Eco-renovation and retro-fit insulation upgrade to a Harrogate property
(2010 / 2011)

1. Customers requirements / Job description,

Property Description,   A mid terrace stone property built in the late 1880`s- 1890s

Project type,   A Retro-fit insulation project combined with essential property repairs.

The homeowner wanted to combine internal repairs with essential renovation work, and with improved levels of thermal Insulation, the property was cold and hard to keep warm, and was suffering from damp and severe condensation, the property had previously had in-effective and costly damp treatments that had not worked.

In order to achieve the high levels of insulation required to the walls and roof space, a detailed home survey was carried out, and a specification and schedule of work was provided by THIAS.

2. Work undertaken

• The roof was stripped and re-slated using a high quality breathable membrane, sections of the roof were insulated while the roof was exposed, the roof was also ventilated correctly to prevent condensation, a new Velux  roof window was installed to allow natural light into the loft space.

• The entire ground floor of the property was insulated, new insulation was fixed beneath the floor boards, this was possible as the floor boards were being removed to allow essential repairs to floor joists and to improve the sub-floor ventilation, this work was required due to a lack of air-bricks, and the resulting condensation which was mistaken for rising damp.

• A fully boarded out loft space was created with new floor joists and high levels of insulation installed at rafter level, giving a dry and clean space for storage and future development.

• Outer walls were lined with thermal boards on a treated timber batten system,  the remaining walls were re-plastered, old and perished plaster was removed from certain walls, and a specialist renovating plaster system developed by THIAS was used to give a dry wall.

• Where space was limited in certain rooms, the outer walls were lined with a thin high performance thermal lining system.

• External renovation work included re-pointing and stone restoration work using traditional lime mortars.

3. Conclusion

Following completion  of the Eco-renovation project to this Harrogate home.

The homeowner now has a very well insulated home and can expect lower fuel bills in the future,  condensation and the problem of unsightly mould has been removed, and improved levels of ventilation to all parts of the property will prevent future damp problems re-occurring.