VIEWPOINT DELIVERING QUALITY RETROFIT ACROSS UK HOUSING


Simon Storer, chief executive, Insulation Manufacturers Association


RETROFITTING THE UK’S existing homes is one of the most urgent challenges facing the construction industry and one of the biggest opportunities. By 2050, four in five homes people will live in have already been built1. Many of these homes are cold, draughty and energy inefficient, yet homeowners increasingly expect warm, comfortable, affordable to run properties. For contractors and merchants, this means playing a pivotal role in supplying and installing the solutions that will make these older homes fit for the future.


The UK has nearly six million houses built before 1919 and over half of this housing stock predates the first insulation requirements introduced in 1965. Many of these ageing buildings are poorly insulated, lose vast amounts of heat and require substantial work. But the sheer volume and variability of the UK’s older building stock requires tailored retrofitting approaches, not a simple one-size-fits-all solution.


Closing the gap While higher standards for energy efficiency have been introduced for new build housing and have culminated in the Future Homes Standard becoming mandatory in 2025, there is very little to promote and deliver the improvements needed for existing buildings. The Government’s Warm Homes Plan promises to help close that performance gap. With £3.4bn allocated over three years (roughly £1.1bn annually) the plan introduces grants and low-interest loans to support investments in insulation, solar panels, batteries, and low- carbon heating systems. These measures aim to lower energy bills and reduce emissions, helping to address the UK’s notoriously inefficient housing stock. The biggest obstacles are


not only regulatory but also in terms of finance and education. Householders need confidence that any investment in retrofit will pay back in reduced bills, healthier living environments and more resilient housing. Without a clearer understanding and affordability, uptake will always lag behind ambition. For contractors, this makes advice and communication just as important as the installation work itself.


To reach net zero by 2050 (2045 in Scotland), it will be vital to make improvements to homes and other buildings to reduce emissions. This means installing a whole range of energy saving measures; from better insulation and more efficient appliances to replacing fossil fuelled boilers with low carbon alternatives such as heat pumps.


Fabric first


For contractors, insulation is one of the simplest and most cost- effective ways to reduce energy demand and cut CO2. Lower U-values in walls, floors and roofs will result in less heat loss and better thermal performance which in turn will help to deliver higher energy efficiency standards. Highly effective and versatile, polyisocyanurate (PIR) and polyurethane (PUR) are some of the most effective insulation products available and provide versatile solutions in the form of boards, blocks, cavity injected, composite panels, and spray or panel insulation. These highly effective and versatile products ensure that heat loss is substantially reduced for enhanced energy efficiency. A key advantage of PIR in particular is that it is a true ‘fit and forget’ solution. Installed correctly, it will last the lifetime of a building, providing confidence that performance is locked in for


January 2026 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


“The UK has nearly six million houses built before 1919 and over half of this housing stock predates the first insulation requirements in 1965.”


decades to come without the need for further intervention.


Health and comfort Well insulated buildings can also improve occupant comfort and wellbeing. A thermally efficient building fabric helps to maintain stable, comfortable indoor temperatures during both the winter and summer months, supporting the physical and mental health of building users. Another key benefit is tackling fuel poverty. This issue is alleviated as a greater proportion of heat is retained more effectively in homes when incorporating superior fabric efficiencies. A properly insulated home has a direct impact on fuel bills, especially during the winter months.


Quality matters Contractors have a crucial role to play in delivering successful retrofits but in order to upgrade buildings to the standards required, it will be essential to establish its existing condition and carry out an accurate energy audit by a competent assessor. Factors such as the building’s design, location


and construction materials may influence the best solution; correct detailing, materials and process are all important considerations as is pre-installation preparation and other remedial work such as ensuring gutters and downpipes do not leak. An adequate ventilation scheme should also be introduced as improved airtightness will alter the air flow and internal building environment.


With the need for retrofit on the increase it is most important that work is carried out with a holistic approach following a comprehensive set of standards: assessment, compliance, installation and commissioning, to ensure the building performs as intended and that works are carried out in the most appropriate order. Professional co-ordination coupled with consumer motivation, can deliver a successful retrofit. But good design and workmanship necessitates a proper level of quality assurance throughout the process, and good detailing is important for new-build and retrofit alike. To ensure thermal performance is achieved, all contractors need to make sure site supervision is of a good standard, the manufacturer’s installation instructions are followed and installation instructions around potential cold thermal bridges and detailing are achieved. Upgrading the UK’s ageing housing stock with high performance insulation is essential to cut heat loss, reduce emissions and ease the pressure of fuel bills, while creating warmer and healthier homes. For the sector, the task is clear with success depending on collaboration, consistent quality and the right products on site. It’s only through coordinated and sustained improvement efforts that we will be able to reduce environmental impact and leave a resilient housing legacy for future generations. BMJ


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