[DRAFT project write-up – awaiting Julian’s approval before going live]
This five-month contract was a renovation of a traditional cottage in Welcombe, Devon, using two breathable materials: eco-cork external insulation on the gable end with the front door, and traditional lime mortar, inside and out, on the rest of the cottage.
The project
The cottage has traditional solid walls. The aim was to improve it with materials that suit the way it was built, rather than sealing the walls in with modern, non-breathable products. The work ran as a five-month contract.
Our approach
- Eco-cork external insulation on the parts of the building where insulation was needed.
- Traditional lime mortar, inside and out, on the rest of the building.
Why cork and lime suit traditional solid walls
Older solid walls have no cavity. They were built to take on some moisture and let it dry out again through the surface. Many modern insulation and render systems stop that happening, so moisture gets trapped in the wall and causes damp.
We’ve been lime rendering for over 25 years. Cork and lime are both breathable. Cork is a natural insulating material, so it keeps heat in without trapping moisture in the wall. Lime mortar lets the wall dry out naturally and is flexible enough to cope with the small movements found in older buildings. Used together, they let a traditional wall stay warmer and keep working the way it was designed to.
The result
The finished cottage has a clean white finish outside, with insulation where it was needed and breathable lime throughout the rest of the building, inside and out.
Thinking about insulating an older home?
Find out more about our lime and heritage work and wall insulation, or get in touch for a free quote.
Related: Lime & heritage work · Internal wall insulation · Rendering · Contact