When we set out to retrofit our 1930s home, we weren’t just upgrading a property, we became self-builders, managing the project from start to finish while working closely with experienced builders and specialists. Our home had serious underlying issues-poor insulation, leaky windows, damp, black mould and draughts that made it uncomfortable, unhealthy and expensive to heat. Rather than applying quick fixes, we were determined to uncover and address the root causes of these problems to create a home that was truly energy-efficient, healthy and built to last.
This wasn’t just a renovation- it was a complete transformation. We followed a Fabric First Approach, focusing on increasing insulation, airtightness and improving ventilation before considering additional heating or renewable energy solutions.
Success in retrofitting isn’t just about good materials- it’s about the intense attention to detail in installation. Every junction, every seal, every layer of insulation had to be precisely fitted to eliminate thermal bridges and ensure airtightness.
Our retrofit journey: self-building a warmer, more efficient home
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We Project Managed: We co-ordinated trades, budgets and timelines while problem-solving on-site.
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With Technical & Construction Knowledge: We understood best materials, airtightness strategies and retrofit best practices.
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Became Hands-On Self-Builders: We took an active role in installation, decision-making, snagging and troubleshooting.
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We collaborated with Builders & Specialists: We worked alongside experts to ensure high-quality execution.
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Achieved Sustainability by Futureproofing: We designed for efficiency, durability and lower running costs.
Follow Our Journey
I’ve been documenting our exploration of the original house, identifying its weaknesses and showcasing all the fabric upgrades we’ve carried out to date. If you’re interested in uncovering existing issues to and seeing the retrofit process unfold, watch my informative videos, where I share detailed insights into: 🎥 The hidden issues we uncovered in our 1930s home 🎥 How we tackled insulation, airtightness, cold bridging & ventilation There are step-by-step guides on internal & external insulation, triple glazing and warm flat roof installation that show how we transformed our home. By carefully diagnosing and addressing the true issues, we’ve created a comfortable, quiet and energy-efficient space with fresh air, stable temperatures and significantly lower bills. I’m sharing our story to inspire and inform others considering a deep retrofit or self-build journey. Whether you’re planning small improvements or a full-scale transformation, we hope our experience helps you take the next step with confidence. Thinking about upgrading your home? Let’s talk about where you might start.
Our professional expertise played a key role in making this retrofit a success:
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