design + energy + excellence
This post about Construction Costs was the most popular post in our Blog in 2014.
It was actually written in 2013 and it remained more popular than its successor published in 2014 – Building Costs in Ireland 2014.
We are glad to see that our series about Construction Costs remains a helpful reference for so many people. Thank you for visiting us!
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.
The original building of the Brandon House Hotel is a Protected Structure built between 1841-1874 and located in New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland. The property has been maintained reasonably well but many inadequate repairs have failed to resolve the problems. Isabel Barros Architects was appointed to assess the condition of the building envelope and provide recommendations and alternative solutions to repair and conserve the building.
The recommendations were consistent with the Burra Charter guidance. The Burra Charter is widely accepted as the standard for heritage conservation practice. Good conservation practices aim to promote minimum intervention into the historic fabric of a structure. Conservation works should do as much as necessary, yet as little as possible to the structure to ensure its future.
Isabel Barros Architects has also prepared Specifications for the emergency Works and administered the contract for Phase 1 of the Works.
The works involve replacing extensively eroded bricks with matching bricks, repairing minor erosion to bricks with colour matched lime mortar, removing cement mortar joints and cement renders, repointing joints with lime mortar, replacing chimney flashings and treating timber elements. Protum was commissioned to carry out the works.
Isabel Barros Architects - Wexford is driven by a passion for creating high quality contemporary Architecture. Our goal is to make good design available to the general public while maintaining a strong focus on the energy efficiency and sustainability of our designs.
A graduate of Lusíada University in Lisbon, Portugal, Isabel is a Senior Architect with over 30 years experience. She is a registered member of both the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Portuguese Association of Architects. Isabel is also Accredited in Conservation at Grade 3.
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