If you are thinking of renovating or extending your home, sustainability may be high on your list of priorities. There's a lot that can be done to both modern and period properties and we can help to produce a design that is environmentally sustainable, energy efficient and futureproof.
If you are extending your home it makes sense to incorporate energy saving measures and sustainable materials in the new build elements. However, you may also wish to upgrade the existing fabric of the property too. Here are some of the features we will consider when designing with sustainability in mind:
Windows
Full height glazing gives visual impact and really helps to bring the outside in to a space. When we incorporate large areas of glazing in our designs we will consider the balance between the amount of daylighting, the risk of overheating during summer and the potential heat losses during winter.
To prevent overheating via solar gain in the summer months we often specify shading measures such as deep reveals to the windows or external screening., which will be fully integrated into the design. For example, in the project image below we have ensured that the large area of glazing is shaded by the timber gable surround and slatted timber screening.
To prevent significant heat losses via windows we ensure that the glazing is specified to meet the minimum thermal properties of the current Building Regulations.
Insulation to External Walls
If you are planning to renovate the external appearance of your property with render or cladding then you may consider adding external wall insulation at the same time. At the property below we specified an external wall insulation with a render finish that improved the thermal performance of the existing cavity walls considerably. This will significantly improve the internal thermal comfort and reduce the cost of energy bills for the residents.
Loft Insulation
As loft insulation is inexpensive, quick and easy to install we often recommend going above and beyond the minimum recommendations given by the Building Regulations. Laying one roll on top of the other as opposed to just using one roll can have a big impact on reducing heat losses through your roof space making your home more energy-efficient and reducing energy bills.
Ventilation - "Build Tight - Ventilate Right"
When retrofitting an existing property with insulation it is important to understand the effect that this has on the breathability of the building and the indoor air quality. Adding extra layers of insulation and improving the air tightness of the envelope will ensure that your home is warm, comfortable, free from draughts and future-proofed against the extreme weather events predicted due to climate change. However, as we continue to make buildings more and more air tight, the use of controlled ventilation will become more critical. Ventilation is important for expelling stale air and ensures there is an adequate and controlled supply of fresh air circulating the building to prevent the build-up of moisture and airborne pollutants present due to the everyday activities of living in a space.
As part of our design work we will consider how your home can be ventilated adequately through the use of a combination of natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is one of the most wholistic ways to ventilate a home as the units preheat the incoming air supply with the heat of the exhaust air. This efficient method extracts the stale, moist air without losing its heat or introducing cold air from outside.
Responsible Material Sourcing
As Architects we are constantly mindful of the materials we are specifying including: where they come from and how they are sourced. Timber products are especially important and we make sure to specify FSC-certified timber which comes from well-managed forests. Even better still we are always on the look out for reclaimed or recycled materials that are appropriate for our projects. On our recent extension design below we specified composite cladding made from recycled plastic and wood fibres. The composite cladding is low maintenance and long lasting whilst also aesthetically pleasing.
If you have any questions about how to make your home more sustainable, please get in touch with us here at RLDM. We would be more than happy to help!
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