Energy Efficiency and

Historic Buildings
Insulating Solid Walls
This guidance note has been prepared and edited by David Pickles. It forms one of a

series of thirteen guidance notes covering the thermal upgrading of building elements

such as roofs, walls and floors.

First published by English Heritage March 2012.

This edition (v1.1) published by Historic England April 2016.

All images © Historic England unless otherwise stated.

Illustrations drawn by Simon Revill.

Our full range of guidance on energy efficiency can be found at:

HistoricEngland.org.uk/energyefficiency

Front cover:
It is worth trying to establish the form of construction
for the external wall.
Summary

This guidance note provides advice on the principles, risks, materials and methods
for insulating solid masonry walls. Traditional solid wall construction is often the
most difficult and in many cases the least cost effective part of a building to insulate.
However, adding insulation to solid walls can lead to a significant reduction in heat
loss but thought and care is needed to make sure the works are appropriate, effective
and do not cause long-term problems.

Whether applied externally or internally, this type of work can have a significant
impact on the appearance of the building. Wall insulation will also alter the technical
performance of the solid wall and can either exacerbate existing moisture-related
problems or create new ones. In some cases the technical risks of adding insulation
to solid walls will be too great and alternative ways of providing a more cost effective
long-term solution to improving energy efficiency may be more appropriate.

External insulation can be particularly difficult to incorporate into some older

buildings as costly ancillary adaptations such as changes to the eaves and verges
of roofs, drainage pipework, and window and door reveals are often required. As a
consequence such works needs a high degree of quality control.

For listed buildings any form of wall insulation is likely to require consent. For many
buildings, including those in conservation areas and national parks, external wall
insulation will usually require planning permission.
Contents

Introduction.........................................1 3
External Wall Insulation.............11

Energy Planning .......................................................1 3.1

Physical adaptation of the building .........11

Technical Risks.........................................................1 3.2

Changes in the appearance and

Technical Details......................................................2
character of a building ..............................11

3.3 Changes in moisture movement

within the wall............................................12

1 Issues to Consider Before Adding 3.4

Materials .....................................................12

Wall Insulation ............................3

1.1 Construction ................................................3 4

Internal Wall Insulation .............13

1.2 Breathing performance ...............................5

1.3 Thermal mass...............................................6 4.1

Physical adaptation of the building .........14

1.4 Building context ...........................................6 4.2

Changes in the appearance and

1.5 Wall condition..............................................7

character of a building ..............................14

1.6 Salts ..............................................................8 4.3

Changes in moisture movement

within the wall............................................16

4.4 Materials .....................................................18

2 Solid Wall Insulation....................9

2.1 Cost-effectiveness........................................9 5
Where to Get Advice...................19

2.2 Impermeable materials ...............................9

2.3 Thermal bridges .........................................10 5.1

Contact Historic England ..........................20

Introduction

Energy Planning Technical Risks

Before contemplating measures to enhance the Altering the thermal performance of older
thermal performance of a historic building it is buildings is not without risks. The most significant
important to assess the building and the way it is risk is that of creating condensation which can
used in order to understand: be on the surface of a building component or
between layers of the building fabric, which
„ the heritage values (significance) is referred to as ‘interstitial condensation’.
of the building Condensation can give rise to mould forming and
potential health problems for occupants. It can
„ the construction and condition of the also damage the building fabric through decay.
building fabric and building services Avoiding the risk of condensation can be complex
as a wide range of variables come into play.
„ the existing hygrothermal behaviour
of the building Where advice is given in this series of guidance
notes on adding insulation into existing
„ the likely effectiveness and value for money permeable construction, we generally consider
of measures to improve energy performance that insulation which has hygroscopic properties
is used as this offers a beneficial ‘buffering’ effect
„ the impact of the measures on significance during fluctuations in temperature and vapour
pressure, thus reducing the risk of surface and
„ the technical risks associated interstitial condensation occurring. However, high
with the measures levels of humidity can still pose problems even
when the insulation is hygroscopic. Insulation
This will help to identify the measures best suited materials with low permeability are not entirely
to an individual building or household, taking incompatible with older construction but careful
behaviour into consideration as well as the thought needs to be given to reducing levels of
building envelope and services. water vapour moving through such construction
either by means of effectively ventilated cavities
or through vapour control layers.

The movement of water vapour through parts of

the construction is a key issue when considering
thermal upgrading, but many other factors need
to be considered to arrive at an optimum solution
such as heating regimes and the orientation and
exposure of the particular building.

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More research is needed to help us fully
understand the passage of moisture through
buildings and how certain forms of construction
and materials can mitigate these risks. For older
buildings there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution,
each building needs to be considered and an
optimum solution devised.

Technical Details

The technical drawings included in this guidance

document are diagrammatic only and are used to
illustrate general principles. They are not intended
to be used as drawings for purposes
of construction.

Older buildings need to be evaluated individually

to assess the most suitable form of construction
based on a wide variety of possible variables.

Historic England does not accept liability

for loss or damage arising from the use of
this information.

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Cont ents 2
1 Issues to Consider

Before Adding

Wall Insulation

The construction, condition and thermal performance of solid walls needs to be fully
understood before adding any insulation or there could be a risk of creating long-
term problems. Solid masonry walls have very different physical and performance
characteristics to modern cavity walls. A separate guidance note is provided in this
series for older buildings with early forms of cavity wall, Insulating Early Cavity Walls.

1.1 Construction patterns and concealed timbers also add to

the complexity of solid wall construction
The first step should be to identify the materials and performance.
used for external wall materials and how they
have been constructed. Many older buildings Theoretical models and calculations are
may have three or four different types of wall frequently used to understand and assess the
construction, reflecting different stages of movement of energy and moisture through solid
development. Construction can vary from single- walls, often using quite sophisticated computer
skin brickwork to stone walls as narrow as 100 programmes. However, the data giving the
mm thick up to rubble-filled walls of a metre or thermal transmittance and moisture permeability
more thickness. Wall materials can include of many traditional materials is simply not
bricks of varying hardness and permeability, available and calculations at present are based
dressed stone blocks of varying types, rubble upon idealised, homogenous walls. The actual
stone, flint and rammed earth. Mortars can also variations within the wall and the influence of
be earth and/or lime based, also with wide other variables, such as the presence of salts,
variations in permeability and durability. can make such calculations very misleading
when applied to many solid walled buildings.
A single wall will often contain more than one If theoretical modelling is used as a basis for the
material with quite different performance design of thermal upgrading, then accurate data
characteristics. For example, soft porous chalk should be used and the performance should be
and hard impervious flint have very different closely monitored after installation for
properties but are commonly found in the same any problems.
wall. The presence of voids, irregular bonding

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Figure 1
The first step should be to identify the external wall
materials and their form of construction. Construction
can vary from single skin brickwork to rubble filled
stone walls of a metre thickness or more. A single wall
will often also contain more than one material with
quite different performance characteristics.

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 Traditional breathing performance 1.2 Breathing performance

Most traditional buildings are made of Traditional solid walled buildings are often
permeable materials and do not incorporate referred to as ‘breathing’ structures, meaning that
the barriers to external moisture such as they exchange moisture readily with the indoor
cavities, rain-screens, damp-proof courses, and outdoor environment. Where insulation is
vapour barriers and membranes which are introduced it is important that this characteristic
standard in modern construction. is taken fully into consideration.
As a result, the permeable fabric in historic
structures tends to absorb more moisture, It is important to understand that moisture in
which is then released by internal and solid walls comes from several possible sources:
external evaporation. When traditional
buildings are working as they were designed „ Water from rainfall: This obviously affects
to, the evaporation will keep dampness solid walls but not all internal damp is a
levels in the building fabric below the levels result of penetrating rain. With the exception
at which decay can start to develop. This is of extremely exposed locations such as on
often referred to as a ‘breathing’ building. the coast or high ground, it is unusual for
driving rain to pass through most solid walls
If properly maintained a ‘breathing’ in good condition. Normally it will only
building has definite advantages over a saturate the outer part of the wall,
modern impermeable building. Permeable which will then dry out when the rain stops
materials such as lime and/or earth based
mortars, renders, plasters and limewash „ Rising ground moisture: This can be
act as a buffer for environmental moisture, present in any solid wall which does not
absorbing it from the air when humidity is have a physical damp proof course. In such
high, and releasing it when the air is dry. situations the moisture level is generally
Modern construction relies on mechanical controlled by the ‘breathability’ of the
extraction to remove water vapour formed material, which limits total moisture by
by the activities of occupants. allowing the excess to evaporate
harmlessly away
As traditional buildings need to ‘breathe’
the use of vapour barriers and other „ Moisture generated in the building: It is
impermeable materials commonly found often underestimated how much moisture
in modern buildings must be avoided can be generated by people using a
when making improvements to energy building, simply through breathing but also
efficiency, as these materials can trap and from cooking and washing. The permeability
hold moisture and create problems for the of external solid walls also significantly
building. The use of modern materials, helps to buffer and control excess moisture
if essential, needs to be based upon an and condensation from these sources
informed analysis of the full implications of
their inclusion in order to minimise the risk Materials used in repair and maintenance must be
of problems arising. selected with care to preserve this permeability.
Impermeable materials – such as vapour control
It is also important that buildings are well layers, cement based renders and pointing and
maintained, otherwise improvements made many modern ‘plastic’ paints and coatings can
in energy efficiency will be cancelled out by significantly impair the performance and trap
the problems associated with water ingress moisture. Often this will also increase problems of
and/or excessive draughts. damp and associated decay of the building fabric,
and possibly create health risks for the occupants.

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1.3 Thermal mass 1.4 Building context

Solid walled buildings, particularly those with Location, aspect, and the differing exposure
thicker walls, have comparatively high thermal of individual elevations to direct sunlight and
capacities so they can absorb heat over time and wind driven rain have important influences on a
release it relatively slowly as the surroundings building’s condition and performance which need
cool down. This is the same principle as a storage to be taken into account when making alterations.
heater and can have a significant stabilising effect
on the internal environment. Different parts of a building are affected by very
different micro-climates. For example, north
Adding external insulation means little of this facing elevations can be subject to prolonged
heat will be lost to the exterior. This allows a damp, as they do not receive the benefit of a
building to maintain a level of warmth over drying sun and are usually sheltered from drying
day-night heating and cooling cycles, improving winds. However, they receive little driving rain
human comfort and potentially reducing overall from the prevailing south-westerly winds,
energy use. Internal insulation, whilst reducing so conditions are more stable over time.
short-term heat losses to the exterior will isolate This often means that north-facing walls
the internal environment from the benefits of deteriorate less than south and south-west facing
much of this thermal mass. walls which tend to suffer from accelerated rates
of decay caused by fluctuations in temperature
In summer, when strong sun can cause and regular wetting and drying cycles.
overheating, the thermal mass of the walls cools
the interior by absorbing excess heat during the Each building’s exposure to the elements is as
day and releasing it slowly during the night. much influenced by the proximity and position
This helps reduce the need for air conditioning of surrounding buildings and its own projections
or mechanical cooling. and extensions as by the exposure of the site.

Figure 2 Figure 3
Hard cement pointing has damaged these soft A cement render has been added to the stone wall
permeable bricks as moisture has not been able to of this church which has caused significant damp
easily evaporate through the mortar joints. problems as the render has altered the permeability
© Philip White. of the wall.
© Robert Gowing.

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For example, an identical terrace of houses can be Most insulation systems are designed and
affected by quite varying levels of exposure and developed solely to limit heat loss and to avoid
shelter. Such complex variations in microclimate interstitial condensation from water vapour
would ideally need to be taken into account in the generated internally. They do not take account of
design of any scheme for adding insulation. how they affect the movement of moisture and
salts already in a traditional wall. So they
can easily:
1.5 Wall condition
„ exacerbate existing problems
If a wall suffers from prolonged damp then a
number of problems can occur such as: „ create new problems, such as the
displacement of damp and salts and the
„ decay in timbers in contact with the masonry decay of timbers in contact with the walls

„ deterioration of the external fabric of the „ create health risks for the occupants,
wall due to freezing and thawing for example from mould growth

„ movement and crystallisation of salts „ be affected by the moisture, reducing their

performance and sometimes failing entirely
„ movement of tars and other chemicals
through the walls, causing staining at Where walls have been damp for a long period of
the surface time it can take years for them to dry out.
The selection and design of insulation must take
„ growth of mould on the inside surfaces account of the drying-out process, both before
of walls and after installation, and the presence of residual
damp and salts.
„ corrosion of metallic compounds in contact
with, or buried within, the wall

Before making any improvements, it is therefore

important to understand how solid walled
buildings ‘manage’ the movement of water,
in both vapour and liquid form. This is not only
complex in itself, but may also be affected by the
presence of soluble salts (see section 1.6).

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1.6 Salts

Buildings without a damp-proof course can

be prone to damp and salt contamination,
particularly at low level, where ground salts are
carried in solution. Salts are also commonly found
around fireplaces and chimney breasts where
they originated as by-products of combustion.
They can also originate from a previous use of
a building such as from animal excrement and
storage of fertilisers in agricultural buildings.
Salts may also have been present in the original
building materials (stone or aggregate extracted
from marine environments) or from the use of
chemicals such as caustic soda to remove paint.
In some old buildings bricks were under-fired
leaving a concentration of salts.

Many of these salts are ‘hygroscopic’, that is they

have an affinity for water and so exacerbate the
problems of damp by attracting moisture out of
the air leading to the phenomenon of surfaces
feeling ‘clammy’ to the touch. They may also re­
crystallise at drying faces with changing moisture
levels, and the related expansion within the
pores can very effectively turn sound masonry
into powder. The interface between existing
walls and added insulation can be susceptible
to cycles of evaporation, condensation and salt
crystallisation. As such locations are hidden
from view; major deterioration may have taken
place before anybody becomes aware that there Figure 4
is a problem. Unfortunately salts are notoriously Damp walls can be prone to salt contamination.
© Tobit Curteis Associates.
difficult to effectively remove from porous
building materials such as brickwork,
masonry and plasters.

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2 Solid Wall Insulation

Insulation may be added to existing solid walls either externally or internally, but the
physical effects on both the building fabric and the internal environment can be very
different. This is explored in more detail in the following sections.

2.1 Cost-effectiveness 2.2 Impermeable materials

The necessity to achieve sound detailing to Practical experience of the repair and
perimeters and openings can significantly add to conservation of historic buildings shows that the
the initial base cost of both external and internal introduction of materials and systems that do not
insulation and may significantly reduce its overall maintain permeability can seriously exacerbate
cost-effectiveness as the financial payback is existing problems and or create new ones.
correspondingly long. Full payback periods are Examples of impermeable materials and systems
typically 30 years or more, but they will inevitably which could give rise to problems include:
vary depending on particular circumstances.
„ closed cell and extruded plastic insulation
In the majority of cases it may not be worth
considering the insulation of external walls until „ plastic vapour barriers
the full range of easier and more immediately
rewarding upgrades have been carried out. „ cement or acrylic based renders
These would include actions such as repairing
and draught-stripping windows and doors; „ cement pointing
insulating roofs and suspended ground floors,
and upgrading services. Most of these upgrades „ plastic based external wall paints
will also have considerably less impact on the
character and significance of historic buildings. „ vinyl wallpaper

Any of these used on an external wall can trap

moisture within the wall and lead to damp and
decay, as well as making the walls feel cold and
‘clammy’. Installed on the inside, they may do
less damage to the building fabric itself, but will
negate its ability to buffer moisture levels in the
internal air. Both of these can significantly reduce
comfort for people using the building, who tend
to try to compensate by turning the heating up,
thus wasting energy.

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Clearly, if the walls are already damp before 2.3 Thermal bridges
installing insulation these effects will be
exacerbated. Under these circumstances it is Whenever insulation is added to an existing
particularly important to allow walls to ‘breathe’ building there is a danger of creating thermal
in order to dry to the outside as effectively as bridges at critical junctions where full coverage
possible. Drying to the inside is significantly less may be interrupted. When wall insulation is added
effective, and may be unpleasant for users of these weak points are typically at window and
the building. door reveals, but with internal insulation they
may also be formed at the points where the floor
structure meets external walls.

Areas left with reduced or no insulation coverage

will not only be colder, but will also attract
relatively more condensation because the
majority of other surfaces are warmer and can no
longer share the load. The result can be severe
local decay, particularly to timber and finishes.
For example, the ends of floor joists embedded in
the external walls are at increased risk of decay
from condensation.

Great care needs to be taken to ensure adequate

detailing around window and door openings
to avoid potential thermal bridges, and this
can significantly increase the overall cost. The
necessary level of detailing can be very difficult to
incorporate in certain circumstances such as bay
windows or decorative corbelled eaves, in which
case, depending on the potential severity of the
consequences, it may even be better not to install
insulation at all.

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3 External Wall

Insulation

Most external insulation systems comprise an insulation layer fixed to the outside of
the existing wall with a protective render or cladding installed on top to protect the
insulation from the weather and possible mechanical damage (impact or abrasion).

3.1 Physical adaptation of the building 3.2 Changes in the appearance and
character of a building
The increased depth of wall created by an external
render or insulation system will often require External insulation will significantly alter a
adaptation to the roof and wall junctions, around building’s appearance, even if it is already
window and door openings and the repositioning rendered. Even then, decorative architectural
of rainwater down-pipes and any services fixed features such as cornicing, string courses and
to the outside of the building. These alterations window surrounds will also be affected.
may require scaffolding access and possibly Even where the elevations are quite plain,
a temporary cover to reduce the risk of water simple alterations such as the deepening of window
penetration during the work. and door reveals and the alteration of the eaves

Existing plaster

Solid wall

Permeable insulation

Wire mesh

Insulating lime render

Figure 5: Solid wall - External insulation

This shows a permeable solution with an insulation
such as hemp-lime or wood-fibre batts fixed to the
masonry and finished with a permeable lime render.

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lines can markedly alter a building’s appearance. 3.4 Materials
In many cases it will be necessary to actually
relocate windows and doors further forward in For traditional buildings with highly permeable
the overall wall thickness in order to minimise the external walls, the need to prevent impermeable
danger of creating cold bridges at the reveals. layers precludes the use of modern closed-cell
foam and other plastic-based insulations, as
Planning permission will be required for well as the use of protective finishes which bar
external insulation if the building is listed or in moisture vapour movement. As most suitable
a conservation area. For listed buildings, listed external insulations will also need to be protected
building consent will also be required. Under from external rain and from mechanical damage,
certain circumstances external wall insulation external insulation should normally be considered
can be classed as permitted development but as a two-component system where all layers need
the local planning authority should be consulted to work together in harmony.
before any work commences.
Useful materials for the external insulation
itself include:
3.3 Changes in moisture movement
within the wall „ Hemp-lime composites

It is important that the insulation and protective „ Mineral wool

finish installed externally should have low
vapour resistance in order to retain the necessary „ Wood-fibre panels
‘breathability’, and allow moisture to evaporate
away harmlessly. A useful rule of thumb is that all All these insulation materials need to be
layers of an insulated solid wall should become protected from both the weather and mechanical
progressively more permeable from the interior damage, although to differing degrees. Suitable
to the exterior. Whilst it is important to protect moisture-permeable finishes include:
external insulation from rain, this should not
be done in any way that will trap moisture from „ Lime renders
within the fabric or from the ground within the
solid wall material. „ Rain-screen cladding (tile hanging etc) with
lapped joints

Materials which can be used as a single coat

are available, such as insulating lime renders
containing expanded vermiculite, but these tend
to give significantly lower insulating values.
They can, however, sometimes be applied in
circumstances where other types of external
insulation would be detrimental to the character
of a historic building.

If impermeable ‘vapour closed’ insulation systems

are being used then careful detailing and quality
control on site is vital to prevent moisture
finding its way between the external wall and the
insulation layer. Such systems often depend on
mastic sealants which can have a limited lifespan.

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4 Internal Wall

Insulation

Internal wall insulation is usually applied directly For larger thicknesses of insulation, rigid or
to the inner face of the external wall and then a non-rigid insulating materials can be installed
finish is applied to the room side. Rigid insulation between timber studs or battens fixed to the
boards can often be fixed directly to the wall wall with the new internal finish applied to the
face itself, and then the finish applied to conceal timber structure. Occasionally, the structure and
them without any additional structure. In its most insulation may be erected as a separate inner leaf,
convenient form, plasterboard can be obtained with a ventilated cavity between the insulation
with a factory-applied insulation backing which and the original wall. In all cases it is necessary to
can be fixed to the inner face of the wall, often on carefully consider the control of vapour from the
battens providing a small air gap. Although such warm internal air entering and condensing on the
systems alone do not offer very great thermal cold side of the insulation, or within vulnerable
performance they can significantly reduce radiant parts of the external solid wall.
heat loss and energy use.

Vapour excluded

Solid wall
Existing plaster retained
Impermeable rigid insulation
fixed mechanically or with adhesive dabs
Air and vapour control layer
New plaster

Figure 6: Solid wall – internal insulation

A rigid non-permeable insulation is shown here sure this layer is not punctured by fittings or fixtures
fixed either with adhesive dabs or mechanically fixed. otherwise water vapour could find its way into the
A vapour control layer is added to the room side face construction and condense on the cold side of
before plastering. Care needs to be taken to make the insulation.

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4.1 Physical adaptation of the building Thick, high-performing internal insulation
installations will often significantly reduce the
As with external insulation, care needs to be floor area of rooms and corridors, sometimes to
taken with the design and installation of internal the extent that they cannot be used as before.
insulation at critical details in order to avoid cold
bridging, particularly at the reveals of windows
and doors and wall/floor junctions. It is also often 4.2 Changes in the appearance and
necessary to relocate services (radiators and character of a building
associated pipe runs, electric power points and
light switches) as well as making adjustments to Significant internal features such as plaster cornices,
skirting boards and door architraves. picture rails, skirting boards and door architraves
may all be affected by internal wall insulation.
The construction of a separate insulated inner They will inevitably be either concealed or disturbed
leaf could include ventilation to the cavity. to accommodate the insulation. Although it is
However, there is a risk that there will be normally possible to replicate such details on
insufficient air movement within the cavity and the inner face of the new insulation, the effect
any vents could alter the character or appearance of revised room proportions on the design of
of the building. There is no point in ventilating adjacent wall finishes needs to be carefully
such a cavity to the inside of the building, as the considered at the design stage, as the side walls
air movement will simply by-pass the insulation, of an insulated room will become shorter.
rendering it ineffective.

300mm of insulation 
between floor joists

Potential 
cold bridge 
if no insulation

Existing ceiling

Sealing tape to ensure ait­tightness

Wood fibre insulation and lime plaster

External wall

Figure 7: Thermal break at floor junction

To avoid a thermal break at a floor junction insulation
should be added within the perimeter of the floor zone.
It is also important to seal insulation at junctions with
the ceiling to maintain air-tightness.

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 Vapour excluded

Solid wall
Existing plaster retained
Cavity

Rigid insulation
Air and vapour control layer needed
if impermeable insulation is used
New plaster or plasterboard

Vapour excluded

Solid wall
Existing plaster retained

Quilt or rigid insulation

Air and vapour control layer

New plaster

Figure 8 (top): Solid wall – Internal insulation Figure 9 (bottom): Solid wall – Internal insulation
with cavity with timber battens
The insulation here is kept entirely separate from the The use of timber battens can allow other types of
external wall by means of a cavity. If impermeable insulation to be used other than rigid insulation. In
insulation is used then a vapour control layer would some proprietary systems the battens have insulation
still be recommended as the air movement within the bonded to them to minimise cold bridging through the
cavity might be quite minimal. With this arrangement timber. Quilt insulation can be held in place between
the benefits of the wall’s thermal mass are lost. the battens or materials such as cellulose can fill the
cavity. A vapour control layer is shown in this detail as
the insulation is non- permeable.

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The disturbance to the internal appearance can 4.3 Changes in moisture movement
be compounded by the need to extend insulation within the wall
back from the external wall onto party walls,
other internal walls, floors and ceilings to reduce In order to prevent condensation occurring on the
the risk of thermal bridging. cold side of internal ‘vapour-closed’ insulation
it is necessary to separate it effectively from
In listed buildings, consent will be required for the warm moisture-bearing air of the building’s
any internal alterations that affect the appearance interior. This will require the use of an effective
and character, including any materials, vapour control layer. Alternatively, a ‘vapour
details and finishes of historic or architectural open’ permeable system such as wood-fibre
interest. In many cases this may make the can be used where no vapour control layers
installation of insulation unacceptable. are needed.

Effective vapour control is very difficult to achieve

in practical terms. Air and vapour control layers
are positioned on the warm side of the insulation
behind the new finish. As a consequence these
membranes are easily damaged by building users

Vapour excluded

Solid wall
Existing plaster retained

25mm services zone minimises 
risk of damage to air and vapour 
control layer
Impermeable foil faced
rigid insulation
Timber battens
Plasterboard

Figure 10: Solid wall – Internal insulation with services zone

An impermeable foil back rigid insulation board is
shown here with battens fixed over. These provide a
fixing for the plasterboard without puncturing the foil-
face as well as providing a services zone.

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making fixings in walls or modifying electrical
fittings. They can also be punctured during the
construction process itself. All penetrations can
allow moisture vapour through, which can
condense either within or adjacent to the
insulation, potentially causing rot and decay in a
hidden location. Closed-cell foams are inherently
vapour-impermeable, but are vulnerable to
vapour penetration at the joints.

Both forms of vapour control are also vulnerable

at the perimeter, particularly in a traditional
permeable structure, where moisture can by-pass
the physical vapour barrier through adjoining
walls and floors. However, many of these
problems can be overcome by using insulation
systems such as wood-fibre that are hygroscopic
and ‘vapour open’.

Vapour permeable

Lime plaster
Wood fibreboard insulation
Existing lime plaster replaced
depending upon evenness
Solid wall

Figure 11: Internal solid wall insulation (with no vapour control layer)
This shows a fully permeable insulation system using
wood-fibre board and lime plaster. A new lime plaster
may need to be added to the existing wall to provide
an even surface if the existing plaster surface is
particularly uneven or is made of gypsum.

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4.4 Materials

Almost any insulation material available can

be used internally, subject to proper control of
vapour and careful isolation from sources of any
dampness. The full range of possible internal
finishes can also be applied, either to copy the
original or to introduce a new design.

New insulation products are continually

being developed, particularly those that have
a very minimal thickness (around 10mm).
The benefits of such products to reduce overall
energy consumption can be small and relatively
expensive. However, what they can do is make
a room feel more comfortable by reducing
radiant heat loss, raising the surface temperature
of the walls and possibly reducing the risk of
condensation occurring on the decorated surface.

In all cases, it is important to understand the

likely effects of proposals at the design stage in
order to avoid damage to both new and valuable
historic building fabric.

Figure 12 (top)
Permeable insulation such as this wood-fibre board
are compatible with the ‘breathable’ nature of
traditional construction.

Figure 13 (bottom)
Closed cell insulation bonded to plasterboard.

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5 Where to Get Advice

This guidance forms part of a series of thirteen Walls

documents which are listed below, providing „ Insulating timber-framed walls
advice on the principles, risks, materials and
methods for improving the energy efficiency of „ Insulating solid walls
various building elements such as roofs, walls and
floors in older buildings. „ Insulating early cavity walls

This series forms part of a wider comprehensive Windows and doors

suite of guidance providing good practice advice „ Draught-proofing windows and doors
on adaptation to reduce energy use and the
application and likely impact of carbon legislation „ Secondary glazing for windows
on older buildings.
Floors
The complete series of guidance is available to „ Insulating suspended timber floors
download from the Historic England website:
HistoricEngland.org.uk/energyefficiency „ Insulating solid ground floors

Roofs For information on consents and regulations for

„ Insulating pitched roofs at rafter level energy improvement work see
historicengland.org.uk/advice/your-home/
„ Insulating pitched roofs at ceiling level saving-energy/consent-regulations/

„ Insulating flat roofs

„ Insulating thatched roofs

„ Open fires, chimneys and flues

„ Insulating dormer windows

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5.1 Contact Historic England

East Midlands South East

2nd Floor, Windsor House Eastgate Court
Cliftonville 195-205 High Street
Northampton NN1 5BE Guildford GU1 3EH
Tel: 01604 735460 Tel: 01483 252020
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

East of England South West

Brooklands 29 Queen Square
24 Brooklands Avenue Bristol BS1 4ND
Cambridge CB2 8BU Tel: 0117 975 1308
Tel: 01223 582749 Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]

Fort Cumberland Swindon

Fort Cumberland Road The Engine House
Eastney Fire Fly Avenue
Portsmouth PO4 9LD Swindon SN2 2EH
Tel: 023 9285 6704 Tel: 01793 445050
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

London West Midlands

1 Waterhouse Square The Axis
138-142 Holborn 10 Holliday Street
London EC1N 2ST Birmingham B1 1TG
Tel: 020 7973 3700 Tel: 0121 625 6870
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

North East Yorkshire

Bessie Surtees House 37 Tanner Row
41-44 Sandhill York YO1 6WP
Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 3JF Tel: 01904 601948
Tel: 0191 269 1255 Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]

North West
3rd Floor, Canada House
3 Chepstow Street
Manchester M1 5FW
Tel: 0161 242 1416
Email: [email protected]

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We are the public body that looks after
England’s historic environment. We champion
historic places, helping people understand,
value and care for them.

Please contact
[email protected]
with any questions about this document.

HistoricEngland.org.uk

If you would like this document in a different

format, please contact our customer services
department on:

Tel: 0370 333 0607

Fax: 01793 414926
Textphone: 0800 015 0174
Email: [email protected]

Please consider the environment before printing

this document
HEAG081
Publication date: v1.0 March 2012 © English Heritage
Reissue date: v1.1 April 2016 © Historic England
Design: Gale & Hayes/Historic England

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