Project features

The project

Based in Aberdeen, Asset Integrity Scotland specialises in retrofit insulation for traditional buildings. In this project, their goal was simple but essential: to help the homeowner stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer, without compromising the building’s heritage or breathability.

Working with the existing fabric of older stone properties requires care and consideration. Rather than forcing modern materials into traditional structures, the team prioritises materials that complement the original build. That’s where Sisalwool comes in.

Goals

• Improve year-round thermal comfort
  
• Use breathable, vapour-open insulation
  
• Minimise disruption to the original building fabric
  
• Support healthy indoor air quality
  
• Deliver long-term energy efficiency
  

Why Sisalwool?

Traditional stone buildings don’t mix well with closed-cell insulation or vapour barriers. Instead, they require natural materials that allow moisture to pass through, avoiding condensation and structural damage.

Sisalwool is ideal for this approach. Made from breathable natural fibres, it works with the building, not against it. It helps regulate moisture, improves thermal performance, and fits neatly into traditional construction methods. On top of that, it’s sustainable, non-toxic, and easy to handle on-site.

Benefits

• Breathable, vapour-open insulation
  
• Improved thermal comfort all year round
  
• Reduces thermal bridging when paired with wood-fibre board
  
• Non-toxic, easy to install and handle
  
• Supports healthy internal environments
  

Installation

This project involved three key retrofit elements: internal walls, room-in-roof spaces, and underfloor insulation.

For the internal walls, the team first stripped everything back to bare stone to assess the condition. Once confirmed as sound, a stud frame was installed and Sisalwool friction-fitted between the timbers. This was followed by an airtight vapour control layer and a plasterboard finish.

In the room-in-roof, any existing plasterboard and old insulation were removed. Again, the structure was checked thoroughly for leaks or damage. Sisalwool was installed to the full rafter depth, with an airtight vapour control layer and plasterboard added as the final finish.

To reduce thermal bridging and improve performance, wood fibre board was often used as an over-sheet in both wall and roof applications.

Underfloor insulation was also added where appropriate, with Sisalwool fitted snugly between joists to reduce heat loss from below.

The result is a breathable, efficient, and comfortable home, retrofitted the right way.

“We use Sisalwool 50 and 100 on all of our jobs (including our own homes!) - once we worked with it, we knew there was no going back. This is the future of insulation.”