Aerogel Insulation Converts Old Mill House Into Modern Energy-Saving Passive House

Challenges

• Insulate a Swiss home built in the 1600s to achieve passive energy status – not requiring heating or cooling.
• Conserve living space.
• Use a flexible insulation to maintain the original shape and reveals of the house.

Aerogel Solution

• An aerogel solution consisting of multiple layers of 9 mm Thermabok^® was used externally and internally on the walls and also internally on the floors.
• Externally – traditional rendering systems were applied with a standard metal mesh incorporated to protect the system.
• Internally – standard plaster was used to allow a breathable solution that let entrapped vapor "breathe" through the wall.

Benefits

• The U value of the walls improved from 1 W/m2K to 0.2 W/m2K.
• The contractor experienced faster installation rates for the walls and floors.
• The building retained its character features.