Benhaven: a deep retrofit

The plan is to add eaves; build massive insulation into the roof and floor; seal up major air leaks; get good windows; and improve moisture management in the bathroom.

Before anything can happen, we need to shore up the walls. And then rebuild the roof so it can take the loads of insulation and overhanging eaves.

It turned out that all the electrical wiring needed to be replaced. Anyway, new wiring was needed for outdoor lights, an exhaust fan, and a split system heat pump.

What if there was a material that buffered temperatures; didn’t trap moisture; was durable; cheap and easy to buy; an agricultural waste product?

A ceiling of limewashed OSB. A floor of salvaged hardwood floorboards. Both are cheap, functional, and cosy.

Having a flat roof is asking for trouble. So: sheathing for a clear drainage plane; battens for a ventilation path; ribbed metal roofing.

A healthy space should be based on managing moisture. Constant ventilation, vapour permeable walls, and hygroscopic clay plaster.

Every home needs decent windows. Of course these come at a price. So I tried my hand at making my own timber windows.

Schedule of materials with costing.