Background to the renovation works

Reason for works

Given that this house was renovated in 2008 – and given its protected status – the works proposed here are relatively minor compared to other case study houses. Nevertheless, there are various areas of under-performance that can be easily resolved. Knowledge of (a) renovating to a deeper energy-efficient standard in a way that is hygrothermally appropriate, (b) the value of doing so, (c) and the societal imperative of renovating our housing to as deep a standard as possible, have advanced significantly in the ten years since the dwelling was renovated.

Design approach

The new ‘major renovation’ standard in TGD-L:2018 does not apply to dwellings on the Register of Protected Structures. In order not to confuse the reader, and to reflect the fact that most walls are not being insulated in the proposals below, they have been termed minor renovation projects #1 and #2.

The proposed works for minor renovation project #1 include the following:

  • Front façade to be re-pointed to restore its original appearance and protect the brickwork long term. (See the Brighton Road case study for more on façade brickwork re-repointing [link to follow].)
  • Airtight hatches to be fitted to front and rear attics and attic insulation installed.
  • A range of draughtproofing measures to be fitted. Most chimneys to be blocked, the chimney in drawing room to be fitted with dampers. An appropriate occupant ventilation strategy to be implemented.
  • Wall-mounted heater screens to be removed or re-designed to eliminate associated under-performance.
  • Heating controls upgrade and 100% low energy lighting to be fitted.

The proposed works for minor renovation project #2 (including all the renovation works described above) are as follows:

  • Fit appropriate, fully-bonded internal wall insulation (to a U-value of no lower than 0.50 W/m2K) on the walls of the garden-level basement and both floors of return.
  •  The cathedral ceiling of the bathroom on return to be stripped back and re-insulated with air and vapour control layer.
  • The wall perimeters within the intermediate floors to be made more airtight and insulated - access provided by lifting relevant floorboards.
  • Secondary glazing of a slim profile (approved by Dublin City Council) to be fitted throughout. (See section on this – link to follow]
  • An air source heat pump with improved or replaced pipe and wall heater network and cylinder to be installed with associated heating controls.