Hertfordshire low energy efficient retrofit

[lauraCWretrofit]

We are in the initial stages of learning how we fully retrofit our 1968 detached house to be insulated, air tight and ventilated using the most sustainable, 'healthy' materials.

[Rishard]

How is the learning going? Have you decided on the way in which you plan to insulate the building? Opting for the more sustainable materials generally means you need more of it to achieve the same u values. It also tends to be more on the expensive side. I took a short course on radical retro-fit which focused on exactly this. There are a few options. External insulation and render or internal insulation. Both have different pros and cons. Often the deciding factor is what is allowed in your area. Once one of these options is decided then you can narrow down your insulation material options. I work on a lot of conservation projects which require breathable materials, these also fall under the ‘sustainable/green’ category by default. 
 

is your building cavity wall? 

[joth]

Welcome!

Last year we completed a retrofit of a 1960s property in Herts, using pavatherm wood fibre EWI. The details are on the PH DB.

Airtight construction with breathable wall construction and MVHR makes for great internal air quality.

 

Happy to help if you have any Herts specific queries ? 

[Iceverge]

Welcome welcome,

 

Can you give a better description of your house construction please. Type of walls, floor roof windows etc. Is it a big bang renovation or piece by piece?

 

Beware the advertising for "green" materials (although I am a fan). 

 

Your primary route to air quality is through airtightness and mechanical ventilation. 

 

If you couple this to eliminating thermal bridging and enough insulation you'll have a very healthy house. 

 

As ever, care will need to be taken to ensure you're not trapping moisture in the structure with a renovation, or a new build for that matter. Some natural breathable materials can be safer in this regard but they are not a panacea.

[SteamyTea]

Hard to beat mineral wool as a natural insulation material.

Just some rocks spun up in a very hot candyfloss machine.

You can get an idea of the embodied energy and carbon dioxide of materials from the ICE database.

[JamesP]

I used both Pavatherm T&G and Rockwool in our new build. Easy to fit.

@joth Thanks for your link to the PH DB, lots of information.