Architectural

  • Updated on Oct 15, 2024
  • Published on Sep 30, 2024
  • 6 minute(s) read

Architectural Antiques Inventory Guide for Insurance Claims and Policy Coverage

Architectural antiques—salvaged elements from historic buildings—are not only valuable for their craftsmanship and historical significance but also for the character they add to homes and other structures. Whether you’re restoring a historic property or adding unique elements to your home, these pieces can carry significant value.

Properly documenting them and ensuring they are covered under the right insurance policy is crucial for protecting these often irreplaceable items.

What Are Architectural Antiques?

Architectural antiques refer to salvaged pieces from older buildings that are often used to restore or enhance modern homes. These items range from intricate woodwork and stone carvings to stained glass windows and antique ironwork. Their value comes from their craftsmanship, rarity, and the historical significance of the building or era they come from. Many pieces are one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable, making proper insurance coverage essential.

Importance of Appraisals for Architectural Antiques

Given their unique nature, architectural antiques require professional appraisals to determine their true market value. The value of these items depends on factors like the period, style, material, condition, and provenance (the history of the item’s origin). Appraisals ensure that you are accurately insured, preventing potential gaps in coverage that could lead to financial loss.

Depreciation and Architectural Antiques

Unlike typical household items, architectural antiques do not depreciate. In fact, many of these items appreciate in value over time due to their rarity and historical significance. Traditional insurance policies may not account for the appreciation of architectural antiques, which is why it’s important to have specialized insurance coverage that reflects the appreciating value of these items.

Ensuring Proper Coverage for Architectural Antiques

  1. Specialized Insurance Policies: Ensure your architectural antiques are covered under a specialized insurance policy or add an Endorsement (rider) to your existing homeowners’ policy. This ensures the items are insured for their full market value without being subject to depreciation.

  2. Agreed Value Coverage: Opt for agreed value coverage where you and the insurer agree on the value of each item upfront. This guarantees that in the event of loss or damage, you will receive the agreed-upon amount without dispute.

  3. Document and Photograph: Keep a detailed inventory of your architectural antiques, including high-resolution photographs, descriptions, measurements, and any provenance or historical documentation. This will simplify the insurance claims process and provide valuable proof of ownership.

  4. Regular Appraisals: Architectural antiques may appreciate over time, so it’s important to have them appraised every 3-5 years. This ensures your insurance coverage remains up-to-date and reflects any changes in the market value of these items.

Comprehensive List of Architectural Antiques

Below is a categorized list of architectural antiques to help you inventory and manage your collection for insurance purposes.

Doors & Door Hardware

  • Antique barn doors

  • Cast iron Door Knockers

  • Carved wood entry doors

  • Colonial-era Hinges

  • Early American door latches

  • French double doors

  • Gothic-style iron hinges

  • Hand-carved wooden doors

  • Industrial sliding doors

  • Ornate brass door Handles

  • Period door frames

  • Victorian Transom windows

  • Wrought Iron door grills

Windows & Stained Glass

  • Art Nouveau stained glass panels

  • Art Deco frosted windows

  • Bay Window frames

  • Church stained glass windows

  • Georgian-style Sash windows

  • Gothic revival stained glass

  • Leaded glass windows

  • Rose window frames

  • Steel-framed factory windows

  • Tiffany-style stained glass inserts

  • Victorian etched glass windows

  • Window shutters with iron hardware

Fireplaces & Mantels

  • Art Deco Marble mantels

  • Cast iron fireplace inserts

  • Colonial wood mantels

  • French limestone fireplaces

  • Gothic revival stone mantels

  • Marble hearths

  • Victorian cast iron fire surrounds

  • Wood-burning stove enclosures

  • Wrought iron firebacks

  • Brass fireplace tool sets

  • Andirons from the 1800s

Columns & Pillars

  • Corinthian columns

  • Cast iron porch pillars

  • Decorative wood columns

  • Egyptian revival obelisks

  • Fluted stone columns

  • Georgian balustrades

  • Gothic stone pillars

  • Ironwork porch supports

  • Marble columns with capital

  • Victorian-era wooden pillars

Lighting & Chandeliers

  • Art Deco chandeliers

  • Brass wall sconces

  • Crystal Chandelier from the 1800s

  • Early electric Pendant lights

  • Gas-powered Victorian lighting fixtures

  • Gothic revival lanterns

  • Iron candelabra chandeliers

  • Leaded glass light fixtures

  • Mission-style lanterns

  • Stained glass pendant lamps

Woodwork & Molding

  • Carved wooden corbels

  • Crown Molding from the 19th century

  • Dentil molding

  • Georgian Wainscoting panels

  • Hand-carved wooden newel Posts

  • Oak fireplace mantels

  • Paneled wood walls

  • Rococo-style wood Trim

  • Shaker-style baseboards

  • Victorian gingerbread trim

Ironwork & Railings

  • Art Deco iron gates

  • Cast iron Staircase balusters

  • Forged iron window guards

  • Gothic wrought iron gates

  • Hand-forged iron curtain rods

  • Industrial iron railing

  • Iron fencing with finials

  • Victorian balcony railings

  • Wrought iron garden gates

  • Wrought iron staircase railing

Tiles & Flooring

  • Art Nouveau floor tiles

  • Checkerboard marble flooring

  • Hand-painted ceramic tiles

  • Herringbone wood Parquet Flooring

  • Hexagonal encaustic tiles

  • Limestone flooring from a historic building

  • Moroccan zellige tiles

  • Reclaimed barn wood flooring

  • Terrazzo flooring tiles

  • Victorian mosaic floor tiles

Brackets, Shelves, & Corbels

  • Cast iron wall brackets

  • Carved stone corbels

  • Classical wood brackets

  • French wrought iron shelf brackets

  • Georgian wood corbels

  • Iron corbels for countertops

  • Limestone corbels

  • Mahogany wall brackets

  • Marble shelf supports

  • Victorian wood brackets for shelves

Architectural Salvage

  • Balconies from French townhouses

  • Cast iron window surrounds

  • Chimney pots

  • Gargoyles from gothic buildings

  • Medieval stone archways

  • Period brass light switches

  • Plaster Ceiling medallions

  • Roof finials

  • Stone garden fountains

  • Terra cotta roof tiles

Wrap-Up: Protecting Your Architectural Antiques

Architectural antiques are often irreplaceable and valuable, making it crucial to have the right insurance coverage. By ensuring proper documentation, appraisals, and choosing the right coverage (such as agreed value policies), you can safeguard your architectural pieces against damage or theft.

With the right preparation, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that these beautiful, historical elements are protected.