From an 1800s Stone Cottage to a Warmer, More Efficient Home
External Wall Insulation & Silicone Render Transformation | Nottinghamshire Countryside
Project Overview
Some properties need more than a new finish—they need a carefully considered transformation.
This project involved an 1800s stone cottage in the Nottinghamshire countryside, together with a newer extension to the rear of the property.
Chris wanted to dramatically improve the appearance of his home and create the kerb appeal the property deserved. However, appearance was only part of the objective.
With a ground source heat pump already installed, improving the thermal performance of the property was equally important. The heat pump had been expensive to run, largely because the older property was losing heat through its existing walls.
The solution was to install a complete 110mm Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation system, finished with an attractive off-white silicone render with a subtle hint of yellow.
The result is a home that has been completely transformed—both visually and thermally.
The Challenge
Older properties always bring their own challenges, and this cottage was no exception.
The original property was constructed from stone in the 1800s, while a newer extension had been added to the rear at a later date. Bringing these different parts of the property together into one cohesive, attractive finish required careful planning and preparation.
Before we could even begin installing the External Wall Insulation system, several issues with the property needed to be addressed.
The work included:
- Extending the existing roof structure
- What initially began as a roof extension ultimately became a new roof and extension
- Discovering a leak in the downstairs bathroom
- The bathroom subsequently needing to be replaced
- Working around replacement windows that had already been installed before our work began
Only once these essential issues had been resolved could the External Wall Insulation work properly begin.
This preparation was vital. At WPS Plastering Contractors, we understand that achieving a high-quality finish starts long before the final render is applied.
The Homeowner’s Vision
Chris wanted to retain the character of his countryside home while giving it a much cleaner, more modern appearance.
He wanted a property that:
✔ Looked attractive from the moment you arrived
✔ Had significantly improved kerb appeal
✔ Was warmer and more comfortable
✔ Reduced heat loss from the older stone construction
✔ Worked more efficiently alongside his existing ground source heat pump
✔ Would provide a durable, attractive finish for many years to come
External Wall Insulation provided the ideal solution.
Why Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation?
For this property, we installed a 110mm Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation system from EWI Pro across the entire property, including both the original cottage and the newer extension.
External Wall Insulation works by creating a continuous layer of insulation around the outside of the building.
This helps to reduce heat loss through the walls while also providing the opportunity to completely transform the external appearance of the property.
The mineral fibre insulation was particularly suited to this type of older property, providing an effective solution while allowing the building to be upgraded externally.
The Installation
Once the necessary preparation work had been completed, we were able to begin transforming the property.
The entire building was fitted with 110mm EWI Pro Mineral Fibre insulation, carefully installed to create a continuous insulated envelope around the home.
Particular attention was required around:
- The original cottage and newer extension
- Windows and reveals
- Rooflines and eaves
- Changes in the building structure
- Junctions between different sections of the property
- External details and finishing areas
Every property is different, particularly when working on a building that has evolved over more than a century.
Careful planning and attention to detail were essential to ensure that the finished property looked cohesive, despite the original cottage and later extension having been constructed at different times.
Four Months of British Weather!
The project took approximately four months to complete, and during that time we experienced the full range of British weather.
Working externally means that the weather always plays a significant role in how a project progresses, and this job certainly kept us on our toes.
Over the course of the installation, it felt as though we experienced several seasons!
External Wall Insulation and rendering work requires the right conditions at the right stages of installation. Rather than rushing work simply to meet a timescale, we carefully worked around the conditions to ensure that each stage of the installation was completed properly.
While the weather created its challenges, the end result made every difficult day worthwhile.
The Silicone Render Finish
Once the insulation system had been installed and prepared, the property was finished using an EWI Pro silicone render system.
Chris chose an attractive off-white finish with a subtle hint of yellow, giving the property a warm and welcoming appearance.
The colour works particularly well with the surrounding countryside and complements the roof tiles, windows and architectural features of the property.
The silicone render provides the final layer of protection and creates the clean, modern appearance that Chris was looking for.
The Transformation
The difference between the original property and the finished home is remarkable.
What was once an ageing stone cottage with a later extension has been transformed into a cohesive, modern-looking home with dramatically improved kerb appeal.
The External Wall Insulation system has brought the entire property together visually, creating a consistent finish across both the original cottage and the newer extension.
But the transformation isn’t just about appearance.
Chris has also seen a significant improvement in the performance of the property.
Supporting a More Efficient Home
One of the main reasons for undertaking the project was to improve the thermal performance of the property.
Chris already had a ground source heat pump installed, but before the External Wall Insulation work was completed, the system was proving expensive to run.
With the older stone walls allowing significant heat loss, the heating system had to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the home.
Since the completion of the 110mm Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation system, Chris has reported that his heating bills have come down significantly.
By improving the thermal envelope of the property and reducing heat loss through the external walls, the home is now better positioned to retain the heat generated by the ground source heat pump.
This is exactly the type of improvement that makes External Wall Insulation such an attractive option for owners of older properties.
The Finished Result
Today, the property has been completely transformed.
Chris now has:
✔ A dramatically improved exterior
✔ Fantastic kerb appeal
✔ A cohesive finish across the original cottage and extension
✔ 110mm Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation
✔ A premium EWI Pro silicone render finish
✔ A warmer and more thermally efficient home
✔ Reduced heating costs since the insulation work was completed
✔ A home that looks ready to serve the family for many years to come
A Transformation We’re Proud Of
This project is a great example of what can be achieved when External Wall Insulation is used to transform an older property.
It wasn’t a straightforward job.
Before the insulation work could even begin, the property required significant additional work, including roofing alterations and resolving an unexpected bathroom leak.
Once the property was ready, the installation itself presented further challenges, from working around an old stone cottage and newer extension to managing four months of unpredictable British weather.
However, by the time the final silicone render was applied, the transformation was incredible.
Chris now has a property that not only looks completely different but is also warmer, more energy efficient and significantly cheaper to heat.
For us at WPS Plastering Contractors Ltd, this is what makes projects like this so rewarding.
Thinking About Transforming Your Older Property?
Older homes can be beautiful, full of character and history—but they can also be difficult and expensive to heat.
External Wall Insulation can provide an opportunity to improve the thermal performance of your home while completely transforming its appearance.
Whether you own an older stone cottage, a solid wall property or a home that simply needs a new lease of life, we can help you explore whether External Wall Insulation could be the right solution.
If you have an older property that could benefit from External Wall Insulation, please get in touch with WPS Plastering Contractors Ltd.
We’ll be happy to discuss your property and provide advice on the options available to you.
Location
Newark Nottinghamshire
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