Retrofit of historic timber-framed buildings in the UK: monitoring replacement infill panels

With the low energy retrofit of buildings of traditional construction there exists the risk that these improvements may lead to interstitial condensation and moisture accumulation. For historic timber-framed buildings, this potentially exposes the embedded historic timbers to conditions favouring fungal decay and insect infestation. He will present his research examining these risks, including in situ hygrothermal monitoring of case studies, hygrothermal simulation, the monitoring of physical test panels installed in dual climatic controlled chambers and to conclude, the initial results of the ongoing research project, funded by Historic England, monitoring the hygrothermal performance of four replacement infill details. The materials under review are traditional wattle and daub, a wood fibre and wood wool composite detail, expanded cork board and hempcrete