Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:29:42 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11075#Comment_11075 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11075#Comment_11075 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:11:54 +0000 Kparry I have a 12 year old 3 bed room detached house with a large conservatory extension and converted garage.It already has UPVC glazing,fitted about 3/4 years ago.The insulation is as fitted when built-about 100mm in loft.No cellar etc.
It is costing huge amounts to heat and some parts of the house are always cold.
The boiler is due for renewal and we would like to do a loft conversion and open up living room into the converted garage space.Given the extent of the changes we plan i was hoping we could improve it's Green credentials at the same time.
I know little about it,but like the thought of wood burning stoves/heating,renewable solar energy,insulation and making the place airtight(how).I have concerns over cavity wall insulation as i thought the cavity had a purpose.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11081#Comment_11081 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11081#Comment_11081 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:20:08 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11087#Comment_11087 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11087#Comment_11087 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:57:24 +0000 Kparry https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11089#Comment_11089 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11089#Comment_11089 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:03:23 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11105#Comment_11105 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11105#Comment_11105 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:35:43 +0000 Kparry https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11137#Comment_11137 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11137#Comment_11137 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:06:46 +0000 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820

Try reading the above thread, basically I am thinking that you are possibly living in a tent made out of plasterboard as outside air is able to blow arround behind your plasterboard. There are also problems under the floors too to look at. Try holding a candle near a socket outlet on an outside wall.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11160#Comment_11160 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11160#Comment_11160 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:42:06 +0000 Chris Wardle https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11172#Comment_11172 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11172#Comment_11172 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:34:19 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11185#Comment_11185 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11185#Comment_11185 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:39:09 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11212#Comment_11212 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11212#Comment_11212 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:11:44 +0000 Kparry
I have just experienced the high cost and problems of getting my daughters house replastered,so alternatives are welcome.

If i was to wet plaster as you suggest on all walls changed/exposed in my renovation and fill remaining walls as suggested(how would this be done & would it be safe with the wires etc running behind the plaster board).

In addition i could add cavity wall insulation and more loft insulation.(does losing filling the cavity have any downsides? with circulation obviously inhibited.)

Going back to my original question what steps would you take next.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11219#Comment_11219 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11219#Comment_11219 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:52:08 +0000 tony
Yes do do cavity insulation as well as wet plastering.

More loft insulation is a good idea but may not be economic if you intend loft conversion in the near future.

Get structural changes out of the way first, then address air leakages ( read other threads for this too), Floor insulation if suspended floor?

Thermally isolate the conservatory.

Solar hot water, other things could include rain water recycling, grey water recycling, heat pump and eventually solar pv?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11231#Comment_11231 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11231#Comment_11231 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:36:01 +0000 Kparry You make no mention of heating system fire & boiler to be replaced ,what do you think of would burning options.
I misread an earlier posting about cavities.Can i retro fit insulation into studded & dabbed plasterboard walls. i.e. inject anything???]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11232#Comment_11232 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11232#Comment_11232 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:51:03 +0000 tony
I think burning wood is polluting and adding CO2 to the atmosphere.

You can have foam (or fibres or beads) injected into masonry cavity walls. Indeed it is a good thing to do.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11427#Comment_11427 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11427#Comment_11427 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:14:00 +0000 chocolatepixie Quote "I think burning wood is polluting and adding CO2 to the atmosphere."
I have to respectfully disagree with this though it does depend on several things - such as where you get the wood from, how dry it is, and how efficient your woodburner is.
Wood that is well seasoned and is burnt efficiently burns relatively cleanly. Some stoves burn so cleanly they are allowed in smokeless zones.
Also, wood is a renewable source of fuel. The carbon it releases when burnt is the same carbon that it absorbed while growing. So long as the cycle continues, this does not involve extra carbon entering the atmosphere permanently (as is the case with fossil fuels). So - burn wood that would have been dumped in landfill or burnt on a bonfire (building sites are terribly wasteful of wood), get offcuts from a friendly joiner or source it from a well-managed woodland.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11488#Comment_11488 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1003&Focus=11488#Comment_11488 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:19:48 +0000 chuckey From what I have read, cavity walls were the answer to prevent rain ingress through solid brick walls. They were always fully ventilated, so you were living in a single skin building as far as thermal considerations were concerned. There could be a downside to solid foam injection, if the cavity ties are sloping the wrong way - I have seen this in a 1970s bungalow - outer skin of the wall was re-built. But if you choose fibre or beads they are bulletproof against water. Any water finding its way into the cavity will go downwards not across, so keeping the inner skin dry. But both types can/will settle. You pays ya money. . . .
Frank]]>