Cavity Wall? I am considering possible insulation improvements.
Please could someone with the relevant experience and knowledge confirm if the brick wall is a solid brick wall? I don't think there is a cavity is there? It's the end wall for an end of terrace 3 storey 1964 London townhouse. I am due to exchange on it in the next few weeks.
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Comments (40)Mary, it has been a while since I read the comments. I think you can take your time with growing with your new decluttered kitchen. It is truly beautiful with just the changes. Don't go spend a ton of money, save it and go on a holiday to a state park or something you have always wanted to do. If your friends that you invite over for dinner don't love ...... well just coming over and visiting,.... then oh well. As long as you are happy, but no need to break the bank..... you did great already. I love it, if you do more, please share though? And to bamamom, I so agree with you! My own, awful, claustrophobic kitchen is LESS than 8 ft x 11 ft... yep that tiny and horrible. I have taken out the nasty, dropped ceiling and have the slightly vaulted original one now, but with pipes showing where the HVAC was put in after and then the repiped ones....... I did not know they plumber would do this, much less the others were there.... gag me. And no money to do it up even decent....See MoreMake my room more impressive
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Comments (1)We regularly fit these systems on the houses we do as well as solar panels especially on new builds. we are not a solar company but always advise our customers on these option as they can save you a great deal of money as well as a tax free income. Air source heat pumps Like ground source heat pumps, air-to-water ASHPs work better with underfloor heating systems. If underfloor heating is not possible, large radiators should be used. This is because the heat generated by the heat pump is not as high as that produced by a conventional boiler, so a larger surface area is needed to achieve similar temperatures in your home. Air-to-water heat pumps could be better suited to new-build properties than retrofit - this is because costs could be reduced if the heat pump is included as part of the building specification, rather than having to retrofit underfloor heating later on. Heat pumps can save you more on your heating bills if you're replacing an electric, oil, LPG or coal system, rather than gas. A well-insulated house is essential to best optimise the heat generated by your ASHP - otherwise the heat the pump is generating escapes more easily. Once in place, the heat pump should require little maintenance. Air-to-water heat pumps qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Air source heat pump costs and savings ASHPs are cheaper than ground source heat pumps. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates that the cost of installing a typical ASHP system ranges between £7,000 and £11,000. The payback period (the time taken to recoup the cost of the system in energy savings) depends on how efficiently your system works, the type of system you're replacing, whether you can get money with the RHI and how you'll be using the heat generated from the pump. The EST says that an average performing air source heat pump in an average four-bedroom detached home could save: between £360 to £555 a year if replacing oil (non-condensing) between £1,200 and £1,805 a year if replacing LPG (non-condensing) between £715 and £1,295 a year if replacing electric heating (old storage heaters). It also estimated that the RHI would pay an extra £905 to £1,365 a year. Hope this helps. Regards Anthony Vyou Home improvements...See More
Rowland
3 years agoAaron Harris
3 years agoHello, Rowland and thanks for your reply. I think it is good advice with regard to the tiles. I was planning on upgrading the windows since they only achieved and 'average' on the EPC report and I suspect them to have gaps. Some of those big windows are going to cost though!
Its funny you mention the hung tiles as I have just been looking into this area. I don't think the council would let me change them as there are several properties nearby. I would like to give it a bit of facelift and bring it up to date more. I have been considering removing the tiles and reusing them as you have mentioned. I am thinking of carefully cleaning them all with a vinegar solution and scrubbing them or using my revolving patio brush for the Karcher. Whilst the tiles are off I was thinking about insulation as I have heard that they put polystyrene in there. I was thinking of cellulose / Kingspan type boards thick as possible and a breathable membrane for foil type barrier. Trouble is property is in a conservation area so if I start removing things people might start asking questions etc. What is best approval, is this like notifiable building works? Due to insulation? I know the windows need building control and Fensa if we want to sell one day.
I am currently trying out some laser cut popular ply tiles which I am intending to use on my shed/studio which I am planning to build first as we intend to convert the integrated garage. Here are some photos of a sort of more modern/renewable material version ish. I could stain the wood to match the 60's orange brown colour or paint them to look slightly modernist concrete grey! All ideas..
Aaron Harris
3 years agoThanks Rowland, I won't take too much of your time, but just wanted to add something more for this thread. I have been looking at Trevor Yorke's books/info and he did this drawing of a 1960's style house. I am thinking that there would be no blockwork behind the tiles just timber studwork and plaster board and perhaps some polystyrene. But you might be right the inner course could be blockwork. Once I carefully take a few tiles I will know more but haven't moved in yet. I was thinking of cleaning the tiles when they are off individually or using the brush in the picture. There is a lot of moss type growth in the tiles. Interesting that you said concrete I thought it was a brick like material baked in a kiln.
I am using my time for planning at the moment and costing. I checked on the local authority website and a neighbour was refused planning as they were adding a two story extension onto the side of the house and changing the porch. Basically there was a clear indication that new changes must be sympathetic to the surroundings and neighbours. But as you have said Rowland, its worth having a conversation first as its free and if the neighbours had done this they could have saved a £1000 or so as they had drawings done. Aparenty Britan wasn't ready for the modern 60's buildings at the time so they put the wall hung tiles on to help them blend in to period properties. Know it looks really dated because of the tiles!!! I don't know if I am brave enough to to change the visual appearance too much and think just revive everything would be a 'safer' way to go.
Going back to the cavity wall. Did you see there were some cut down bricks near the front edge when you look at the end face of the wall? That what was making me think there might be a cavity and as you have said in the 60's they should have been doing them. The energy EPC report assumes cavity. If anyone else thinks not cavity please let me know before I get quotes done. I think there are powered glass type insulation and also expanding foam types. But as you said it may trap water and or cause thermal bridging. I will have to research it but potentially saving £200-300 per year would help the energy bill.
Thanks again
Aaron
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