Green Building Forum - Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

modernvictorian — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 12:19:49 +0100

Hello, I am starting a big refurbishment job on an old Victorian semi. Big ambitions for energy efficiency and eco-friendly solutions but maybe not such a huge budget!! Keen to tap into the collective knowledge on this brilliant site. Many questions to come...

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

fostertom — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 19:28:31 +0100

Sounds juicy. Put up some pics so we can get an instant idea of it?

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

modernvictorian — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 21:31:54 +0100

I'll have a go. Here is the old lady pre-move in hiding behind several layers of bushes and ivy.

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

modernvictorian — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 21:39:52 +0100

And today with the driveway going in.

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

fostertom — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 22:43:11 +0100

Quite a wildlife haven

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

philedge — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 00:06:14 +0100

Was!!

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

modernvictorian — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 12:46:56 +0100

Yeah fairly brutal!

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

fostertom — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:57:23 +0100

Admit it was a hit to see that species-rich wild-haven-looking greenery laid to concrete, when I'd a thought 'Green building' would be accompanied by broader 'green' sensibility, what with XR, re-wilding, plant-a-billion trees etc. It did turn me off contributing to the thread's question. But ...

Any more pics? Is it listed (unlikely), in Conservation area - i.e. how does the Planning authority view the preciousness of its 'historic' features? Just the front, or all round?

External Wall Insulation (EWI) in non-trivial thickness, 6" min, while you're at it, is always top option, way preferable to internal insulation, let alone puny insulating plaster.
That could maybe do the rear,
the gable end, depending on tolearble loss of alley width, but the lower storey cd be made thinner with some kind of transition detail at the band course,
and maybe the non projecting part of the front, so there's no embarassing vertical step-edge in the wall surface at party wall line.

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

WillInAberdeen — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 21:06:36 +0100

We are just getting started on our second â€™period' house, here is our priority list:

1. Block up the many many draughts
2. Ceiling or roof insulation
3. Ventilation
4. New Boiler, insulated pipes and cylinder
5. New windows and doors (see also 1.)
6. Insulation under ground floors (see also 1.)
7. New kitchen and bathroom (not eco - just needed)
8. Wall insulation
9. Solar panels

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

jms452 — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 09:48:01 +0100

Is the path down the side shared access?

Don't rule out EWI based on the 6" figure - The enemy of the good is the best etc.
We're very pleased with our 80mm phenolic EWI which exceeds regs.

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

fostertom — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 10:04:07 +0100

80 phenolic or similar to gable end ground floor; thicker above; some architectural ingenuity to make it look all right.

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

jamesingram — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 16:47:27 +0100

5. Triple glazed if possible , windows lose a lot of heat and you only want to do it once.

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

jamesingram — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 16:50:49 +0100

some more inspiration perhaps
http://www.superhomes.org.uk/

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

jamesingram — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 16:57:08 +0100

A little old but contains some good info
http://inglehome.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/CE184-practical_refurbishment_of_solid-walled_houses.pdf

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

GarethC — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 10:04:37 +0100

No heat pump instead of boiler Will?

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

WillInAberdeen — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 12:19:06 +0100

Yet TBC, depending how the existing radiators cope this winter. If they are too small they will come out to be replaced by ufh and a heat pump. If they prove ok it will be difficult to justify the ufh, so a boiler will be required.

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

modernvictorian — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 20:49:52 +0100

Not quite concrete - resin driveway so permeable at least. Parking is a nightmare so one of the big pulls for this place was the ability to create a driveway. Needs must I'm afraid.

It is in a conservation area so I doubt EWI would fly and I can't see any other examples in the area.

It needs pretty much everything tbh so was priced accordingly which means I have some budget for renovations. The brutality may continue inside (my excuse being I can't do worse than the previous owner who ripped out or damaged nearly every period feature).

Priority order looks something like this:

1. Side return extension and alter internal layout.
2. Insulate internal walls (somehow) - not looking for perfection just an improvement. Also maintain breathability (see next point).
3. Re-point in lime where needed, remove cement mortar and wash bricks
4. Underfloor heating throughout - fitted between joists
5. Ventilation system - whole house MHVR?
6. New windows or doors - had quote for double glazed sashes, triple won't fit because of frame size.

I am coming from a new-build which had a air-source heat pump and underfloor heating throughout so I am familiar with the pros and cons of this type of system.

Disclaimer is that this is my first renovation so my ideas are purely theoretical at this stage!

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

modernvictorian — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 21:00:11 +0100

Posted By: jamesingramsome more inspiration perhaps
http://www.superhomes.org.uk/

This is great thanks.

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

djh — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 02:24:47 +0100

Posted By: modernvictorianIt is in a conservation area so I doubt EWI would fly

The powers that be may not care about the sides or rear of the property. The only way to find out is to ask them as Tom suggested.

Embarking on refurbishment of a Victorian semi

jms452 — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 05:42:03 +0100

Posted By: djh
Posted By: modernvictorianIt is in a conservation area so I doubt EWI would fly

The powers that be may not care about the sides or rear of the property. The only way to find out is to ask them as Tom suggested.