Yesterday - Sunday - I decided was the time to insulate the conservatory walls.
For those who don't know, we moved into this bungalow October last year and had 3 months worth of renovations done to bring it up to scratch. However, the inherited conservatory didn't get touched. As winter drew on we found problems. One of the roof panels was shattered on the top layer (double layer polypropylene) and where the guttering runs along the roof just under the eaves of the main building we had a leak. It wasn't major, just a constant slow drip, but minor becomes major if left untreated.
We also found that despite having a radiator in there which is linked to the main house system, it was cold and damp.
The room is not only currently 'the animal's room', where the dogs and cat sleep overnight, but it also is to eventually double as my art studio because of the wonderful amount of natural light. I can't work in a mouldy room.
So I've set about changing that.
First we had a professional deal with the roof and the guttering, so now we're dry.
The walls have (for some unknown reason) been built at one brick thickness instead of two, so no cavity wall to insulate.
On a tight budget (having spent all our money on the main house) I researched what to do. Insulation was necessary without a doubt, but what? How?
I didn't want to lose space for the sake of thickening walls so I've opted for a super-insulation which is only 5mm thick. It's brilliant. Even just holding your hand a mere 2cm away and the heat is soon generated and bounced back. I felt a considerable increase in temperature doing this for less than a minute. So it should work on the walls.
To make life easy I measured up and got a local builders merchant to cut all the wood I needed to the correct sizes. The frame is 1/4" x 1" (6mmx2.5mm) baton/doorstop and the facing is 6mm plywood, which I will simply varnish or stain to keep the pattern.
Here's how it went.
Not too bad if I say so myself. I have to finish off with beading along the top edges and then stain the wood but it took me 4 hours, on my own, so a successful project I reckon.
Now to insulate the ceiling.....
