Heritage-led Refurbishment and Expansion
Set within the Buckinghamshire countryside, this impressive project combined the careful restoration of a historic property with the construction of a substantial modern extension. The aim was to create a comfortable, energy-efficient home while preserving the character and breathability of the original building fabric. Unity Lime supplied a range of natural insulation and lime-based systems to help achieve a seamless balance between heritage aesthetics and modern performance.
The existing solid walls were upgraded internally using a breathable internal wall insulation system comprising lime plaster and woodfibre insulation. Finished with a traditional lime plaster surface, the system enhanced thermal performance while maintaining the appearance and character expected within a historic property. The vapour-open build-up helps regulate moisture naturally within the structure, reducing the risk of trapped damp and improving long-term building health.
A further feature within the project celebrated the original masonry itself. Selected areas of exposed walling were retained and treated with a breathable lime plaster build-up only, allowing the historic fabric of the building to remain visible and appreciated. This approach highlights the versatility of lime-based systems, which can both enhance thermal performance where required and sympathetically preserve original construction details where appropriate.
Mortars, Renders, Plaster, Paints & Primers
£20.93 (inc. VAT £25.12)
Mortars, Renders, Plaster, Paints & Primers
£21.08 (inc. VAT £25.30)
Boards & Insulation
Price range: £20.47 through £1,364.58
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Baumit
£59.83
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Price range: £34.06 through £42.48
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
As part of the wider refurbishment works, the roof was completely re-roofed using PAVATEX Pavaflex flexible woodfibre insulation between rafters alongside Isolair woodfibre sarking boards externally. This high-performance roof build-up delivers excellent thermal performance year-round, whilst also providing significant thermal mass and decrement delay benefits. During the summer months, the dense woodfibre insulation helps slow the transfer of heat into the building, creating a far more comfortable internal environment and protecting against overheating.
Boards & Insulation
Price range: £36.90 through £571.45
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Boards & Insulation
Price range: £20.47 through £1,364.58
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Price range: £44.98 through £80.73
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
In areas of the property where the finish was required to match that of the internal wall insulation system, Fibrolith woodwool boards were installed with a lime plaster finish to maintain visual continuity throughout the home. The woodwool boards provide an excellent key for lime plasters while also contributing additional acoustic absorption and breathability. The finished appearance integrates naturally with the surrounding lime plastered surfaces, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic across both the historic and newly constructed areas of the property.
Boards & Insulation
Price range: £10.60 through £11.75
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Mortars, Renders, Plaster, Paints & Primers
£23.74 (inc. VAT £28.49)
Baumit
£59.83
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Mortars, Renders, Plaster, Paints & Primers
£21.08 (inc. VAT £25.30)
Fixings
Price range: £43.43 through £82.00
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
This project demonstrates how Unity Lime’s breathable insulation systems can be tailored to suit the varying requirements of complex heritage and contemporary buildings alike. By combining natural insulation materials, vapour-open construction methods and traditional lime finishes, the property now benefits from improved comfort, moisture management, energy efficiency and long-term durability, all while retaining the architectural character that makes the building unique.
