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We scour the markets looking for new and innovative products and whilst we find some in the UK, quite often they lack the testing and technical documentation required for us to incorporate them in to our specifications. Thankfully, that has…
It’s a question that keeps coming up, and understandably so. When you start talking about internal wall insulation (IWI), moisture risk is never far behind. Somewhere along the line, the idea has taken hold that introducing a ventilated cavity between…
Insulating Chimneys Without Losing the Plot (or Santa) At Christmas, chimneys tend to feature heavily in the imagination. A glowing fire, a bit of festive cheer, and, apparently, an overnight visit from a man in a red suit. In building…
Mixed insulation strategies are sometimes unavoidable on retrofit projects, especially where architectural features or planning constraints limit the use of external wall insulation (EWI). Combining EWI and internal wall insulation (IWI) can work extremely well – provided the junctions are…
When retrofitting older buildings, one of the big challenges is reducing heat loss through solid masonry walls without creating moisture problems. Adding internal wall insulation (IWI) helps with energy efficiency — but it can also trap moisture inside the masonry,…
In timber frame construction, orientated strand board (OSB) is typically used to provide racking strength. The common practice is to fix it to the outside of the frame, mainly for ease and speed on site. But that convenience can come…
Moisture analysis is a crucial part of designing buildings that perform well over time. But when you’re working with internal wall insulation, especially on solid masonry walls, using the wrong method can lead to serious problems down the line. So…
Given that wood fibre insulation is made from natural materials, it’s understandable that clients occasionally worry about it attracting pests—particularly insects, rodents, or even nesting wasps. But how justified are these concerns? In this article, we explore how wood fibre…
Wood fibre insulation has become a staple in sustainable construction – but not just because it’s a low-carbon material. At Back to Earth, we specify wood fibre time and again not for its popularity or its environmental story (though those…
Suspended timber floors are a common feature in older homes, and insulating them is often one of the most effective first steps in improving energy efficiency and occupant comfort. But while the basic process is straightforward, there are several critical…
Internal insulation is often a go-to strategy for upgrading thermal performance in older buildings—but how much is too much? The answer isn’t straightforward. It depends on wall type, location, materials, and crucially, how the insulation interacts with the building fabric.…
When upgrading the thermal performance of an existing building, U-Values are often the first metric people reach for—but what target should you be aiming for in a retrofit? The short answer is: it depends. Here’s how to navigate the regulations,…