Barn Conversion Insulation & Design Guide - For Your Barn Roof

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BBA Approved Timber Frame Insulation - Timber frame barns present less of a problem for converters, especially if you are thinking of laying down a Multi-foil Insulation or BBA Approved Thermal Insulation to the building envelope.

If there be one single rule of thumb that will ultimately lead you to creating a design scheme that works for a residential barn conversion, it is that you should be ‘true to the building’, basically meaning that you will ensure that the barn loses none of its original form and character, and that you do not simply turn it into a house, but Timber frame insulation is essential in your conversion, you will need adequate barn conversion insulation, or your fuel bills will be staggering.

Roof

The roof is the predominant feature of any barn. Usually you will find that it will be necessary to remove the existing roof covering to allow for roof repairs or alterations, and the addition of a BBA Approved thermal insulation, multi-foil insulation (which can also be used as loft conversion insulation) and membrane to improve weather and air tightness.

BBA Approved Timber ...
... Frame Insulation - Timber frame barns present less of a problem for converters, especially if you are thinking of laying down a Multi-foil Insulation or BBA Approved Thermal Insulation to the building envelope. The existing cladding – usually timber – can often be removed, and a layer of BBA Approved Multi-foil insulation added in between and over the frame, plus a breathable damp-proof membrane. Where it is possible we would always recommend that you salvage and reuse as much of the original cladding, and make up balance using like-for-like materials.

BBA Approved Barn Conversion Insulation - You will need to think about ways that you can ensure that you are keeping your barn conversion insulated and as warm as possible.  Barn conversion insulation (which is also good for loft conversion insulation) is so important, these are big buildings and energy prices are at an all time high. Therefore at the top of your shopping list there should always be a BBA Approved Multi-foil insulation Loft conversion insulation. You could just opt for a multi-foil insulation or a variety of thermal insulation. If you don’t have already a full loft/roof barn conversion or timber frame and wall insulation, then it is certainly an outlay that is worth investing in, as in the long run you can really save money as well as energy.  If you have only remembered one thing from your school science classes, let it be that heat rises.  So any heat from your home will go up, out and away – taking your hard earned cash, and valuable energy with it. Building Regulations recommend thermal insulation to be a thickness of 270mm, with the most effective thickness recorded to be 350mm. Multi-foil insulation is perfect for this job.

Timber frame insulation (Loft conversion insulation) can be applied between and beneath the rafters, but where the rafters are made from interesting timbers, and considered worth leaving exposed as an internal feature, it will be necessary to lay timber frame insulation between and over them. This will raise the height of the roof by approximately 100mm.

Part of the charm of a barn conversion can be the irregularity of the roof shape where the original timbers may have bowed, twisted and warped over time. Although evening out the roof will help the roof covering sit flush and weather tight, a completely symmetrical new roof, laid with replacement tiles, can lack character. With care, the roof can be repaired but the undulations carefully maintained.

Dormer windows are not usually appropriate other than where existing, so any new window openings in the roof will be roof lights, and in most instances metal conservation-style roof lights which sit flush with the line of the roof. Too many roof lights usually looks wrong, and it is best to keep them on the less important elevations.

It may also be possible to introduce a larger area of glazing on minor, less prominent elevations, using a bespoke roof light system, or by glazing a section of the roof between the existing rafters.

If this simple philosophy is applied to every aspect of design, from window and door treatments, to internal subdivision, the project should not go far wrong and should also be in line with the requirements of the local planning authority.
Resource: http://www.alumaflex.co.uk/