21 Elm Avenue, Beeston, NG9 1BU.
|
The studio at our house replaced two derelict brick sheds and a carport with a corrugated plastic roof. Our aim was to create a self-contained space that could be used as a studio, or living quarters; so a sink with instant hot water and a shower room with lavatory were part of the design. All the bricks from the old sheds were recycled, and the tiles were reused for the studio roof. Its situation is not suitable for solar panels (protected trees and the main house shade it too much). The bike shelter used wooden pillars recycled from a trellis in the garden.
Although we knew it would be more expensive than a standard garden house, we wanted it to be as near zero carbon as possible. In fact it is just one step below Passivhaus standard; that was achieved by thickly insulated floor, walls and ceiling, and triple-glazed large window and doors. Air tightness was also important.
See below for more information, with the least expensive first and the number of £s giving a rough indication of cost. [Information provided October 2025] |
|
|
1. RAINWATER HARVESTING £
Rainwater drains into a reused wine barrel by the bike shelter and we use it for watering the garden. |
The rainwater barrel.
|
|
2. ROOF INSULATION ££
The whole upper structure of the studio was made from a timber frame kit, which was delivered in pre-cut parts. It was lined with boards inside and out and then filled with insulation made from shredded recycled newspaper that was blown in under pressure to fill all the gaps. The holes were taped to seal them. The thickness of the roof and wall insulation is 30 cm. |
View of the studio from the garden.
|
|
3. MECHANICAL VENTILATION WITH HEAT RECOVERY £££
We wanted a high level of heat recovery from the ventilation but we didn't need any ducts, because most of the space is one large room. So we have a smaller unit in the bathroom and a larger unit for the main room. They provide constant background ventilation and recover almost 90% of the heat that would otherwise be lost. The high level of heat recovery is only possible with good air tightness. The fans have intelligent controls with variable speed and are very quiet. They have a much higher level of heat recovery than many heat recovery fans. |
The main mechanical ventilator.
|
4. GREEN ROOF £££
We have a green central roof with skylights and with sedum, and a smaller green roof over the bike shelter at the front. It reduces rainwater runoff and provides some protection from both cold and hot weather.
We have a green central roof with skylights and with sedum, and a smaller green roof over the bike shelter at the front. It reduces rainwater runoff and provides some protection from both cold and hot weather.
|
5. TRIPLE GLAZING £££
All the windows and the skylights are triple-glazed to a high standard. As with the walls and roof, air tightness was important. |
Triple-glazed patio doors.
|
6. FLOOR INSULATION ££££
The whole floor and foundations are what is known as a "single insulated raft system with at least a 30% lower embodied CO2 impact". Instead of using trenches and a separate insulated ground floor we had a shallow depth excavated and a layer of compacted hardcore. Then there was a 25 cm layer of polystyrene-based insulation and a 20 cm thick concrete raft. We had edge upstands to help ensure continuity of the insulation from beneath the slab up to the base of the walls. The top of the concrete was polished to reveal the aggregate and then sealed to make the floor.
The whole floor and foundations are what is known as a "single insulated raft system with at least a 30% lower embodied CO2 impact". Instead of using trenches and a separate insulated ground floor we had a shallow depth excavated and a layer of compacted hardcore. Then there was a 25 cm layer of polystyrene-based insulation and a 20 cm thick concrete raft. We had edge upstands to help ensure continuity of the insulation from beneath the slab up to the base of the walls. The top of the concrete was polished to reveal the aggregate and then sealed to make the floor.
|
7. WALL INSULATION ££££
As with the roof, the walls were part of an integrated wood frame design and the space was filled with cellulose insulation in the form of recycled newspaper. By using wood and cellulose we sequestered carbon, which will then be stored for the lifetime of the building. Again the wall insulation is 30 cm thick. The wooden cladding is larch (cheaper than cedar but also long-lasting), lightly charred by the builder with a blowtorch to give a weathered effect. |
Larch cladding on a wall.
|
8. REUSED AND GREENER MATERIALS ££££
We had the pitched roof finished in plain tiles, which were reclaimed from the demolished outbuilding. We also reused the outbuilding's Edwardian turned timber posts and stone base pads to support the overhanging canopy at the front. We chose a reclaimed Belfast sink and larch for the wooden cladding.
We had the pitched roof finished in plain tiles, which were reclaimed from the demolished outbuilding. We also reused the outbuilding's Edwardian turned timber posts and stone base pads to support the overhanging canopy at the front. We chose a reclaimed Belfast sink and larch for the wooden cladding.
BENEFITS
The work we had done is so effective that no central heating is needed; the ventilation and heat recovery system stops it overheating in summer, and keeps it quite warm in winter - the most we have used is a small electric heater for a few hours in the coldest weather.
We had an airtightness test done and the result was 1.1 air change per hour at 50 Pascals and 0.15 air change per hour at 4 Pascals.
The work we had done is so effective that no central heating is needed; the ventilation and heat recovery system stops it overheating in summer, and keeps it quite warm in winter - the most we have used is a small electric heater for a few hours in the coldest weather.
We had an airtightness test done and the result was 1.1 air change per hour at 50 Pascals and 0.15 air change per hour at 4 Pascals.
LESSONS LEARNED
We don’t recommend having a green roof unless it’s easy to access, to allow for cleaning skylights etc.
We don’t recommend having a green roof unless it’s easy to access, to allow for cleaning skylights etc.
Disclaimer: Please note that EcoTrail-NG9 aims to provide information as accurately as possible but the information on this page has been provided by the property owner.
