This terraced house, owned by Nick Case, the MD of Purepaint, dated 1879 has solid 13" exterior walls. Not having a cavity, the walls are very cold and the house loses heat very quickly. Nick wanted to try insulating the exterior wall of one room on the inside and do it in an ecologically sound way, to see what difference it would make.

The old plaster was stripped off, a timber stud built against the old brickwork, the spaces between filled with 4" thick hemp, an airtight and breathable membrane fitted over the framework and sealed around the window. This was then lined with plasterboard and skimmed. The job also included replacing the old single glazed window with a new locally made timber window fitted with Argon gas filled, soft low E, 24mm double glazing. Prior to the work, the room was cold even with the radiator of full, now, with no radiator the room is warm!