Victorian house or new build?

[Sahmof3]

I live in a beautiful Victorian property packed with original features. Most of the year I absolutely love it, but in the winter it is positively arctic and I'm beginning to dread the onset already. Having to cook dinner with three jumpers and a coat on is no fun, and that is with the heat on! I usually end up in bed by 9pm, just so that I can take advantage of the electric blanket. With fuel bills on the rise again, I'm wondering whether it's time to bail out and buy a new build? I'd be warm and cosy and have a lot more dosh, but new builds are usually short on space and rather bland and uninspiring. Plus I worry that a new build would be a poor investment...or do you think perhaps they'll become more attractive to purchasers as energy prices continue their march upwards? What do you think? Would you prefer to live in an old property or a new one?

we got our sash windows double glazed and it made a big difference. we have carpets as well and that makes a big difference - we also lifted floorboards and put more insulation under them to stop drafts coming up so that probably contributed to helping a carpet make a difference. pillows in all the fireplaces we don't use too. we always close the doors in all the rooms as it makes the place feel warmer.

had a new build and lived in it for 10 years before we moved to our current house - never again springs to mind...

Definitely old. I love old houses. Ours is Victorian and yes it is freezing in the winter and expensive to run. But I just love it. My in laws are new build people and think I am crazy, but I grew up in big old houses with no heating and to me it's normal.

We had the loft insulated prior to last winter. Not sure if I noticed a difference or not! Also got long, lined curtains in the living room. Those combined with our wood burner meant our living room was often uncomfortably hot!

We probably only spent around £100 on wood last year and have the wood burner on most days from late afternoon. It took us a while to get to grips with it but its great. I don't think I would have one in the kitchen as I think it would be too hot combined with cooking heat.

Where do you all go scavenging for wood? We go on forest walks but wasnt sure it was permitted to nick armfuls of wood!

We live in an old draughty house, we can't seal the draughts though because we get terrible condensation if we do - we need the house to constantly be airing.

Go for the happy medium... 1930s house. Embrace the parquet floors, tiled fireplaces (see www.c20fireplaces.co.uk/), and quarry tiled kitchens. There's a good range of sizes, and detached, semi or terrace to choose from. They mostly have cavity walls. They don't typically suffer from damp. They have character in spades, and if you get lucky, you'll find a wealth of original features... If not, they make a lovely restoration job.

If you lean to Victorian style, bec, take your 1930s house down the Arts & Crafts route... Think William Morris, Charles rennie mackintosh and Charles voysey. It's a sort of halfway house, and the lighter colours will work better in your setting than Victorian darks.

I love the 1930s style. DH is all contemporary and when we come to buy a house we will clash over style but my twopence worth is old, Victorian also lovely in my opinion but you can only do what works for you.