stone wall insulation (internal)?

[Anonymous]

I have an old cottage (circa 1470) with stone walls. Internally the walls have previously been painted and show the beauty of the natural stone. Does anyone know of a coating which could be applied to stone walls of this type to help with thermal insulation and cut down on the formation of condensation ? I dont want to line the walls since clearly that would destroy the character of the property.

 

[Anonymous]

How does painting show the beauty of the natural stone?

 

[Anonymous]

To be honest exposed stonework is hardly a traditional finish in a cottage.
I suspect that the condensation is exacerbated by some sort of impervious internal paint eg vinyl emulsion. Appropriately decorated lime plaster will absorb condensation and also release the moisture as the surface warms. This is a BIG subject but I would also look at ventilation etc.
Remember that such walls behave totally differently to modern cavity construction. Think of them as big storage radiators. A CONSTANT low level of heating (perhaps an Aga) is the answer in such buildings.
In all the years I have spent working on such buildings I have never seen a new 'wonder product' that worked. These expensive solutions normally make matters worse rather than better. Mike.

 

[Anonymous]

I was wondering that, too, Evelyn!

Jaqy

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that. You are correct, previous owners seem to have put on many layers of paint, some gloss some vinyl emulsion. Background heating at present by storage heaters. Have installed extraction in kitchen and am investigating Drimaster 2000 Positive Input Ventilation. Meanwhile running dehumidifier but only down to 70% for fear of cracking plaster and causing other issues. Stripping back the stone and replastering with correct finish sounds like a big job that should be undertaken by a specialist, but I would like to get it done, perhaps a bit at a time!