Spacetherm Dry-Lining, 22/12/10 By Ruairi Kay

Installation of the Spacetherm dry-lining is well underway over the existing cavity wall. This is supplied by A Proctor group in Scotland. Their normal build up for this kind of project, (which has been tested by the BRE!) is to fix Spacetherm F (aerogel laminated to Fermacell board with an integrated vapour barrier) to timber battens fixed to the existing wall. In this case the depth of aerogel is 60mm to give a U-value of 0.15 W/m² K. We have [...]

Windows arrive, 09/12/10 By Ruairi Kay

The windows have arrived and are being installed on site now. The windows we have chosen for this project are EcoPassiv triple glazed windows from the Green Building Store. The thermally broken frames are made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified timber. The argon filled triple glazing with warm edge spacers gives a whole window u-value of 0.75 W/m²k. Looking at windows that have been installed beside the old PVC ones, one thing that is [...]

Blog 2: Strip Out and Work Begins, 25/11/10 2010 by Ruairi Kay

Like Hasting and Warnham Road, the strip out of the Birches is now complete and the main work is starting. First fix electrical has been done and the guys on site are currently constructing the plant deck in the loft. These needs to be suspended 400mm above the existing joists to allow for the new 450mm Rockprime loft insulation and will support the heat recovery ventilation unit and invertors for the photovoltaic [...]

Blog 1: Introduction, 1/11/10 by Ruairi Kay

14 The Birches is a 1950’s end of terrace property which has already undergone ‘Decent Homes Standard’ improvements.  Works such as window replacement and loft/cavity wall insulation have previously been carried out in a piecemeal fashion and have resulted in a property that is satisfactory for living in. The house is built in a traditional cavity wall construction, with timber facias, plastic gutters and concrete [...]