Listed Buildings can Improve by New Materials - Essay Example

?Topic: Listed buildings can improve by new materials Introduction A discussion on listed buildings in the UK-specific environment brings to light the conservation element of historic value of the listed buildings, which are historical buildings in the wider context. Listed buildings are crucial landmarks of national significance. Any attempt at improving the structure of listed buildings by new material is a debatable issue because of the historical importance given to listed buildings and impending risks to their sustainability in the future (Department for Communities and Local Government, 2006). Windows, for example, are the eyes of a building. Windows replacement in listed buildings, if not done benignly can harm the aesthetic sense of the whole area. Windows should be repaired in stead of totally replacing them. Traditional types of window designs should not be discarded at all. Preference in window replacement should be on retaining the traditional window or a ditto copy of the traditional window and discourage modern window or the use of double-glazed window in listed buildings. As an option, current windows should be draught strip or loaded with secondary glazing. The double-glazed units in UPVC, aluminium or timber frames not only affect the ambience but reduce the value of the property. Traditional buildings can not ‘breathe’ if draughts are removed encouraging condensation in the invisible parts of the building. Secondary glazing should be the right option to insulate the building in stead of double-glazing (Peak District National Park Authority, 2011). Compatibility of materials plays a crucial part in reducing decay of the building’s fabric or fittings. Materials need to be suitable to the situation of the building, as stated in Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations Materials and Workmanship that state: “Building work shall be carried out………… with adequate and proper materials which…………. Are appropriate for the circumstances in which they are used”. All efforts to make listed buildings energy efficient need to be technically workable with the current design of the building, particularly for the breathing requirement of the porous fabric. Whenever efforts are made to improve a listed building with new materials, building regulations never suggest technical risks of any type (English Heritage, 2010). Materials that go well in resemblance with the old materials need to be preferred as they add to the aesthetic unity of the building in the long as well as the short period of time. Impact of the new materials in no way should be harmful to the porous structure parts. Visibly and technical similar-looking materials can provide the same level of breathability under similar circumstances. Soft or porous materials such as paint, mortars, plasters and renders, the modern means of construction, react variously to air, moisture and design of the structure. Whenever starting an improvement of the building, its type of construction and its wear and tear over the time needs to be understood besides compatibility of the changes. Using modern alternatives or hard and strong materials into porous old construction should always be discouraged; it is a wrong trend, which can later on create problems such as using cement based mixes for plasters, renders and pointing would not be compatible in flexural power and permeability; it can cause risks such as salt migration and harm the building (English Heritage, 2010). All arguments against improving a structure with new materials stress on the breathability aspect for gaining long life and optimum performance from all old buildings. Permeability in new materials can fill that gap to help in the breathing of the old buildings where they are installed or fixed. Experiments on materials usage and techniques normally should not be encouraged and used sparingly because their long-term effects have not been substantiated yet. Some new synthetic or natural materials are still advisable if used tactfully for porous insulation for example such materials can strengthen the building and can be economical too (English Heritage, 2010). Literature on building materials carries permeability figures but the relevant data for old materials used in the buildings is deficient. It is because such materials cannot be tested in the lab. Situation in each building is distinct to be examined by the tools of human wisdom and experience only. While making a choice between additional breathability before and after the fixtures work, it is recommended to opt for the first choice as breathability cannot be installed once the work is complete. In the English climate, again improvement should be attempted from the interior of the old building as it is more difficult to evaporate water vapours from inside the building fabric than rain particles from the exterior (English Heritage, 2010). As per the Part L of the Building regulations amendments 2002, stress has been laid on creating a balance between energy conservation and building conservation to maintain the historic value of listed buildings. Alterations can be made to replace windows, doors and roof lights, floor and roof structures and external walls and their finishes (including plasterwork). Controversy arises when improvements are recommended to listed buildings to the limit of possibly making them energy-friendly on the one hand while general environment is to maintain the special traits of such buildings by undoing earlier unwanted changes in their construction to ‘making provisions enabling the fabric of historic buildings to “breathe” to control moisture and potential long term decay problems’. Without consulting the local planning authority’s conservation officer, no attempt should be made to structure these buildings as energy-efficient. As per the Technical Advisory note published in English Heritage in May 2002 (quoting from BS 7913, 19983), ‘in global environmental terms, the balance of advantage strongly favours the retention of existing building stock, particularly when performance in terms of energy consumption in use can be improved’. This argument in favour of retaining the current status of the listed buildings reinforces use of “embodied’ energy in materials of the buildings than the small energy required to heat and light it. The technical note favours holistic approach of energy saving by bringing improvements in the buildings through under-floor insulations or bettering the effectiveness of heating and lighting systems in stead of changing the historic windows. Any new improvement should not be against the traditional construction system wherein porous materials suit structural shifts, matching with the designs of air and moisture flow. Mismatch of this holistic flow can create defects that the so-called improvements recommend in the residential areas (Rodwell, 2009). The environment systems of listed buildings ensure their long life through ventilation by blocking compression, mould and decay while the sealing pattern of plastic-framed double-glazing does not allow breathing when insulating the structures. Improvements can be made in listed buildings for conserving energy from suspended timber floors via timber sash-and-case windows to lead-covered flat roofs. The technical note also supports the argument that moisture can be reduced through reduced heating levels and increased ventilation levels. At the same time materials such as timber shutters and lined curtains can insulate the buildings also. Professionals and the common man need to know that the conservation in energy and the building is not contradictory but upholds value for listed buildings (Rodwell, 2009). Conclusion The changes in the listed buildings are brought about by using new materials in stead of discarded ones. New materials, it is argued, are according to the changing times and therefore ‘honest’. New material can also give a traditional look like the brick, tile and stone. Such new material should be purchased from a local store as it will be available in plenty and would give a traditional look as well. In special cases if design of the building is modern, old materials can still serve the purpose by using in innovative ways. Modern materials may also suit in such conditions by making compounding use of them with the old materials (South Cambridgeshire District Council, 2011). In any case compatibility of the old materials with the new materials should not be ignored while improving the listed buildings. It ensures strength to the building and maintaining the traditional appeal of the listed buildings. References Department for Communities and Local Government, 2006. Best practice guidance on listed building prosecutions. London: Department for Communities and Local Government. Available from: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/listedbuildingprosecutions.pdf [Accessed 9 May 2011]. English Heritage, 2010. Energy efficiency and historic buildings. English Heritage. Available from: http://www.helm.org.uk/upload/pdf/ign_partl_buildingregs.pdf [Accessed 9 May 2011]. Peak District National Park Authority, 2011. Replacement windows. Peak District National Park Authority. Available from: http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/living-in/hb/windows.htm [Accessed 9 May 2011]. Rodwell, Dennis., 2009. Balancing energy conservation and building conservation. IHBC. Available from: http://www.ihbc.org.uk/context_archive/77/balacing/rodwell.htm [Accessed 9 May 2011]. South Cambridgeshire District Council, 2011. Listed buildings: works to or affecting the setting of supplementary planning document. South Cambridgeshire District Council. Available from: http://scambs.jdi-consult.net/ldf/readdoc.php?docid=183&chapter=8 [Accessed 9 May 2011]. Read More