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[digiman]

My house is about 200 years old with solid brick walls. I have insulated the roof recently and am in the process of insulating the walls room by room. I have quite a number of spare Kingspan K7 insulating panels from the roof. I understand that these are OK for the walls. I am fittng treated wood battons (25mm thick) to the wall over a DPM membrane. I am not having much luck from Kinspan as to how to attach the panels (50 and 60mm thick) to the battons and then attaching the plaster board to the insulation panels. Kingspan recomend Helifix, but Helifix do not supply any fixings for this method, they require 38mm battons above and below the insulating panels. Do I also need a vapour barier between the battons and the Kingspan? I am going round the houses without progress. Any ideas please.

[geon]

Hi, If you used 38mm x2 plus Kingspan you would have no room left! Use the battens vertically, try not to use cross/horizontal battens, for ease of wiring systems later. Only one vapour barrier needed. You can get long galvanised nails but the heads are small so use an adhesive as well, Kinspan to batten and then plasterboard to Kingsapn. Foil backed plasterboard would add insulation and vapour barrier. The nails will hold in 25mm and sink into plaster behind, but don't get them too long. Check with your plasterer the gap he wants between boards and at ceiling. Seal floor to wall before you fit new skirting to stop drafts, then think about ventilation. Heavier plasterboard can carry most fittings. Leave a gap at floor level behind skirting for more hidden wires.

Fit heavy 3 x 3 fence post bearers with long frame fixing screws to support radiators and adjust plumbing, easiest to use a circular tubing cutter, pull plumbing below floor, bend and push up again in new position then a straight yorkshire joint, fit insulation and board around bearers. Actually use new radiators and valves and don't let the black sludge from the old ones get onto your wife's carpet.

Then insulate under the floor as well!

Hope that helps. John