CASE STUDY: Transforming a 350-Year-Old Farmhouse While Preserving Heritage

Project Overview

Cobalt Carbon Free was invited to work on a beautiful 350-year-old farmhouse in Cropwell Butler, Nottinghamshire. The homeowner, Mike Dibley, approached us for advice on resolving persistent cold and chronic damp issues affecting the original, older part of the property, which was noticeably colder than the newer extensions. After 18 years of ownership and multiple unsuccessful attempts with other contractors, Mike needed a solution that would finally eliminate the damp while respecting the building's historic character.​

Initial Assessment: Uncovering the Root Causes

During our comprehensive assessment, we discovered that multiple interconnected issues were contributing to the property's problems. The building's ageing structure, failing roofline, and poor drainage due to its low position on the land were all contributing to rising and penetrating damp. The solid walls of the property had poor thermal performance, making it not only difficult and costly to heat but uncomfortable to live in.​

Crucially, unlike previous contractors who had focused solely on damp-proofing, our whole-house approach revealed that the inadequate guttering was allowing water to pour over during heavy rainfall, saturating the clay beneath the house. With no proper foundations, this water was working its way up through the inner walls, a problem that could never be solved without addressing the roof and drainage systems.​

When our engineers stripped the roof, we invited Mike up onto the scaffolding to see the extent of the damage firsthand. Rotten timber joists, sagging throughout, and visible water tracks down the inner walls between bricks confirmed our diagnosis. Previous contractors had never even examined the roof as a potential source of the damp problem.​

The Solution: Integrated Roof, Wall, and Drainage Upgrade

Our recommendation was a coordinated approach addressing all contributing factors simultaneously.​

Roof Overhaul

The roof required a complete rebuild. We replaced damaged timber joists, re-straightened sagging sections, and implemented a warm roof construction using high-performance insulation boards to dramatically improve thermal efficiency. We replaced damaged tiles, re-bedded ridges, renovated the chimney stacks, making them look like new, and installed new powder-coated aluminium guttering sized correctly to handle heavy rainfall. This comprehensive roof transformation ensured the structure would be weather-tight and thermally efficient for decades to come

.​

External Wall Insulation

We installed External Wall Insulation (EWI) around the entire property to provide weatherproofing and significantly improve thermal performance. We used 70mm phenolic boards with a silicone-enhanced render, designed to match the existing finish of the newer extensions. The walls were stripped to bare brick, thoroughly cleaned, sealed, insulated, resealed, and rendered.​

Drainage System

To address the property's low position and the risk of rising damp, we installed a complete new drainage system around the entire building, ensuring water would be directed away from the foundations rather than saturating the ground beneath.​

The Challenge: Navigating Conservation Requirements

As the farmhouse is located in a conservation area and identified as a positive building contributing to the area's character, we had to work closely with local conservation and planning authorities. The conservation officer presented significant challenges, eventually insisting we document the brick pattern of the walls and target insulation fixings only into mortar joints

.​

Our challenge was to ensure our work preserved the aesthetics of the original building while modernising it. We reformed all of the architectural brick features on top of the insulation system and embedded into the render: dentil course brickwork, brick raised string courses at high level and to the apex on the gable end, stone window cills, and decorative brick soldier arches above the windows. Our goal was to replicate the historic and period style of the building so thoroughly that you couldn't tell the difference between how it looked before the work began and how it looked afterward.​

Throughout the project, we maintained close communication with Mike, incorporating his feedback and ensuring the final outcome aligned with his vision.​

Results: Modern Performance, Heritage Character

The project successfully addressed all of Mike's concerns, improving both energy efficiency and the building's aesthetic appeal while meeting all conservation and planning requirements. The finished farmhouse now not only looks fantastic but also exceeds modern building regulations for energy efficiency—quite the accomplishment for a property that has stood for over 350 years.​

The chronic damp that had plagued the property for 18 years has been eliminated by addressing the root causes: failing roof structure, inadequate drainage, and poor thermal performance. The home is now warm, comfortable, and protected from the elements.​

We have been commended numerous times on the quality, style, and commitment to the heritage of the building. The work demonstrates that even the oldest, most challenging properties can achieve modern energy performance standards without compromising their historic character when the right approach is taken.​

Before and After: A Visual Transformation

Before: The original farmhouse showed its age with deteriorating render, damp-stained walls, and a failing roofline. The property's poor thermal performance made it cold and uncomfortable, while inadequate drainage contributed to persistent moisture problems.

During Construction: Our team worked meticulously under full scaffolding, stripping the walls to bare brick, rebuilding the roof structure, and installing high-performance insulation systems while maintaining close coordination with conservation authorities.

After: The completed transformation preserves every period detail, from the decorative brick soldier arches above windows to the dentil course brickwork and raised string courses at high level. The rendered finish matches the newer extensions seamlessly, while the rebuilt chimneys and new guttering complete the restoration. You genuinely cannot tell the building has been wrapped in modern insulation, it looks exactly as it did 350 years ago, but now performs to 21st-century standards.

Client Testimonial

"Unlike either of the two damp proof companies we have used previously, Mike was totally thorough in his approach and took plenty of time to study all our issues. His knowledge and expertise were immediately clear to see... The entire roof was superbly rebuilt, re-straightened, some joists replaced and insulated throughout. They even repointed all the chimneys that now look like new. Absolutely brilliant work... I would be only too happy to recommend this company unconditionally. Without doubt, they have got to be one of the very best contractors I have ever had the pleasure of commissioning. Thank you, Cobalt, from the bottom of my heart."

— Mike Dibley, Homeowner​

Key Takeaways

This project demonstrates Cobalt Carbon Free's whole-house approach in action. By identifying interconnected issues, roof failure, poor drainage, and inadequate insulation, and addressing them together rather than in isolation, we delivered a solution that previous contractors had missed for nearly two decades. Our expertise in heritage properties ensured that modern energy performance could be achieved while preserving and even enhancing the building's 350-year-old character.​

For a warmer, more energy-efficient home that's healthier, quieter, and kinder to the environment, contact Cobalt Carbon Free today to find out how we can help transform your home with our high-quality, heritage-sensitive solutions.