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What style of switches and electrical outlets for historic house?

5 years ago

Hi all,

I'm about to have all the switches and outlets replaced in my 102-year-old historic house. I'm leaning toward traditional rather than Decora style, thinking that someone buying a historic property would find traditional more appropriate. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks.

David

Featured Answer

A Fox

5 years ago

At 102 years old, you would have still been within the period when push button switches were most prevalent. However, the traditional toggle switch was invented right around the time that your house was built and would become the typical switch in houses within about a decade, so it wouldn't be inappropriate to forego the push buttons and stick with toggle switches. Be aware that I have clients who have reportedly had issues with the dimming push buttons. I would agree that decora may come off as too modern.

As far as finishes, It was typical to install outlets in the floor or in baseboards, so they tended to be brown with either dark metal or satin/unlaquered brass plates. My 1924 house still has two such outlets with brass plates in the top of the mantle. Push button light switches typically had similar metal plates. I am less familiar with toggle switch historic finishes, but I believe as others above indicate they initially began dark with metal plates. Some houses from the 20s at least had metal plate covers that matched the door hardware, especially as I have seen in Tudor Revivals. But I think it's equally appropriate to make the outlets and switch plates blend in per palimpsest's description above.

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Comments (6)

rwiegand
5 years ago
I'd use pushbutton switches
Bruce in Northern Virginia
5 years ago
I think this question came up before, and there are very few suppliers for UL approved push button switches. They do look like the originals, but cost a lot more than the $2 switches from HD or Lowes.

My 1940 house did not have push buttons, but in that time frame they used dark colored (brown?) traditional switches and receptacles throughout the house. However, they had white metal receptacle and switch plates. This combination looks "old school" (to most folks), but everything you need is still off-the-shelf from local stores.

Bruce
dmwalter02 thanked Bruce in Northern Virginia
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User
5 years ago
If your having all the switches/receptacles replaced why not check out what a local electrical supply co. has. Usually their selection range, quality and price are better than big box.
dmwalter02 thanked User
palimpsest
5 years ago
I lived in a house that would not have had electricity and in a lot of areas I used Lutron Satin Colors or Decora for outlets in the closest color I could find to the trim or wall color and used switchplates painted to match the wall or trim. (Lots of my outlets were in the wide baseboard). I wanted them to blend in as much as possible.

In a few high profile areas I used push buttons or push button style dimmers with matte brass plates which was the first electrical the house would have had.

There was a lot of brown or black with matte brass plates in older houses in my area.
dmwalter02 thanked palimpsest
dmwalter02
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for all the great tips and advice everyone. I really appreciate it.

David

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