A traditional stone-built farmhouse on an exposed Cumbrian hillside has been transformed into a well-insulated and energy efficient home thanks to the use of natural building materials from Ecological Building Systems.

Building contractors IJ Curry & Son selected Diasen Diathonite Evolution natural plaster from Ecological Building Systems. The product provided the ability to both insulate and plaster the farmhouse and achieve a very low U-value, with under 80mm depth of material.

Diathonite Evolution is an insulating plaster produced from a combination of hydrated lime, natural hydraulic lime (NHL-3.5), clay, cork and diatomaceous earth.

As a natural material, it allows moisture to pass through and helps walls in older buildings, such as the farmhouse, to dry out thanks to its capillary active, hygroscopic and moisture vapour diffusion open nature.

It can be applied internally or externally on solid stone or masonry walls and ceilings, providing both insulation and moisture management. Diathonite Evolution is suitable for use on stone or brick surfaces, once any gypsum plaster has been removed, as well as on wood-based panels, lath and plasterboard that have been primed with Diasen Aquabond.

The benefit of Diathonite Evolution is that it can help regulate moisture to manage dampness and humidity in solid walls of the type often found within older buildings.

After applying the Diathonite Evolution to the internal walls, Diasen Argatherm was applied on top, which is a smoothing plaster used to achieve an authentic beautiful finishwhile maintaining the vapour control of the walls. Diasen Polites 80 mesh from Ecological Building Systems was used around the curved windows to create a more authentic look.

The existing building’s uninsulated U-value was 2.38W/m²k, and after insulation, the U-value was 0.41W/m²k, achieving a 5.8 times improvement.

Nick Curry, from I J Curry & Son Ltd builders, said: “Using these naturally-based plaster products from Ecological Building Systems made it really easy to achieve the U-value required on this project within a minimum depth.  This was a major renovation of an old farmhouse, which had no previous insulation, so it will make a huge difference to the warmth and comfort of the building.”

Finally, vapour permeable natural paint coated the newly insulated internal walls, whilst the outside of the building was lime-washed, and gravel drainage was used to ensure the walls remain dry.

Neil Turner, Technical Manager at Ecological Building Systems, explains: “Our Diasen insulating plaster products are extremely popular for major renovations of old buildings with solid walls, like this one.  The use of these products offers a complete solution to address issues of humidity and thermal performance in a renovated building.”

Ecological Building Systems has grown significantly through supplying innovative, sustainable, high quality ecological building materials, backed up by expert advice and product training.

The company was set up in County Meath, Ireland in 2000, with the UK division established in 2007 and based near Carlisle in Cumbria.  Ecological’s parent company is MacCann & Byrne, a family-owned company steeped in history having been established on the same premises in Athboy since 1906.

For more details on natural, solid wall or suspended timber floor insulations, visit www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com.