insulating a 17th century listed farmhouse.

[kim]

would anybody have any ideas on what i can use on the external walls,
i am in the process of beginning the work on pulling off the 1950`s
horrible concrete and re applying a lime render, but , i want to insulate
between the render and wattle and daub walls, my local council havn`t
been all that helpful ?

:lol: kim

 

[Wishful Thinker]

Hi Kim,

When we had our 16th century house renovated, the builders used some space age insulation, but I don't know what its called. It looked like padded (quilted) tin foil. It wasn't very thick (3/8 inch) but its supposed to have some fantastic thermal properties. It was put between the studs and mesh and plaster over the top. Good luck.

 

[kim]

thanks wishful thinker,

was this insulation in a roll ? and how did they get it to stay on the
wall before plastering over ?

 

[Wishful Thinker]

yes, it came on a roll. What they did was fix battens all the way around the insides of the studs (its a close studded house and they are only about 12 inches apart) and the insultation was held in place by the mesh nailed into the battens. Hope that this isn't too vague to be useful, but the builders did the actual work.

I am not sure how to attach a picture of the finished product :?

 

[Nemesis]

The insulating properties of foil is a subject for debate. It may not be as useful as the manufacturers claim.

Insulating a wattle and daub timber framed building in the manner described may cause a great deal of difficulty with the breathability of the building and the dissipation of damp, and there is a possibilty that it could aid decay in the building.

In other historic buildings also this type of unbreathable insulation may cause longer term problems.

 

[Wishful Thinker]

There was no wattle and daub left in my house. Internally and externally it is now lime plastered (externally it had been covered in hanging tiles).

 

[Nemesis]

Lime plaster with a layer of metal mesh and an impermeable foil membrane incorporated?

 

[Wishful Thinker]

The padded foil is not sealed in at the edges. The rain doesn't get through plaster and it all seems to work very well Happy to attach picture if someone tells me how :?

 

[Nemesis]

I would suggest that advice is taken from a specialist body such as the SPAB before non-breathable insulation is incorporated into breathable wall structures.

The SPAB is expressing concern regarding the increasing use of such insulation and the long term effects on historic structures.

 

[kim]

yes nemises i agree i was looking for a product that is completly green,something like sheeps wool maybe!!
we need to insulate the walls with something without putting the structure in any danger of moisture problems,we already have infestation of deathwacth beetle,so the need to dry the timbers and keep them dry is the upmost importance.

 

[Wishful Thinker]

The timbers, and the house is very dry. English Heritage have been involved. Fear not :wink:

 

[kim]

im sorry wishfull thinker what ia it that you mean??????

 

[Nemesis]

English Heritage does at times get things very wrong also.

 

[Craig]

Kim - you could use sheeps wool (Thermafleece) - dry line the walls with timber studding, incorporating 100mm of Thermafleece, and use appropriate vapour barriers and breather membranes. This will allow the wall to retain its breathability but will be warm. Have a look at Thermafleece's website. http://www.secondnatureuk.com/where.htm

It will make your rooms smaller though.

This is essentially what wooden panelling does, but usually without the wool.

 

[kim]

thanks craig, it looks like something we could look into,i need to know if you can use this product on the external rather than the internal as we have wattle and daub exsposing internally,so we cant really put it inside.
i hope i am putting across easily what it is i mean,and thankyou to everyone who has helped.

:lol: kim

 

[Craig]

Good point - dont know.

Whay cant you insulate over the W&D?

 

[Nemesis]

This would radically alter the appearance of the building and it may not be appropriate, particularly where a building is listed or in a conservation area.

The insulation would require a covering, boarding or similar, and it brings difficulties where it meets roofing, door and window frames, and the like.

Timber framing with wattle and daub requires a high level of breathability and I urge caution when considering any alterations to a breathable structure.

 

[kim]

thanks nemesis, your advice is taken seriously!! listed buildings and building regulations are overseeing the works,so nothing would be carried out if it where to be seen unapropriate or damaging to the building,we love our house and are just trying to be thoughtful of its history,but at the same time want to keep it warm if at all poss,we are trying every avenue.

:lol: kim

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mai...w-environmental_science-building_projects.htm

Thought-provoking and could be of use in your situation.

 

[Penners]

Kim

I am unclear on one point: what is the construction of your house?

As you're in Stowmarket, I wonder if it's a traditional East Anglian timber-frame building? If so, and if you're pulling off the external render, then presumably you'll reveal a series of cavities between the beams, and between the internal wattle/daub and the new external render.

If this is the case, I would definitely consider putting Thermafleece into the cavity. Craig has given you their website details.