Insulation
We round-up articles on design, specification and implementation of insulation and mittigating its effects.
Energy-wasting homes mean higher bills and climate-warming emissions. With UK homes some of the most expensive to heat in Europe, why did an ambitious plan to make all new homes 'zero carbon' fail?
Most of a building’s problems can be traced to moisture. It causes wood to decay, concrete to crack, fungus to grow, metals to corrode, pipes to burst (from the cycle of freezing and thawing), and it damages and discolours interior finishes. Understand moisture and you can prevent damp occuring.
Cavity wall insulation can be a great way of improving the thermal performance of a building, making it both warmer and cheaper to heat, but it's not always a suitable solution. We explore the pros and cons.
While the three little pigs may not favour houses made of straw there's much to recommend straw bales in modern construction. We single out some exemplar projects and present a guide to using straw in your construction projects.
This article explores the defining characteristics of the Passivhaus standard for eco-friendly dwellings.
A new generation of smart tech is set to banish the annual ritual of trying to set the central heating timer for good. We check out the next wave of smart heating controls. Which solution is right for you?
A reinterpreted farmstead has become the first Certified Passivhaus in Northumberland and winner of the Small Projects Category at the 2015 Passivhaus Awards organised by the Passivhaus Trust.
U-values measure how effective a material is an insulator. We look in detail at terminology and core concepts when it comes to thermal performance.
This programme will present key research on the impact of energy efficiency strategies - such as the installation of insulation, draught-proofing and boiler upgrades - in low-income houses. It especially focuses on the health benefits of these improvements for elderly and infirm occupants and those generally regarded to be in fuel poverty.
We explore the hazards of moisture penetration in external walls and ways to avoid problems.
We look at ways of mitigating the risk of condensation when insulating various roof types.
We explore different types of thatch and how to mittigate some of the risks around its use on a construction project.
