Retro EcoWall: Internally Insulating Traditional Buildings

Retro EcoWall was officially launched at the RIAI Architecture & Building Expo in October 2022, where it was highly commended in the ‘Best Interior Product’ category of the Architect’s Choice Awards. The system combines the breathable, insulating and sustainability benefits of Diasen Thermactive cork lime thermal plaster, Gutex Thermoroom high performance woodfibre insulation boards, Gutex Thermoroom Reinforcing Mesh embedded within Lime Green Solo finishing plaster and Auro breathable natural paint. 

On hard-to-treat traditional walls, it is important to ensure the thermal solution is compatible with the existing wall, not only thermally, but from a moisture management perspective also. Traditional walls are often uneven and require significant preparation to level prior to being internally insulated. This can lead to extended lead times and increased costs, along with the loss of precious internal space. Retro EcoWall provides a comprehensive solution to this by combining capillary active cork lime thermal plaster with moisture open woodfibre boards. Remaining true to the ethos of achieving ‘better building’ by adopting a ‘fabric first’ approach to design, breathable lime plaster and natural paint are then applied to complete the system.  

A key benefit of combining insulating plaster with woodfibre is that lower U-values can be attained with smaller thicknesses. For example, combining just 30mm of Diasen Thermactive cork lime insulating plaster with 60mm Gutex Thermoroom woodfibre boards improves the U-value of a traditional stone wall from 2.38 W/m²K to just 0.35 W/m²K. Likewise, using the same products on a traditional brick wall, only this time with 20mm of Diasen Thermactive, would see the U-value improve from 2.19 W/m²K to 0.39 W/m²K. The complete Retro EcoWall build-up has also been verified using WUFI hygrothermal modelling on numerous projects by independent consultants and by the Ecological Building Systems technical team. 

Key benefits: 

• A complete specification solution: combining the unique properties of insulating cork and lime with wood fibre insulation
• Retains the breathability of traditional walls and protects against condensation, mould and building deterioration
• Uses natural insulating materials with EPDs
• Achieves low U-values with the optimum use of space
• Quick installation time

As embodied carbon emissions come more into focus, low carbon thermal solutions such as Retro EcoWall will be essential in the drive to bring traditional buildings back to life. If you are retrofitting a traditional building and would like to learn more about Retro EcoWall, or need advice on any of the products mentioned, get in touch to speak to one of our highly-trained technical team.