December | 2014 | Isabel Barros Architects

Archive for December 19, 2014

barros | December 19, 2014

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Isabel’s Picks for Winter 2014

ENJOYING THE COLD

Make the best of the season

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1. WREATH

Brand: John Lewis

Collection: Croft

Name: Frosted Birch Wreath

Material: Birch

Price range: €29

Available to Ireland from: John Lewis

2. SINGLE PLY PVC ROOF

Manufacturer: Bauder

Product Name: Thermofol U

Price Range: n/a

Material: PVC

Key Features: Flexible polyester-reinforced plasticised PVC membrane. Developed to withstand climatic extremes and temperature shocks. Resists tears and punctures. Tested and approved for green roof landscaping by the FLL. CE mark. BBA approved.

Available in Ireland from: Bauder

3. PRINT

Artist: Darrell Gulin

Product Name: Unpaved Road in Redwoods Forest

Price Range: from €28

Key facts: Digitally printed on archival quality paper with vivid color and exceptional detail.

Available to Ireland from: Art.co.uk

4. WATER AND DIRT REPELLENT

Manufacturer: Nanopool GmbH

Product Name: Liquid Glass

Price Range: n/a

Key Facts: NP Liquid Glass is a transparent, non-toxic surface protection that can shield almost any surface against virtually any damage from hazards such as water, dirt, bacteria and algae. The coating is transparent while also being flexible and breathable. Environmentally Friendly. Hydrophobic. Oleophobic.

Applications: Stone, wood, textile, metal, glass, ceramic, plastic.

Available in Ireland from: NP Liquid Glass

5. CHAIR

Design: Eames

Product Name: Eames Moulded Plywood DCW Chair Pony Hide

Price Range: €370

Material: Moulded plywood base with pony leather.

Available in Ireland from: CA Design

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See Full Gallery of Isabel’s Picks

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Category: Isabel's Picks | Tags: Isabel's Picks

barros | December 1, 2014

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Insulation Materials – All You Need to Know

It is easy to get confused when selecting insulation materials. There are different types of insulation, each with different forms and shapes, and a range of different properties.

Thermal properties are the primary consideration in choosing insulations.

The insulation material you choose depends on:

– how you will use it,

– where you will use it (there are recommended U-values for different areas of the building fabric, see below Diagram 1 from Part L of the Irish Building Regulations),

– and how much you are willing to spend.

We want to share with you two of our favourite articles/websites with helpful and unbiased information:

1 – What’s the best insulation material to use in eco renovation? by David Thorpe, and available in SuperHomes.

2 – Insulation materials 1 – Introduction by GreenSpec.

On these websites you can find answers to specific questions like:

Why should I insulate and where?

Which form of insulation material is best to use where?

How much insulation do I need?

What is the best insulation for health and climate?

Which is the best insulation for cost by volume?

What is the best insulation material for thermal performance?

You can also find detailed information about the properties of the different types of insulation:

Insulation materials 2: Plant / animal derived

Insulation materials 3: Mineral

Insulation materials 4: Oil-derived

In Ireland, Part L of the Irish Building Regulations deals with the conservation of fuel and energy. Part L is a complex and important regulation that provides guidance to ensure a better energy performance.

Diagram 1 of Part L summarises the minimum fabric insulation standards applicable in Ireland.

If you are still confused after reading all this information please contact us before you make costly decisions. We can review your existing conditions, discuss options and make recommendations to improve the energy performance of your building in a sustainable and cost effective way.