Retrofitting helps to improve a property's energy efficiency by upgrading the building fabric and adding new technology. It can save you money on energy bills, and significantly reduce your home's carbon footprint. Your home will have comfortable, even temperatures all year round, with no draughts, mould or condensation problems.
There are different ways to retrofit a house, varying from single-room improvements to whole-house retrofits, but they all aim to increase your energy efficiency. This focus on efficiency is why retrofitting differs from renovating or making cosmetic improvements. Several industry groups believe retrofitting the country's housing stock is essential, especially if the UK is to reach net-zero by 2050, which is why many groups are currently campaigning for a national retrofit strategy to be introduced to help provide a roadmap.
WHAT IS RETROFITTING?
Chayley Collis and Bill Butcher from Green Building Store explain: “It is more than just renovating a building and involves more substantial changes to make it much more energy-efficient.”
Retrofitting typically involves a significant improvement in the thermal performance and comfort of your home, as well as the building fabric. Paul Testa of Paul Testa Architecture adds: “Retrofitting is multi-faceted and can include insulating roofs, walls, and floors; replacement windows; improved ventilation design; airtightness works and more efficient heating and hot water systems. Renewables are also often installed during retrofits.”
DOES YOUR HOUSE NEED RETROFITTING?
There are very few homes that wouldn't benefit from retrofit work, especially old solid wall construction buildings like Victorian terraced houses.
There are many ways of evaluating your home's energy efficiency:
Bu hikaye Homebuilding & Renovating dergisinin March 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Homebuilding & Renovating dergisinin March 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
SOLAR MYTHS DEBUNKED
We ask the experts about the truth behind 12 common myths around solar panels...
Experience pays
Seasoned renovators Sue and Jim Savege put their knowledge and skills to the test when renovating and extending their 19th-century Scottish cottage
10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN EXTENDING YOUR HOME
You've got your plans in place and are close to getting started on site, but what other key tasks need completing to keep everything on track? Here's what you need to consider...
Lofts Conversion glazing
Extending upwards is a great way to gain extra space but it is crucial to get the glazing right to capture views, control the light and prevent overheating
A modern slant
After buying an east London Victorian terrace, one couple decided to extend it outwards and upwards to make it fit for 21st-century living
A BUILDER'S VIEW
Make sure you get accurate quotes for your project by following this key advice
12 tips for tackling a slow renovation
Taking on a renovation project? Consider our tips on doing it in your own time and undertaking the work in stages to avoid the pressures of a strict deadline
PLANNING LOOPHOLES
If you get familiar with some of the lesser-known rules, they may just help you get approval for your project
Pastures greener
Having built their previous home themselves Paul and Johanna Suter decided a custom oak frame self-build in a verdant setting was the perfect choice for creating their family home
In perfect harmony
Susi Clark's long-held wish for creating a combined home and workspace came to fruition on a tricky sloping site
