Ken Moon

What you've done around your home to be green?

"Currently undertaking an eco-renovation of our end of terraced property using natural locally sourced materials and labour. The first job was to replace the 1970's single glazed windows with locally made hardwood double glazed sash windows, which are more in keeping with the age and style of the property. Have installed 10cm of hemp insulation in the loft (as much as the rafters will allow!) over the main body of the house and 15-20cm of `warmcel' above the kitchen/bathroom extension. Considered an external hemp lime insulating render of the side and rear of the property, as the walls are solid stone, but this proved to be cost prohibitive and unproven in it's effect.

We have built out the roof by approx 60cms to the side and rear of the property to reduce the moisture entering the property. We used timber sourced from a sustainably managed woodland in Gwent. We have also rebuilt the chimneystack using reclaimed brinks and a lime mortar to increase airflow and reduce damp. Both jobs were undertaking using local labour and materials. Currently insulating with 10cm of hemp between the floorboards on the 1st floor to reduce heat loss internally.

We have refused grants and other support, which requires using materials such as Rockwool as we remain unconvinced of their `green' credentials and natural materials perform better under a variety of conditions."

Why did you do it?

"Because, as with much of the pre-war housing stock in the UK, the property lends itself to the use of natural building materials. Much of the properties current problems with damp are due to the use of non-breathable materials such as concrete and gypsum which, as well as absorbing and retaining moisture have a larger CO₂ footprint than materials such as lime. We are keen that the renovation and management of the property has as small an ecological footprint as possible.

What's next?

The next job is to rebuild the extension and replace the un-insulated metal roof and breezeblock construction with a round wood timber framed structure supporting a sedum/turf roof and using `waste' glazing sourced from a local PVC glazing company-using timber off cuts to make the frames. We will be using recycled blown glass as insulation under the floor, which will itself be made using `limecrete'.

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