Page 45 of 91

Insulation Materials – All You Need to Know

December 1, 2014 / barros / 8 Comments

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 Secret Guide to Deal with Architects – Take 7

November 13, 2014 / barros / 2 Comments

Our 7th secret tip about how to deal with an Architect focus on the importance of the design process.

If you have just landed here do not miss our previous tips:

7. Enjoy the process

When you appoint an Architect you give her/him a problem to solve, a challenge to do. It may be a new house on a new site, it may be an extension to an awkward existing house, or improving a house layout that is not working, or a shop that is not attracting clients, etc, etc. In order to solve your problem the Architect will go through a design process that will consider a number of factors. Make sure you participate in this process by providing your Architect with a solid brief and by letting her/him know what are your likes/dislikes, aspirations and goals.

Hot tip: The first steps of the design process are hugely important, they are the foundations of your project. You should engage with your Architect as early as possible. If in doubt about what you want or need, ask your Architect for an opinion. Architects deal with a wide range of people and age groups, they may know better than you what you will need in 10 years time, for example. Listen, reflect and think. You may even realize you need to change the initial brief, but this is the moment to do it before the process develops to more complex drawings/documents. Remember to enjoy this process, it is often a life changing experience!

Go to Take 8 – Be Aware of Time

Start from Take 1 – Stages.

Phase 1 at Brandon House Hotel Nears Completion

October 30, 2014 / barros / 2 Comments

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.