My husband and I have bought an old stone built cottage and spent the best part of 5 years renovating it. We have a new roof, loft insulation and double glazed sash and case windows. Only trouble is, the house loses heat REALLY quickly in winter, due in part to concrete floors. We have got around this by installing the best possible carpet underlay we can afford.
We have traced the heat loss problem to the tongue and groove panelled walls, where the panelling is fixed to the stone by means of horizonal batterns held in place by huge nails driven direct into the stone walls. Only trouble is, the wind whistles behind the panelling in winter and causes draughts, leading to any heat getting quickly sucked out from the room and straight up into the attic. We need to insulate behind the panelling, but removing it all will be a messy business and replacing it will require skilled joinery. We have wondered about using routed MDF instead but lack knowledge of a good supplier. Also this does not negate the need to insulate, but the problem of condensation worries us.
Extensive research on the internet hasn't turned up anyone else with a similar problem, wondered if anyone on here could offer up any advice?
Thanks
We have traced the heat loss problem to the tongue and groove panelled walls, where the panelling is fixed to the stone by means of horizonal batterns held in place by huge nails driven direct into the stone walls. Only trouble is, the wind whistles behind the panelling in winter and causes draughts, leading to any heat getting quickly sucked out from the room and straight up into the attic. We need to insulate behind the panelling, but removing it all will be a messy business and replacing it will require skilled joinery. We have wondered about using routed MDF instead but lack knowledge of a good supplier. Also this does not negate the need to insulate, but the problem of condensation worries us.
Extensive research on the internet hasn't turned up anyone else with a similar problem, wondered if anyone on here could offer up any advice?
Thanks