Staged renovation of old farmhouse

Firstly, the clients established which tasks should be tackled immediately and which could be postponed until later. The energy-saving renovations stood at the very top of their list. As the roof had already been insulated in the 1990s, energy consultants instead concentrated on the façade and the windows. To begin with, insulating material was blown into the hollow layer between the double-skin masonry. However, before the windows on the ground floor and first floor could be renewed, the couple had to commit to an extensive re-construction of the ground floor. And so, step by step, the charming structure became their own personal dream house.

Along with light and visibility, energy efficiency was the key design requirement when choosing the windows.Throughout the property, the clients opted for white, highly thermally-insulated PVC-U windows and doors from Schüco with triple glazing. The profile construction used for the windows was Schüco LivIng 82 AS. With a basic depth of 82 mm, the 7-chamber system with a rebate gasket achieves superb thermal insulation values.The replacement of the windows was quick and uncomplicated. To match the original appearance of the house, the majority of the façade openings retained their original size and the new windows were designed with surface-applied glazing bars in keeping with the look of the old windows.

The masonry openings were expanded accordingly for the south-facing panoramic units, a lift-and-slide door and a fixed light. Here, the clients purposely decided against the glazing bar design, so that nothing interrupts the view to the outside. The new lift-and-slide door from the Schüco LivIngSlide Panorama construction also allows barrier-free access from the living room to the terrace. Fitted with a wide window sill seat, the large panoramic fixed light in the dining room was designed as a quiet space with views across the garden.

Inside the property, the light-flooded rooms, underfloor heating laid on new screed and oak parquet flooring create comfort and cosiness. In the living and dining areas, reclaimed dark-wood ceiling beams create a deliberate contrast to the otherwise light spaces. At the same time, they serve as visual connecting elements to the new thermally-insulated double-leaf entrance door which, just like the old existing door, is also made of wood.

After almost two and a half years of reconstruction and modernisation work, the clients are now able to enjoy their new home. With the newly designed bathroom, a guest WC, the bedroom with a dressing room, a small office and the kitchen area with the adjoining dining and living room, the ground floor currently offers more than enough space for the couple. The interior construction on the first floor will take place when required. The second upper floor with pointed gable area, has been rented out. The replacement of the windows in this rented residential space and a new roof covering are part of the medium-term renovation plan. However, in the short-term, additional energy-efficient renovation work is planned, which aims to further reduce the carbon footprint of the building: The former oil-fired heating will be replaced with a heat pump. This will then be powered by electricity from a PV system which has already been installed on the property.