Best Method for Insulating 350 Year old Cottage Information, help, tips and advice on cavity walls, ceilings and lofts etc....

[Ellagarf]

Hi . Just wondering if anyone can provide any advice . We are currently renovating a cottage which is approx 350 years old . We’re just at the stage of starting to insulate and we’re advised to batten out and insulate that way therefore hiding all pipework etc . However , I’ve recently read an article and have been put off that idea as worried about trapping in the moisture . I’ve read about hemp lime plaster and like that idea as it apparently allows walls the breathe etc but not sure how we would hide pipework ? So confused , please help !

[bitstreams]

We have an old cottage, stone walls with a rubble infill. Upstairs we have had good success by building a stud wall inside the north facing wall and then using insulation between the studwork. Then we used plasterboard over the top and the result is quite remarkable - so much warmer.
Downstairs the walls were damp when we moved in and we removed all Gypsum plaster on the inside taking the walls back to stone and then lime plastered ourselves. It's an old cottage so a neat finish isn't entirely necessary. We then use a breathable paint.
More importantly on the outside we removed any concrete render and repointed in lime - adding a french drain to try and get any moisture away.

Inside on some rooms we have half-boarded (to waist height) and this hides the electrics and rad pipes and also fits in with the cottage feel. It's probably hiding losts of flaking lime plaster at the lower edge of the walls, but what you cant see etc..

Simon