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Choose materials carefully
In this project, sheep's wool and wood fibre insulation were used in the walls of the extension and a recycled glass foam insulation with capillary break was installed underneath the floor slab, which meant the project reduced the amount of carbon required while providing good insulation.
"Because Victorian buildings are designed with traditional materials, we would highly recommend not using any petrochemical insulation like foam or plastic PIR insulation," explains Tom Housden, director at Outpost Architects.
"We would also recommend using materials to allow some vapour to travel in and out of the walls so you don't trap moisture in the walls. This would be insulation like timber fibres, sheep's wool, lime render, hemp, and straw panels. They all need to be used in the right way - the wrong way can also create issues.
"They're not very difficult to use and they're not very dangerous - with the right precautions taken - which means if you are struggling to find someone to do the work or if you can't afford it, it's easy to watch a few videos, do some reading and do it yourself."
Consider retrofit costs
There's no getting away from the fact that improving a home's energy efficiency can be a costly business, and while costs may not immediately be recouped, homeowners (and buyers) are becoming more aware of the importance of a well-insulated home. And if you're planning to stay put, the savings in energy bills alone can make a significant difference.
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Esta historia es de la edición December 2022 de Homebuilding & Renovating.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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