How’s the building made?

Original construction:

• cavity brick walls
• timber roof structure, concrete roof tiles
• metal window frames
• concrete floor.

Changes from the original:

• bathroom refit, 1970s
• garage, kitchen extension, 1980s
• conservatory 1990s
• gas central heating, rewire 1997
• roof space conversion, 2003.

Examples of projects

• Doing the basics
   

• Cavity wall insulation
   

• Replacement windows
   

• Upgraded heating system
   

• Conservatory improvements
   

• Planning
   

• Bathroom makeover

What’s the problem?

Bathroom — everything still works but looks tired, stays damp, awkward to use.

Conservatory — too hot in summer, costs a fortune to heat in winter.

Windows — metal windows at the front and in the bathroom rusting, difficult to close.

Flat roof — roof over the kitchen extension is leaking badly, kitchen freezing in the morning.

Central heating — granny’s always turning the thermostat up high, everyone else is too hot.

Doing the basics

• Low energy lamps in all room lights, standard lights, exterior lights.

• Flat roof over kitchen insulated above the boards while roof re-covered and flashings replaced, new fascia trim. Main roof and attic already well insulated.

• Replacement double glazing for front windows and bathroom, with trickle vents in timber frames. Draught-proofed doors.

• New cylinder jacket, insulated hot water pipes.

• Set new radiator valves at 2 in main bedrooms, 3 in living room, 4 in granny’s room. Set thermostat in hall at 21°C.

• New slimline toilet cistern. Fitted spray insert in sink tap. Low flow shower head and basin mixer taps. Water butt on downpipe at side of house

Cavity wall insulation

• Walls of original house insulated.

• Didn’t insulate the extension because it’s an insulated timber frame.

• Waterproof render patch repaired and repainted.

Replacement windows

• Very high performance timber windows, with double glazing and low emissivity glass — rated B by the British Fenestration Rating Council www.bfrc.org.

Upgraded heating system

• 7-day programmer and thermostatic valves (TRVs).

• Reflective foil behind radiators on outside walls.

• Electrician moved the room thermostat away from radiator in hall at his 5-yearly check of the electrics.

• Heating engineer did flue gas spillage checks at annual service — enough ventilation even with new insulation and draught proofing.

Conservatory improvements

• Exterior quality door and draught-proofing between heated part of the house and conservatory.

• Took fan and heaters to community recycling centre.

• Ridge vent and roof blinds to reduce overheating.

• Donated large rug to carpet recycling company — so that quarry tile floor stores warmth.

Planning

• Checked with council about replacement windows.

• Building warrant Checked with council — didn’t need a warrant, but replacement windows and repositioned bath must comply with building regulations.

Bathroom makeover

• Repositioned bath, re-hung door to make bathroom easier to use, 1m (3'3") space in front of WC.

• Bath resurfaced, tap handles replaced, new FSC-certified wooden toilet seat.

• Over-the-bath shower with hot water fed by central heating system with header tank in the roof.

• Extract fan with humidistat.

• Replaced old flooring with rubber floor tiles, regrouted ceramic tiles, recycled glass bath splashback.

• Clear finish on new window made from natural oils, door painted with coloured wax finish, walls painted with low VOC paint for kitchens and bathrooms.

Work done well

Work done well

Insulation installed by member of the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency www.ciga.co.uk — with a 25 year guarantee for the cavity insulation. They also insulated the flat roof and checked the state of the main roof.

Found accredited builder, decorator, electrician and plumber/heating engineer at www.clescotland.co.uk.

Replacement windows must meet current U-values.

Anti-scald device required for repositioned baths so plumber fitted TMV (thermostatic mixing valve) under bath.