We've started on a new 'whole house' retrofit of a weavers cottage near Meltham. As well as energy efficiency improvements, there are big structural improvements to be made, including tying in the bowing walls and rewiring. The house was bought as a 'doer-upper' and the structural issues urgently needed addressing which helped catalyse action for the retrofit.
Weavers cottage
The house could have been built any time between 1780-1830. It has a classic weavers cottage style with small mullioned windows to let in the light for the handloom weavers who lived there. It is a solid stone construction.
If only the walls called talk! The house has been alterred many times over its 200 year life with openings created and then sealed. It probably started life as a detached home but now has houses either side into a small terrace of similarly-styled weavers cottages.
In the 1970s a small extension with a flat roof was added at the front of the house, accommodating a small kitchen and bathroom.
Re-modelling
The house is around 50m2 in size and currently doesn't use the space well, with odd layout quirks eg the bathroom coming immediately off the kitchen.
Ashley Bamford of Bamford Architectural has developed a more open plan ground floor layout to improve the flow within the house and make the best use of the small space.
AECB retrofit standard
We've been getting the house down to its bare bones so we can start making all the energy efficiency improvements. The retrofit is aiming for AECB retrofit standard certification. We're enjoying working on the project to bring about a dramatic transformation in comfort and useability of the home. The retrofit is aiming for AECB retrofit standard certification - level 2.
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