Posted By: monkeywoodThe amount of information is a bit daunting and I'm getting that "I don't know what I don't know" feeling.

Hello and welcome. Don't worry about this, it's perfectly normal. But do allow for it stretching your timetable a bit - it's better to get to the point where you feel you know at least some of the answers, or have provisional answers to most, even, before you actually start work. It's amazing how much of the plan can change along the way. I'd also work out a long term plan, if you're planning on staying in the house for a length of time.

I would stick at least another 100 mm in the loft - it's quick, easy and cheap. I'd also make the ceiling airtight. I'd certainly consider insulating the floors and making them airtight. Making things airtight is important but does mean you will also need to consider ventilation.

Upgrading functional double glazing to triple is much less worthwhile. By all means replace blown units, but I wouldn't spend a lot of money on windows until you have considered the other thing you don't mention - EWI (external wall insulation). You could consider secondary glazing during winter as a short term possibility.

Good luck monkey wood, you're doing good stuff. There's much more scope for reducing energy use in a period property than in a newbuild which is already pretty good.

We're on our second Victorian refurb and our priorities (based on the first one) are:

- safety/security issues including some electrics
- fix roof leaks
- fix damp
- draught reduction (all the random 1" holes left by previous plumbers)
- lighting
- loft insulation
-pipe and tank insulation
-under-suspended-floor insulation, combined with fixing skirting board draughts
- air source heat pump
- insulation of lean-to extension walls (much thinner than orig Victorian house)
- possible EWI

We are not touching the existing DG windows and we are not installing solar.

As we are living in it, 'comfort' works such as decorating and storage and new bathroom and gardening are quite high up the list!

While you're refitting the kitchen, definitely do anything you can re insulating walls, floor as it's not happening after your lovely new kitchen is in! But watch kitchen fitters carefully, they are notorious for hiding gaps round pipes behind cupboards where they think you won't see.

Hi All,

Thanks for the warm welcome and food for thought!

I have a rough longer term idea and am currently making my way through the pro's, cons and feasibility for things that I’ve thought of (and things you have suggested).

I have three walls at the back side of the house which are not connected to the terrace, ending in the very cold lean-to. I’ve now requested a few different quotes for EWI to compare. There is no attic room, only two separate attic spaces.

These companies offer void insulation and I will enquire about the additional space in the loft - if it is a reputable/experienced company can I assume (I know they say not to) they would pay attention to ventilation and airtightness?

There is no crawl space in the void, I would end up taking up boards and replacing the catastrophic skirting which is currently gaping above the carpet.

Thank you for the window comments - I have time to go through the discussions already posted on here and familiarise myself with the numbers advised!

Those lists are very helpful! I’m trying to maintain a balance between not blowing my entire pay package and reigning in the ‘comfort’ works whilst there are a few essential priorities.

As someone who really feels the cold (but begrudging puts the heating on), the insulation has jumped up the to-do list (will sort the loft ASAP). I will pray to the building physics deities for no problems with the underfloor insulation - anything to be particularly watchful for to try to improve my odds?

I will discuss with the carpenter who is fitting the floor and cabinets - he is notoriously diligent and seems very receptive to discussion.

DPC in 2016 with previous owners. I have developed one damp kitchen wall which I have finally found to be due to an ill fitting stack pipe - being sorted out next week with any luck!

I am ‘keen’ to have a look into the void as I don’t think the house was ever really warmed during the previous landlords occupancy (around 4 years) and more frustratingly, there has been two separate incidences of rodent activity (appears to be due to the stack/sewage pipework).

Posted By: philedgeWith regards to your question over whether the people you get to do the loft will pay attention to ventilation and airtightness, my personal and sceptical view is no they wont!!

Agreed. I don't think it's sceptical, just realistic. Unless airtightness is done with a full understanding and especially with proper ventilation of some kind, it usually results in problems due to excess humidity - mould, rot etc, not to mention stuffiness and smells. So in a typical tradesman's experience it's more a source of trouble and no perceived benefit.

I was lucky that the tradesmen on my build at least accepted what I was trying to do and went along with it. One of the carpenters really got into it and was pointing out potential problems with some of the details by the end. But when we started it was just a question of me telling them what had to be done and watching carefully to make sure it was.

Way too much to read! Don’t park on customers driveway!