Designing out unintended consequences when applying solid wall insulation FB 79

BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.

On 31 March 2016, BRE published Designing out unintended consequences when applying solid wall insulation (FB 79), written by Colin King and Caroline Weeks.

The guide points out that around 80% of the existing housing stock will still be in use in 2050, and so if we are to achieve targets to reduce carbon emissions, it is important that efforts are made to improve the performance of these buildings. Refurbishing solid walls with externally or internally applied insulation can help reduce heat loss, but it can also cause problems such as condensation and mould growth if it is not installed correctly.

FB 79 provides advice about how to assess potential risks and reduce the likelihood of long-term problems, including:

• Surveying and assessing risk and existing ventilation.
• Detailed design.
• Quality assurance on site.
• Adopting an integrated approach.

The 24 page guide is intended for surveyors, designers and installers, but it will also be useful for clients and householders, helping ensure expectations are realistic as they commission an appropriate team of professionals to undertake installation.

Its contents are:

• Introduction and background.
• Types of unintended consequences.
• Causes of potential problems with solid wall insulation.
• Tackling the causes of unintended consequences.
• Conclusions.
• References.

--BRE Group

[edit] Find out more

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[edit] External references:

• Reducing thermal bridging at junctions when designing and installing solid wall insulation (FB 61).
• Conventions for calculating linear thermal transmittance and temperature factors (BR 497, 2nd edn).
• Understanding dampness (BR 466).
• Thermal insulation: avoiding risks (BR 262).
• Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multi-storey buildings (BR 135, 3rd edn).