Sun, 31 May 2026 03:10:33 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8806#Comment_8806 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8806#Comment_8806 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 08:09:16 +0000 Paul_B
Our house is a ten year old modern detached building with double glazing and cavity wall insulation. Therefore, where do I start the improvements? What would give the best return in terms of money and environmental benefit?

Many thanks,

Paul]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8807#Comment_8807 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8807#Comment_8807 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 09:29:01 +0000 WoodYouLikeKent https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8809#Comment_8809 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8809#Comment_8809 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 10:13:47 +0000 Nick Parsons https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8811#Comment_8811 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8811#Comment_8811 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 10:50:36 +0000 tony
Is your house dry lined ie blobbed and dobbed?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8812#Comment_8812 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8812#Comment_8812 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 11:32:20 +0000 Paul_B
Floorboards are chipboard sheets with un-instulated floor void to the ceiling below. Loft space is filled with rockwool to a level above the rafters, not exactly sure how thick I'll have to measure the next time I am up there.

Windows are PVCu double-glazed. All have internal seals where the window closes. Front door is probably wood veneer with internal insulation and rubber seal in closure. Letter-box has two flaps and a brush for draught-proofing. Just fitted full length thick curtains in front of the front door.

Paul]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8814#Comment_8814 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8814#Comment_8814 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 12:37:31 +0000 tony
It is not easy to stop but unless you do then on windy days you are going to be cold and loosing far too much heat -- akin to living in a plasterboard tent.

Sorry, move house or take off the dry linings and wet plaster-- yikes!! I know --- there are no real alternatives may be go room at a time?

There is another problem almost as big and that is that between the ceiling and the first floor wind and cold from outside can whistle arround cooling both the ceiling and the floor rather like having no loft insulation -- again a difficult problem to solve air enters through the blocks and cracks and gaps in the blocks between and parallel to the joists and arround the joist ends. All of this in an almost inaccesible place to get at.

Loft insulation could be increased to 300mm.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8817#Comment_8817 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8817#Comment_8817 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 13:03:42 +0000 Paul_B
Are there any guides I could follow on this subject? Could I batten the internal side of the external walls and insulate further? If so should I go enviromental insulation such as wool or man-made foam sheets? Shoul I then replaster for clay or lime rather than normal plaster?

I don't mind lifting the chipboard and again insulating the void, but again what would be best, what do I need to consider. At the same time it would be nice to fit underfloor heating to run a lower temperature, remove the unappealing radiators (all under windows) and have a more distributed heating system with room control.

If I do start ripping stuff out can any of it be recycled?

Paul]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8820#Comment_8820 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8820#Comment_8820 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:37:13 +0000 tony
The chipboard flooring can be carefully taken up and reused

The idea whether or not you batten would be to wet plaster all the block work including between the floor and ceiling to let it form you air tightness barrier, link it to all other ones, frames , openings, ceilings, floors etc.

You can use any wet plaster system, lime would be great.

To lift chipboard flooring first pull the nails out with a nail puller I have one where are you? Then disengage the t&g and lift the sheet cutting at walls that have been built in the floor and inserting support noggins to carry the cut edges.

For underfloor heating upstairs you will need to lift almost all the sheets and the air sealing of the floor void perimeter becomes even more crucial.

Sounds like you have a good grip on the works needed and I wish you a successful outcome

What is the ground floor construction?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8822#Comment_8822 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8822#Comment_8822 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:16:33 +0000 Paul_B
I'm just outside Eastbourne. Do you have a link to the nailer puller you use? In the past I have ended up using a hole cutter around the nails in the chipboard because most are buried beneath the surface. When cutting the chipboard close to the skirting are there any trade secrets for getting as close as possible, or is it just a case of a circular saw leaving a couple of inches of skirting all round?

The ground floor is a concrete slab and I am really not sure what to do with it to improve the heat retention. Again I would like to move away from the current radiators for aesthetic reason as much as anything. But then what are my options, underfloor heating would raise the floor in all rooms and would I just be heating the slab and loosing heat away? I did think about radiant panels as sold by Construction Resources but as they seem to be the only supplier in the UK of such a technology I can't help thinking it may not be viable.

Paul]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8824#Comment_8824 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8824#Comment_8824 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 18:20:25 +0000 tony
use hand saw or sabre saw near walls and dont be afraid to remove skirtings. Pull the sheets out from under the skirtings where possible.

For g/f underfloor heating take up screed (top 50mm usually and easy to do) and replace it with pipes in it or a floating floor?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8828#Comment_8828 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8828#Comment_8828 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:50:54 +0000 Paul_B
Thank you very much. I have been toiling with this for some time.

How easy is it to remove the screed? Do I need a special piece of equipment?

Paul]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8829#Comment_8829 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8829#Comment_8829 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:03:22 +0000 tony
Hit the floor all over and start taking out lumps as soon as you can then lever up hopefully big pieces of it -- mind out for pipes buried in it.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8830#Comment_8830 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8830#Comment_8830 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:40:59 +0000 Paul_B

Well just spent the day scarifing my front lawn so I am knackered, puts me in a good position for having a go at the floor!

What would be considered as a minimul insulation layer between slab and UFH? Guess I'm looking at a phenolic foam insulation?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8831#Comment_8831 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8831#Comment_8831 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 21:57:08 +0000 tony
If you read other threads you will find that i dont think that underfloor insulation is all that necessary! Round the edge of the floor -- yes or better down the walls outside to the foundations would work well. there will only be room for 20 mm max probably on your the floor.

The heat finds it very difficult to escape from the centre of the floor so much so that I think that the temperatures on both sides of the insulation under the centre of the floor are the same in steady state. ie the insulation is not doing anything, this is controversial but the idea is to make use of the thermal mass of the floor and the stuff under the house too to help maintain a stable temperature in the rooms. As you get nearer the outside walls it is easier so that is why I say insulate downwards.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8862#Comment_8862 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8862#Comment_8862 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:53:33 +0000 Solar bore
We have done so in our hallway 1890's terrace.
Its exceeded my expectations, the inner door is the old back door with the thinnest double gazing I could find when I upgraded it 15yrs ago.
Have turned off the radiator in air lock (sufficient room to have cycle in)
shut one door before opening other.

Don't forget to take pictures of work as you progress if only to prove you have done work if you ever sell up!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8863#Comment_8863 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8863#Comment_8863 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 08:12:05 +0000 Solar bore
I had my energy usage put on a spreadsheet on last Friday.

As a result I can see I have saved £446.00 in 2006 and a £651.00 in 2007
In November 2005 had a condensing boiler fitted. total energy use £1098

My Gas costs 2.59 p KWh & Electric 10.62 p no standing Charge.

If you would like a copy of spreadsheet my address is on members page info.

So since 2005 I have spent saved £1098.00.

We have spent
£2500 on new boiler and installing non electric shower.
£2300 Solar Panel after money back from Gov.£400 + Chester Council £100
£1100 Multi-fuel Stove in front room
£0080 Fan to sit on Stove - brilliant piece of kit.
--------
£5980]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8901#Comment_8901 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8901#Comment_8901 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:11:32 +0000 Terry https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8904#Comment_8904 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=820&Focus=8904#Comment_8904 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 22:56:56 +0000 tony