, cut out the damaged section with a reciprocating saw. Replace it with new lumber that matches the original size and grain. Use a wood epoxy to fill small cracks before nailing new pieces in place.

Re‑shingling the Roof

Strip the old shingles down to the sheathing.
Lay a breathable underlayment (felt paper) – this was used even in the 1920s.
Start at the bottom edge and nail each shake with two cut nails, leaving a small overhang (called a “drip edge”) to keep water away from the walls.
Stagger the rows so the seams don’t line up, just like the original craftsmen did.

5. Restore the Exterior Siding

Matching the Profile

Measure the width and thickness of the existing clapboard. If you’re using reclaimed wood, you may need to plane it down a little to fit. Install the boards with a slight reveal (a tiny gap) between each piece – this allows the wood to expand and contract with the weather.

Painting

After the siding is in place, prime with a oil‑based primer. Then apply two coats of your historic color paint, using a brush for the edges and a roller for the flat areas. This gives the house a hand‑crafted look that a spray gun can’t mimic.

6. Bring the Windows Back

If the original windows are still in place but the glass is cracked, replace just the panes. You can buy “single pane” glass that matches the thickness of early 20th‑century glass (about 3 mm). Install the new pane with glazing points and a thin bead of linseed oil putty. For missing windows, have a carpenter build a replica using the same wood and muntin pattern you recorded during the survey.

7. Interior Trim and Details

Baseboards and Casings

Cut new baseboards and casings from reclaimed pine. Use a miter saw to get clean 45‑degree corners. Nail them in with cut nails, then fill any nail holes with a wood filler that matches the grain. Sand lightly and finish with a coat of tung oil.

Built‑In Shelves

Many Craftsman bungalows have built‑in bookcases or window seats. If yours are damaged, dismantle the broken parts, label each piece, and rebuild using the same wood and joinery style (often simple mortise‑and‑tenon or dowel joints). The goal is to keep the look as close to the original as possible.

8. Final Touches

Hardware: Replace any modern door knobs with period‑style brass or bronze hardware. A simple lever handle with a decorative backplate fits the era perfectly.
Lighting: Install reproduction “candle‑style” fixtures that use LED bulbs. They give the warm glow of the 1920s without the fire risk.
Landscaping: A Craftsman home often sits on a modest garden with native plants. Add a few native shrubs and a stone pathway to complete the look.

9. Keep It Honest

Restoration is not about making a house look new; it’s about honoring the work of the people who built it a century ago. By using period‑accurate materials, you protect the house’s integrity and keep its story alive for the next generation. When you step back and see the porch, the roof, and the trim all speaking the same language, you’ll know the effort was worth every nail and brushstroke.