The no-cavity cavity

[Jules]

I have a small detached bungalow that was built almost 80 years ago.

It should have a cavity wall; internal structural brick wall and external stone block (9") wall with a 2" cavity between. However it looks like the cavity was filled up during construction.

The consequences are poor insulation - high heating costs and cold/damp zones in winter.

I would like to clear the cavity and welcome advise from anyone reading this posting - especially if they have tackled this sort of problem.

Many thanks and good luck to all you intrepid DIYers.

Julian

[Paul]

Jules,

The age of the bungalow would indicate to me that it was built as a solid wall - certainly very common up to WW2 (like my old house built in 1939!)

It would not be possible to create a cavity wall without demolishing the bungalow and rebuilding, however there are ways of increasing the insulation, the easiest is to dry-line the external walls with insulation board - a sheet of expanded polystyrene faced with plasterboard. If you remove all the old plaster from the walls before you start then you would only lose 1" on the width of the room (the thickness of the insulation.

Paul

[Stuart]

With solid walls - you can construct a cavity either inside or outside.

Inside and you'll loose room space - but you construct a timber stud wall and dry line and decorate.

Externally something similar,but the outside finish needs to be stronger and weather proofed with a render. Into the cavity you create you can add further insulation to comply with the current building regs.