In the UK 26 million dwellings are jointly responsible for 27% of UK CO2 emissions, resulting from energy consumption. An estimated 6.6 million (25%) dwellings have solid walls. Solid walls are a great conductor of heat, expelling up to 45% of a households heat to the garden, so clearly something must be done! The answer is insulation. Although not as sexy as renewable energy, in terms of the energy saved per £ spent, insulation is king. However, insulating solid walled homes is not as straightforward as injecting insulation into their cavity-walled counterparts. Solid walls in old houses behave differently to their cavity-walled counterparts, with respect to moisture control, as solid brick or limestone walls are vapour permeable, enabling moisture (vapour) to pass through the structure. These same materials may also be hygroscopic, absorbing and releasing moisture with fluctuating humidity. The phrase used to describe these processes is "breathability."
Insulating solid walls requires that consideration be given to these moisture flows, particularly in older buildings that do not have a damp proof course incorporated. Some argue that cloaking solid walls in non-breathable insulation materials could store up problems (damp, mould, condensation, structural damage) for the future. Fortunately, insulation materials made from natural (breathable) fibres do exist, enabling older buildings to be transformed from thermal nightmare to thermal exemplar, whilst maintaining breathability and moisture control. Such materials can be incorporated internally or externally, and used with breathable renders (lime) and finishes. For architects and building professionals involved with thermally upgrading older buildings, particularly those of traditional and period design, use of natural insulation materials should be considered.
The Greenshop is able to supply a range of natural insulation products, including Gutex range (http://www.gutex.de/en/index.html), specialising in wood-fibre based wall, floor and roof insulations, as well as Thermafleece and Warmcel products. For more information contact: Tel - 01452 772030 / E: enquiries@greenshopsolar.co.uk / Web: www.Greenshop.co.uk
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