KNAUF PROVIDES THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR A HARD TO TREAT HOME - 04.03.11
After a lot of research into the best
possible insulation solution for a low energy upgrade of a
Victorian property, homeowner Sue Wheat looked to Knauf Insulation
for expert advice and specified the company’s Internal Wall
Insulation (IWI) System, Loft Roll 44 and Space Board for high
quality performance.
As Knauf Insulation is the only producer of four types of
insulation, as well as being able to offer both internal and
external wall insulation systems, it was in the ideal position to
offer valuable and unbiased advice to ensure the best insulation
solution was specified for the Victorian property. This was a
significant factor in the specification stage, with the service
provided from Knauf Insulation ensuring the homeowner was informed
and confident of every decision made in the project.
Older houses are typically built using ‘solid masonry external
walls’ and are therefore not as easily treated as modern cavity
wall constructions. Sue Wheat, journalist and homeowner
explains: “I wanted to reduce our carbon footprint as much as
possible and make our house warmer as it was freezing. We don't get
much passive solar gain and the house was very draughty. As a
Victorian house it is single brick and we had a lot of
condensation, which has damaged the walls and caused a lot of mould
and damp in the past. So, we wanted to make the house less cold and
damp and more comfortable as well as more energy efficient.”
IWI systems are often the preferred alternative to upgrading
properties, delivering high levels of thermal performance cost
effectively and without having to alter the exterior appearance of
the building – an important consideration for a period property.
The system can upgrade a property to current Building Regulation
thermal standards and beyond. It consists of composite
thermally engineered studs (EcoStuds) and insulation slabs
(Earthwool® EcoBatt), which can be combined to provide greater
thicknesses of thermal insulation than achievable by using a single
thickness. What’s more, by internally insulating a wall, the
heating time for rooms is significantly reduced allowing comfort
levels to be quickly reached.
The simplicity of IWI systems allows a competent tradesman to
install and finish the system using a traditional plaster skim
finish or dry lining techniques. No scaffolding is required
and the system can be installed as part of a whole house
refurbishment plan. IWI Systems can accommodate wall
imperfections, fixings for fittings such as radiators, and can be
easily adapted around openings such as windows and doors.
For areas where the system will need to be installed around
internal plumbing, gas pipes and electrics, a registered gas
installer or tradesman with the necessary skills will be required
to install the system. “We chose a local builder, Roofing
& Restoration in Chingford, London, who had an interest in
learning about environmental building techniques and was happy to
have half a day’s training from Knauf Insulation,” explains Sue
Wheat.
The existing loft had previously been sectioned off with a
partition and a chipboard floor put in without being insulated,
which made the upgrade slightly more demanding. “To increase
thermal efficiencies within the loft we installed 300mm Loft Roll
44. The product was easy to use, even when we had to cut it to size
as the joists were particularly narrow,” said Sue, who installed
the insulation herself.
“We also used Knauf Insulation’s Space Board in part of the loft as
we wanted to continue to use it for storage. In these areas we just
put one layer of loft roll down to the top of the joists then put
the Space Board over the top.”
Space Board is especially suited for this purpose as it is a
high performance polystyrene insulation board that provides an
insulated storage deck within the loft. This energy saving product
prevents heat loss through the roof of the property, whilst the low
density glass mineral wool roll, Loft Roll 44, is lightweight,
flexible, resilient and non-combustible, and is ideal for the
provision of thermal insulation in lofts and also loft
conversions.
Sue Wheat concludes: “The Knauf Insulation IWI system has
dramatically improved our living conditions – the house feels much
warmer and maintains the heat for much longer. The expert
advice that was offered throughout each stage of the project has
been invaluable, and combined with an effective system warranty,
certainly gives me peace of mind that we have the right products
for my property.”
-ENDS-