How can we insulate our lath and plaster walls? We recently recorded a talk and Q&A on the difficulties insulating traditional lath & plaster walls, with architect Chris Morgan of John Gilbert Architects.
Homeowners in Glasgow want to take action to improve heating efficiency, but traditional construction such as lath & plaster walls and ornate cornices make insulating tricky. One solution is to insulate behind the lath & plaster, such as with spray foam or bonded beads – but these methods carry serious risks, sometimes leading to damp and rot.
Loco Home Retrofit CIC is partnering with John Gilbert Architects for a 2-part series to help navigate this dilemma. In this first session, we will hear from Chris Morgan, director of John Gilbert Architects, who will cover some of the critical risks to successful cavity insulation.
What Is Retrofit?
Retrofitting—the process of upgrading an existing building to improve how they feel and improving energy performance. When we talk about home retrofit, we mean fitting new energy efficiency measures and technology into your home, such as additional insulation, underfloor heating or a heat pump. This is to achieve better energy efficiency – which means lower…
How to Retrofit Your Glasgow Home: A Guide to Lower Bills and Net-Zero Living
Glasgow is at a turning point. With a goal to reach Net-Zero by 2030, our city’s iconic but drafty sandstone tenements and gas-heated homes need a massive upgrade. Currently, 82% of Glasgow homes rely on gas, and 35% of our neighbors are facing fuel poverty. The Glasgow Housing Retrofit Position Statement (2025) highlights a clear…
Keeping the Heat in: A Realist's Guide to Lowering Scottish Energy Bills
Let’s be honest. Living in Scotland means we’re often fighting a losing battle against the weather. We have some of the least efficient housing in Europe, and when you combine 100-year-old stone walls with a damp, freezing winter, your heating bill starts to look like a phone number (or you are under-heating your home and…
Inspired by Guy Martin's home without bills?
If you’ve watched Guy Martin’s Home Without Bills on Channel 4 on Monday evening, you’ll have witnessed how an existing home can be transformed and made more efficient. If you’re based in Scotland and thinking about making your home more efficient, Loco Home Retrofit is a great place to start! Hear from our Founder, Chris…
ScotGov shouldn't Be Waiting for Westminster to take action on cold homes
Chris Carus, Managing Director, Loco Home Retrofit CIC January has seen householders across Scotland digging themselves out of snowdrifts. While layering up against the chill, I’m been waiting for the imminent release of Westminster’s Warm Homes Plan. This plan which will show how they will make homes warmer across Britain. Most of it will apply to England…
How To Heat your Home Efficiently: The Ultimate Guide To Lowering Bills
There are many factors that affect how much it costs to heat a home. We explain some of the best ways to be comfortable and save money based on our experience with hundreds of customers and input from our 300 members. We’ve split this guide into two sections. First, we’ll cover how to make heat…