Transforming an 1800s Property with Breathable External Wall Insulation in Ruddington

Looking beyond the surface

At WPS Plastering Contractors Ltd, we understand that older properties often require more than a straightforward rendering solution.

This project in Ruddington, Nottingham, involved an attractive property dating back to the 1800s. Over the years, extensions had been added and, at some point in its history, sections of the property had been covered with a traditional sand and cement render.

The homeowners, Andrew and Jen, were experiencing problems with cold internal walls and mould within the property. Our brief was to investigate the external walls and provide a long-term solution that would improve both the appearance and performance of the building.

What initially appeared to be an external rendering project soon revealed a number of issues hidden beneath the existing finish.

The existing render

The property had previously been covered with a sand and cement render. While this type of render has historically been widely used, older buildings need careful consideration when it comes to how the walls manage moisture.

The existing render was removed to allow us to properly assess the condition of the walls beneath.

Once the render started coming away, it became clear that there was more to this project than simply replacing the external finish.

Hidden problems uncovered

Removing the old render allowed us to inspect the construction beneath properly.

During this process, we identified a number of issues that needed to be addressed before any insulation or rendering work could begin.

One of the extensions had not been properly tied into the original building. We also discovered issues surrounding the lintels following the installation of replacement windows.

These were not problems that could simply be covered over.

Before progressing with the external wall insulation system, the necessary structural repairs were completed to ensure the building was properly prepared for the next stage of the project.

At WPS Plastering Contractors Ltd, we believe that the preparation work is just as important as the finished appearance. There is no value in installing a high-quality insulation and render system over problems that should have been dealt with properly first.

Creating a properly sealed system

Once the structural work had been completed, we turned our attention to preparing the property for the external wall insulation system.

One important part of this project involved the roofline.

To ensure the new render and insulation system could be properly finished and protected at the top of the walls, we installed a roofline closure system, extending the roofline detail to allow the insulation and render system to be correctly sealed.

Attention to details like this is essential when installing external wall insulation.

A system is not simply about fixing insulation boards to a wall and applying render. The junctions, edges, rooflines, windows and areas around the damp proof course all need to be considered to create a properly designed and continuous building envelope.

Why mineral fibre insulation was the right choice

Because this was an older property, selecting the correct insulation system was particularly important.

We installed mineral fibre external wall insulation boards, chosen for their vapour-open and breathable properties.

Older buildings can behave very differently to modern properties, and it is important that any external wall insulation system is appropriate for the construction of the building.

The mineral fibre insulation provides excellent thermal performance while also allowing the wall construction to manage moisture vapour effectively.

The aim was not only to improve the appearance of the property but also to help create a warmer external envelope and reduce the cold surfaces internally that had contributed to an uncomfortable living environment.

Eliminating cold bridging below the DPC

Another important consideration was the position of the property’s damp proof course.

The damp proof course was located above the internal floor level, meaning that simply insulating the walls above this point could have left a potential area of cold bridging.

To address this, we installed a below-DPC insulated system.

This allowed us to continue the insulation strategy into this lower section of the building and reduce the risk of cold bridging around the base of the walls.

Details such as this can make a significant difference to the overall performance of an external wall insulation installation.

Our approach is always to consider the entire building rather than simply treating the visible areas.

A breathable basecoat and reinforced finish

Once the mineral fibre insulation boards were securely installed, we applied a lime-rich basecoat over the insulation.

The system was reinforced with mesh to provide strength and help create a durable and stable surface ready for the final finish.

The combination of mineral fibre insulation and a lime-rich basecoat was particularly suited to the requirements of this older property.

The finished silicone render

The final stage was the application of a white silicone render finish.

The result is deliberately understated.

Rather than dramatically changing the character of the property, the new finish gives the building a clean, timeless appearance while providing the benefits of a modern external wall insulation system.

The transformation is particularly striking when compared with the previous textured render finish.

More importantly, however, this project was about much more than appearance.

Andrew and Jen are already beginning to see the benefits internally, with the mould issues starting to clear as the property benefits from warmer external walls and a more suitable, breathable wall construction.

The completed transformation

This Ruddington project is a great example of why every property should be assessed individually.

What initially appeared to be a project involving the removal and replacement of old render became a much more detailed programme of work involving:

✔ Removal of the existing sand and cement render

✔ Investigation of the original wall construction

✔ Identification and repair of structural issues

✔ Repairs to the extension connection with the original property

✔ Lintel issues addressed following replacement window installation

✔ Installation of a roofline closure system

✔ Mineral fibre external wall insulation

✔ Below-DPC insulation to reduce cold bridging

✔ Lime-rich reinforced basecoat with mesh

✔ White silicone render finish

The result is a property that looks refreshed and timeless from the outside while beginning to deliver important improvements to the internal environment.

Thinking of insulating an older property?

Older properties require careful consideration when it comes to external wall insulation and rendering.

The right system needs to take into account the age and construction of the building, how the walls manage moisture and the details around rooflines, windows and the base of the property.

At WPS Plastering Contractors Ltd, we don’t believe in simply covering over problems.

We investigate the building, address any issues that need attention and install systems designed to provide a high-quality, long-lasting finish.

If you have an older property that would benefit from external wall insulation, please get in touch with WPS Plastering Contractors Ltd.