Everything you need to know about natural materials

By Jamie Keats

When thinking about a whole house retrofit, using natural building materials can bring a range of benefits.

When retrofitting older properties, natural materials can allow the building to continue breathing, avoid the risk of condensation and provide plenty of comfort benefits, as well as being good for the planet with low embodied carbon.

Here are six steps to follow if you’re thinking about using natural building materials as part of a whole house retrofit.

Step 1: Strip the wall, right back to brick if possible.

Step 2: Use natural lime plaster to attach the wood fibre insulation to the wall. This is breathable and will ensure that any air gaps are closed giving you a tight fit. There are many suppliers we like to use boards from Steico.

Step 3: Tape the joist ends, these are common air leakage points in a building. This will not only cut insulation bypassing draughts and help to reduce condensation.

Step 4: Where space is tight around windows, consider using thinner materials such as insulating plaster such as BreathAplasta.

Step 5: Cover up your insulation. This can be done with breathable plasters. At wrapt, we like to use a breathable board.

Step 6: Once your board or plaster is completed you’re ready to paint. Of course you’ll need to use a breathable paint to make sure the wall is able to continue breathing.

wrapt homes uses natural materials, locally sourced where possible. We hope we’ve made it seem easy!

If you still need a professional for your project, get in touch to find out more.