Join us for a 5-day practical course where we will be applying wood fibre internal wall insulation and protecting with lime plastering. This is a sustainable way to improve your building’s thermal efficiency and must be applied with care and precision. We will be working on a Victorian semi-detached house, built in 1890 and last modernised in the 1960s. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain practical retrofit skills whilst working on a real-life project.

LOCATION

Stroud, Gloucestershire

After the course, participants will be able to (Learning Outcomes):

• Set out, cut and apply rigid internal wood fibre insulation (IWI)

• Detail around corners, at ceilings and floors

• Mix and apply lime plaster onto wood fibre

• Know about different types of lime and their various uses.

• Understand principles of retrofit, fabric first and building thermal performance

• Appreciate the benefits of Natural Fibre Insulation

• Basic DIY skills, safe tool use and managing your own IWI project

• Apply insulating lime plaster around chimney breasts

Learners will be applying internal insulation to a professional quality, ensuring that they leave this course with the confidence to tackle their own sustainable retrofit. Over the 5-days, you will put theory into practice, focusing on the tricky, real-world details. 

Who is this course for?

This course is equally suited to homeowners and DIYers who want the confidence to retrofit their own properties correctly, and building professionals looking to add natural fibre insulation and lime rendering to their skillset.

You will need to wear appropriate clothing for carrying out manual work that covers arms, legs and chest and strong, sturdy boots.

Pricing

We endeavour to make our courses and events affordable to all and have a limited number of subsidised places available on every course. The solidarity rate is for participants being sponsored through their work or higher earners. Subsidised places are limited and are intended for those who truly cannot afford the standard rate. We don't ask for any proof, but ask that you use your judgement when purchasing.

£495 - Sponsored / income over 30k rate

£395 - Individual rate

£295 - Subsidised rate

See full Terms and Conditions here.

Meet Your Trainers

Joanne has worked with lime plasters and mortars for 20 years on projects ranging from a 16th-century German Fachwerk Haus to listed stone buildings in the Black Mountains. A qualified AECB Carbonlite Retrofit Coordinator and SPAB member, she is currently collaborating with Ty-Mawr Lime on technical mix trials for heritage restorations. Students will benefit from her practical approach to building physics and her extensive history with lime and other traditional materials.

ACCOMMODATION:
It is up to participants to organise their own accommodation, and there are no camping facilities on-site. Here are some accommodation options gathered by the host: Tobacconist Farm Campsite (Camping); Upper Hill Farm (Camping); Oak & Ash and Thorn (Camping). There are plenty of AirBnBs in Brimscombe, Thrupp (1 mile) and along the valley to Stroud (2.9 miles). Other places you could look for accommodation are in the valley, up on Minchinhampton common, in Nailsworth and in Stroud. More options listed in the course info sheet shared with participants.

ACCESS:
Stroud Train station is 3 miles away. It is on the main line from London to Cheltenham. There are regular local buses from Stroud to Brimscome (10 min journey. National Express coaches run to Stroud (3 miles away) or Chalford (2 miles away). Brimscombe village is extremely hilly and there is very limited parking near the house. So we highly recommend getting public transport or sharing lifts. We'll connect course participants via a voluntary WhatsApp group in advance of the course, to facilitate ride-sharing.

Practical courses take place on construction sites, which often means participants will be walking on rough terrain or through spaces which pose accessibility issues. Those with reduced mobility or in wheelchairs should reach out to us for more information regarding the accessibility of the specific course site you'd like to join, and we can assess the options together.

BOOKING:
There are limited places on this course, and booking is essential. Please use the button below to pay and secure your place. Please note that for insurance reasons, all participants must be 16 or over. We look forward to meeting you on site, but if you have any questions ahead of attending, please email hello@schoolofnaturalbuilding.co.uk.

Other upcoming dates in the Retrofit Skills Series

All in Todmorden

🟠 5-day External Wall Insulation (EWI) and Lime Plastering Course: Wed 13th - Sun 17th May

🟠 5-day External Wall Insulation (EWI) and Lime Plastering Course: Wed 24th - Sun 28th June