Featured Project 3
Project Outline: Retro-fit insulation to previously uninsulated loft area of the Palace Block situated at the heart of Edinburgh Castle that houses Historic Scotland’s staff on the upper floor. Insulation was needed to be of a type that would be sympathetic to the fabric of the national monument.
Product Details
Thermafleece – sheep’s wool insulation slabs installed between joists.
Design and Installation Criteria
- Insulation to be sympathetic to the structure.
- Must provide a good insulation value in the limited space available.
- Non-irritant material making access easier and safer.
Project Details
Concern about the heating bills prompted the need for insulating the loft space of the Palace Block. The area to be insulated is directly below what is now used as offices and staff areas within the Palace Block.
The loft insulation needed to work sympathetically with the ancient structure of the Castle as well as providing above average insulation performance given the limited depth available in the loft area. Given the age of the building, it was also important that insulation was able to cope with fluctuations in humidity levels within the fabric.
It was vital that the insulation contained in the loft was non-irritant posing no hazard to maintenance staff entering the loft area. Unlike most modern buildings where services are generally hidden behind walls, most services in the palace block run through the loft area. Access to these services has to be maintained in a safe and practical manner.
The ability of Thermafleece to fulfil all 3 design criteria made it the ideal choice for the project.
Benefits
- The project has helped enable Historic Scotland to reduce their heating bill by £110,000 per year.
- The carbon footprint for the Castle’s historic buildings has been cut by 18%.
- The hygroscopic nature of wool fibres mean the insulation can help regulate humidity levels within the building.
