What To Think About When Insulating A Period Property

If the UK is to achieve its goal of going net zero by 2050, the country’s existing housing stock will need to be retrofitted in order to meet climate change targets.

In fact, a recent report from the Climate Change Committee concluded that these legally binding targets - which were ratified in law in 2019 - concluded that “climate change targets will not be met without the near-complete elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from UK buildings”.

The report went on to note that retrofitting existing homes and making sure they’re low carbon and resilient to the changing climate is a major priority for infrastructure and support from the Treasury is essential.

It called for greater uptake of energy efficiency measures like loft and wall insulation, as well as upgrades and repairs that include plans to improve water efficiency and air quality, reduce indoor moisture, shading and ventilation, and so on.

For period properties and listed buildings, retrofitting may seem like a daunting prospect, but it is certainly possible to achieve with expert help and guidance.

You will need to make sure that you have a solid understanding of the fabric of your particular building and only carry out work that will maintain the breathability of the construction materials, because older buildings manage damp and moisture differently to new builds.

Modern construction involves the use of damp proof membranes, which homes built before 1920 or thereabouts don’t have.

Other considerations you will need to take into account include making sure that you have listed building consent and the proper planning permission in place before undertaking any work. You can run into legal trouble if you do work onsite without this.

Do you need help with lath & plaster? Get in touch with Ovolo London today.

Eco-Friendly Wall Finishes For Your Renovation Project

Being eco-friendly with home improvements is becoming increasingly important and we all have our part to play where environmental responsibility is concerned. An easy place to make inroads in this regard is with your home and there’s a lot that can be done to make your property more green and energy efficient.

When it comes to your wall finishes, there are various options available to you if you do want to be more eco-conscious in this regard - and, because it’s not necessarily the biggest job in the world, it could be a great place to start with eco renovations, rather than jumping straight in with a bigger project like a rainwater harvesting system.

Something like limewash could be a good choice if you’re keen to be more sustainable, as it’s just a mixture of natural clay, minerals and pigments, with no chemicals involved in production so you get a quality product without any solvents or toxins.

Limewash is also a great option for period properties, as it works in conjunction with older building materials, so can help ensure the breathability of the property - an essential consideration when doing up older homes.

You can also buy eco-friendly paint, which is also made out of clay and other natural materials, which has all sorts of benefits for you and your home, including no volatile organic compounds (which are high pollutants) and low odour. The all-natural ingredient list also means these products have a low environmental impact.

Other materials to consider include reclaimed wood, recycled tiles, straw, bamboo and so on, all of which can be used throughout your property to really make it more eco-friendly.

For help with listed building restoration, get in touch with Ovolo today.

Interior Design Trends For 2021

Some interior design trends seem to have been around for years, such as Scandi-inspired minimalism and shabby chic. However, there are some evolving ideas which look set to take off during this year. Here’s a quick look at some of them.

False or suspended ceilings

indecotrends.com lists false ceilings as a popular ongoing trend. These can serve a dual purpose: to hide unsightly pipework, ducts, air conditioning and electrical wires, and also to add an aesthetically pleasing element with ceiling decoration. Some designers even use different levels of ceiling to demarcate space, instead of a false interior wall.

False ceilings are being used more frequently in homes, but also in commercial buildings, where they not only look stylish but also provide noise insulation. They also allow for creative use of lighting, whether concealed along the perimeter to give a pleasing subtle glow, or illumination by recessed lights or low pendant lamps.

Upcycling

According to livingtec.com, upcycling is going to become a bigger trend for 2021, as the drive for more sustainable and eco-friendly ways of living gathers momentum. People are becoming more willing to experiment with re-using and personalising their home possessions, which will hopefully lead to more individuality and creativity.

It is expected that consumers will become far more concerned to buy goods from responsibly sourced, sustainable suppliers, and environmentally friendly solutions will be more important than aesthetic consideration. They will be looking for energy efficient white goods which do not consume excess water and electricity, and electric car charging points.

Timeless chic

In line with more eco-conscious living, interior design will focus on beautiful craftsmanship, which will outlive trends. Second-hand vintage and inherited pieces which would once have been banished to the loft or taken straight to the tip are being proudly restored and displayed in homes. The essence is to buy less, and make what you have last much longer.

If you live in a period property and are looking for listed building restoration experts to help breathe fresh life into your home, then get in touch today.

Bradford Manor House To Be Converted To Homes For Homeless

Bradford Council has approved listed building restoration plans to turn a huge former manor house into homeless accommodation.

With this application granted, Carlton Manor will be able to house up to 24 people, as well as provide health and housing services.

Constructed in the 1870s, the Grade II listed building has seen many uses over the last century, from its initial use as a manor house before being converted into a convent. Most recently, the building has been used as a care home treating young adults with physical disabilities.

However, an extension that dates back to the building’s time as a convent has not been used since the 1980s, and the building as a whole has been empty since 2019. This has caused it to slowly deteriorate.

The planned works, to be undertaken by Concept Housing, will respect the building’s listed status and presence within a building conservation area.

Helping bring the community landmark back into use will itself help to ensure the building continues to survive and thrive, as empty buildings deteriorate quicker for a range of reasons.

Apart from the obvious lack of repairs, cleaning and restorations when needed, an empty building wears down quickly for a range of reasons.

Without appropriate heating in winter and ventilation in summer, the humidity inside the building increases, promoting more weathering, moss and grime.

Along with this, if the heating system is turned off but not drained, the freeze/thaw cycle of water would potentially cause a devastating water leak which could very quickly destroy the building.

What Is Horsehair Plaster?

If you’re renovating an older or historic property at the moment, you may well have come across horsehair plaster, also referred to as lath and plaster, typically a mixture of horsehair, plaster, sand and lime.

Drywall is more common in newer buildings, but there are all sorts of benefits to using lath and plaster, including structural strength and greater flexibility, making it easier to plaster curved or irregularly shaped walls.

It’s also worth noting that, while modern drywall is a more cost-effective option, it could be a false economy, since plaster provides better soundproofing, fireproofing and better insulation. It also doesn’t harbour mould, so it represents a healthier option, as well.

If your home already has plaster walls, it makes a lot more sense to stick with this if you can, rather than replacing it, especially in historic properties where you want to keep the original features of the building.

Not only is lath and plaster higher quality as a material in building work, it also looks a lot better than drywall does, so this is also something worth considering if you want to enhance the aesthetics of your property. It can also increase the value of the property itself, another consideration to bear in mind.

Avoid removing plaster and replacing or covering it up with drywall, as this can make your rooms look smaller and contrast quite harshly with other features in the space, such as mouldings, cornices and so on.

You should also perhaps avoid gutting the rooms, as this will remove everything, including all the original features of the property. A professional contractor will be able to carry out repair work without resorting to a gut renovation.

The Most Influential Home Makeover Shows

In the UK, we’re almost all fixated on interior design and the idea of buying a fixer-upper to restore to its original period glory, or into a modern masterpiece. But whether it’s a pipe dream or a definite plan of action for 2021, we all love the TV shows that inspire us to consider what we can do to our own homes.

With the second series of Interior Design Masters 2021 due to start on BBC in February, this time around with comedian Alan Carr providing the snarky hosting skills in place of Fearne Cotton, we wanted to look at a few of the best interior design shows on TV or streaming.

Interior Design Masters (2019) - Netflix

The original series aired in 2019 on BBC Two, in those halcyon pre-pandemic days. As mentioned, it was hosted by Fearne Cotton and ten aspiring interior designers hoping to go professional compete to win the praise of judge Michelle Ogundehin, with the help of design gurus and industry experts as specialist guest judges each week.

Grand Designs (1999 to present) - All 4

This long-running show, presented by designer and writer Kevin McCloud, focuses on some of the more elaborate and unique dream homes being built by the owners. It typically features custom-made elements that make the finished product not a home, but a work of art.

Some of the most unusual buildings include a domed house in a hillside built entirely by the owner and his family, and a glass house on top of a Welsh cliff which is part home, part architectural monument.

Tidying Up With Marie Kondo (2019) - Netflix

If your budget doesn’t quite run to building your own grand design, then the easiest way to improve your interiors is simply with a good tidy up.

Back in January 2019, Marie Kondo was the queen of decluttering, bringing order and calm to your home and your mind. It was addictive watching, instilling a sense of productivity and motivation, without having to get off the sofa!

If you live in a period property and looking for listed building restoration experts to help breathe fresh life into your home, then get in touch today.

How To Bring a Victorian Home Into The 21st Century

The vast amount of Victorian properties in the UK, from handsome townhouses to humble terraces are still incredibly popular homes today. They were solidly built, simply configured, and crammed full of interesting features, such as sash windows, ornate ceiling roses, cornicing, and gorgeous fireplaces.

While many original features in these properties may have been removed over the years, there is much interest in restoring and retaining them to bring a Victorian home back to its previous grandeur, such as this refurbished home in East London.

If you’re wanting to bring your Victorian home into the 21st century while retaining the features that make the property so appealing, we have some tips for you here.

Sash windows

Sash windows were typical in Victorian homes, and if the original windows are still intact, repairing and waterproofing them can help them live a long and beautiful life. It is worth considering getting the sashes to upgrade with double glazing, and some companies can fit double glazing into original window panes.

 

Preserve original floorboards

Original floorboards have been an obsession for decades. Even worn and battered boards can be repaired and patched, so seek our renovation experts before giving up on the original floorboards.

Create contrast with cornicing

Ornate plasterwork cornicing was beloved by the Victorians, but you can reinvent it today, while also making it stand out, by painting a bold shade around it. This is a neat way of both celebrating and modernising an original feature. Coving specialists in London can help restore coving to its original glory.

Use bold colour

The trend for darker hues on walls work wonderfully with Victorian features and are actually in keeping with that period’s love of dark shades.

Upcycle period pieces

Inexpensive Victorian pine furniture can be found on eBay and flea markets. Bring them up to date by stripping them back or painting them in a bright shade. New handles and knobs can help give them a fresh new look too and will look at home in your Victorian property without looking stuffy.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, then get in touch today,

Ceiling Design ‘Top Interiors Trend For 2021’

If you’re currently restoring an older property or are thinking about giving your home interiors a makeover in 2021, it’s important that you don’t overlook your ceiling.

Canberra Weekly recently named ceiling design as one of the top interior trends to watch this year, noting that it’s an area of our interiors that is often overlooked.

Greg Natale, a leading interior designer in Australia, told the newspaper that, along with the walls, the ceiling is one of the first areas of a room he considers when starting a new interior design project.

“They’re an essential layer of the architecture, and a wonderful way of introducing pattern into the framework of a room, helping to define its look and add interest and drama,” he told the news provider.

Mr Natale went on to suggest that cornices could be a particularly important element to look at this year, and urged homeowners to consider how they can use these features to improve the design of the space. For instance, he noted that cornices don’t just have to be painted to match the ceiling. Instead, using a contrasting colour can provide a dramatic outline.

He’s a particular fan of painting cornices black in the right situations because this can add “beautiful definition” to a room.

Last year, an article for Architecture & Design pointed out that there are many different cornice designs, many of which are categorised according to the historical period in which they were popular. Georgian, Victorian and Art Deco are among the styles often found in homes in the UK, as well as modern designs that tend to be cleaner and more simplistic.

If you’re looking for assistance with plaster ceiling decoration in your home, get in touch with our team of experts today.