How to Rewire Your Home With Authentic 1940s Techniques

I have always been fascinated by the architecture and design aesthetic of the 1940s. There is something so charming about the simple, clean lines and attention to quality craftsmanship. As a homeowner, I wanted to incorporate some of that old-world charm into my modern home. Rewiring a home using techniques from the 1940s is an undertaking, but it allows you to recreate the authentic look and feel of that era. Here is how I went about rewiring my home with 1940s techniques:

Selecting Period-Appropriate Electrical Materials

• The wiring itself needs to match what was used in the 1940s. This means cloth-covered wiring, not the plastic-sheathed wiring used today. Copper wiring was common, so I opted for 12/2 gauge copper wire with a cotton braided cover.
• For outlets and switches, choose ones with a smooth bakelite faceplate. Bakelite was an early plastic used for electrical fittings. The simple, plain faceplates match the 1940s aesthetic.
• Opt for metal toggle light switches. Plastic was not common yet, so go with metal. I found great reproduction switches with curved "paddle" toggles.
• Use vintage-style porcelain lamp sockets. Many companies still make classic Edison-style sockets. I paired these with cloth-covered lamp cord for table and floor lamps.

Removing Old Wiring

• I hired an electrician to remove all the existing wiring from my home. This gave me a blank slate to work from.
• We disconnected the main electrical service to the house to ensure safety while the old wiring was removed.
• Workers took down my gypsum drywall to access the wall cavities and remove all the old wiring and insulation. This process took 2 days for my medium-sized home.

Installing New Vintage-Style Wiring

• With the walls opened up, I could access the wall studs to begin installing the new cloth-covered wiring.
• We drilled holes through the studs to thread the wiring between rooms. Care was taken not to pierce existing plumbing lines.
• The electrician attached the wiring to the studs using vintage-style metal staples spaced appropriately.
• At each outlet and switch, we cut the wire, stripped the ends, and attached them to the receptacles using period-appropriate techniques.
• For lighting, we ran the cloth-covered lamp cord up to the ceiling electrical boxes.

Finishing Up Walls and Fixtures

• Once all the wiring was securely installed, inspected, and tested, we closed up the walls. New drywall was installed and finished with plaster for an authentic look.
• I installed all the vintage-style light switches, outlets, and lamp sockets. Their classic designs blended in seamlessly.
• For lighting fixtures, I scoured flea markets to find original sconces, pendants, and chandeliers from the 1940s. Their use completes the period look.

Rewiring my home using 1940s techniques took more time and effort than a standard modern wiring job. But the end result is a home wired just like 75+ years ago, seamlessly blending the charm and quality of that era. My lights glows a little warmer, knowing my home has been wired by hand in the truest sense.