Sat, 30 May 2026 20:00:10 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9150#Comment_9150 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9150#Comment_9150 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:38:09 +0000 Mike (Up North)
Can anyone make any suggestions to better insulate the following.

Draught proofing and effective use of energy are already being addressed. I need to increase the insulation in an old stone built cottage.

Walls are rough stone/rubble with possible lime mortar (100yr old property) ranging from 2 to 3 feet thick then battens then lath and plaster/pitch pine boards.

Please do not suggest ripping all out as it is being lived in and well it’s just not do-able like that. It’s basically sound and original, but needs to be greatly improved. Even if it does not get the req’d thickness to meet current standards it will be a great improvement. External insulation is a non starter as well.

I have considered some sort of loose fill poured down the cavity between wall and plaster but the wall heads are not very accessible and the battening is haphazard (from past experience) so it might not go that far down. Also from looking at sub-floor level, I’m not sure what’s to stop it simply falling out the bottom. You can’t get to the bottoms as from below the wall below floor level is much thicker (another couple of feet) so you can’t actually see what at the end of the joists.

I have thought about some sort of squirt in foam (yuk) not ideal but might be the only solution as could be done progressively from the inside. I am worried this might cause damp etc as I imagine the walls can breathe a bit as is. Also this would further stop draughts within the shell of the building, but that in itself may be giving the necessary ventilation.

I have discovered from an internet search that there is a difference between the can foam from DIY stores (single component, open cell structure = porous) and that sold by others – specialists (?) these being 2 part component, closed cell structure = non-porous.

Another problem in that living in the far north many esoteric or natural materials are not available without huge round trips.

Any ideas anyone? Suggestions?

Cheers.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9152#Comment_9152 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9152#Comment_9152 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:25:16 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9155#Comment_9155 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9155#Comment_9155 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:47:32 +0000 Mike (Up North) Cant do external. Planners wont allow. I think there would be problems with reveals etc plus interfring with other adjoining bits of building - it is a detached property though. Also dont want to cover up pointed stone work.

Cheers anyway]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9159#Comment_9159 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9159#Comment_9159 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:09:30 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9269#Comment_9269 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9269#Comment_9269 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:43:37 +0000 Mike (Up North) Cheers]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9271#Comment_9271 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=849&Focus=9271#Comment_9271 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:40:48 +0000 fostertom
PS in olden times, 'building' was the name for the low-grade task of filling the interior wall with rubbish stone, after or while the high-grade masons built the outer facings. That's what it means, to be a 'builder'!]]>