19/01/2026
Site visit - School House Retrofit
We were on site last week reviewing progress and discussing details with the contractor F A Valiant and Son Ltd.
The property, a former school dating from 1847, has been a home for many decades. Most recently, the new owners have taken the decision to upgrade the thermal comfort of the property by installing insulation to the walls and roof, amongst other measures.
Insulating a property of this age requires careful consideration and balance to ensure the longevity of the structure, appropriate moisture management, retention of features where possible and mindfulness over the project budget.
We opted for wood fibre insulation to the solid walls where it’s hygroscopic nature can provide a natural humidity buffer, allowing the wall to breathe in a very similar way to how it was originally designed to work. This approach prevents condensation and mold, improves indoor air quality and contributes to maintaining a stable temperature.
A contemporary approach has been taken at roof level, where we can achieve suitable ventilation to avoid the formation of condensation. Here we are using high performing PIR insulation to reduce the depth of insulation required and as a result retain a number of the timber features in the roof.
