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A-RATED BUILD vs TRADITIONAL BUILD

A-RATED BUILD

Main wall construction
Insulated brick wall

After laying the brickwork, these walls are insulated externally:
  • Option of wall thickness which ranges from 290mm to 380mm to 440mm
  • Different sizes give different energy ratings.
  • External render is a 10mm to 1cm waterproof layer which is available in various colours and finishes. Self-cleaning and jet-washable for low maintenance. No need to be painted – only needs to be jet-washed once every five years
  • Fully weather resistant
  • Mould resistant
  • High energy rating saving on bills
  • Low maintenance saving on costs

TRADITIONAL BUILD

Main wall construction
Cavity wall

Built with 100mm brick or 100mm rendered block on external side:
  • Double wall of 100mm each with cavity in the middle
  • Cavity walls cannot give an A0-energy rating – this type of build is usually B, C or D rated on its BER certificate.
  • Rain and water can penetrate the external layer of the cavity wall
  • Designed to allow water to drip down the interior of the cavity and out the weep holes in the exterior wall
  • Insulation gets wet resulting in reduced performance
  • Interior wall is usually a lightweight or medium density block of 100mm
  • Not fully weather resistant
  • Not mould resistant
  • Lower energy rating so higher bills
  • Higher maintenance so increased waterproofing and painting costs
Ground floor construction
Solid insulated concrete:
  • Durable and solid
  • No maintenance required
  • Greatly reduced sound transmission
  • Insulation provides high energy rating and lower bills
Sits on hardcore and compacted soil:
  • Solid compacted soil is more stable and cannot house vermin
  • Pipework, electrics and underfloor heating are all built into the screed
  • No movement plus no vermin
Ground floor construction
Timber floor:
  • Can attract insects
  • Needs more maintenance
  • Can creak when you walk
  • Void is ventilated and allows heat loss, resulting in higher energy bills
Suspended over underground void:
  • Void can provide a haven for insects and vermin
  • Void contains plumbing and gas pipes as well as electrics
  • Movement or shaking plus vermin can lead to problems with your pipes and services
1st, 2nd,3rd floor construction
Solid insulated concrete:
  • Durable and solid
  • No maintenance required
  • Great insulation between floors so you can heat just one floor efficiently
  • No noise when you walk
  • No leaking between floors
1st, 2nd,3rd floor construction
Joists with chipboard or boards on top:
  • Can attract insects
  • Needs more maintenance
  • Poor insulation between floors so heat can escape between floors and incur higher energy bills
  • Can creak when you walk – people downstairs can hear those upstairs
  • If an upstairs bathroom leaks, it can cause damage downstairs
Partition wall
Solid brick – which is plastered and painted:
  • Solid and stable
  • Easy to hang heavy items such as mirrors, shelving, TVs, etc.
  • Noise does not travel through the wall easily
  • Heat does not travel through the wall saving heating bills
Partition wall
Timber frame or metal stud walls fitted with plasterboard – plastered and painted:
  • Hard to hang heavy items such as mirrors, shelving, TVs, etc.
  • Noise travels through the partition easily
  • Heat travels more easily through the partition, resulting in higher bills
Stairs
Solid reinforced concrete:
  • Feels more solid when climbing
  • No noise when climbing
  • Durable
Stairs
Timber stairs:
  • Feels more flimsy when climbing
  • Noise when climbing
  • Less durable
Lintels
Pre-insulated and pre-fabricated lintel:
  • Energy efficient so saves on bills
  • Window lintels can be fitted with an external blind for greater security as well as protection against extreme weather and heat (and even bulletproof, at an additional cost)
Lintels
Usually reinforced concrete or insulated metal:
  • Less energy efficient
  • No option for external blinds to be fitted
Roofing
Similar construction to traditional build

This is the only area that an A0-rated home uses timber:
  • Dry-fit components
  • Roof tiles come in different options and colours
Roofing
Wooden joists support, breathable membrane, which is battened over and then laid with roof tiles:
  • Components such as ridges and valleys are still mostly fitted on mortar beddings
Guttering
Galvanised metal or copper gutters
  • Long lifespan and long guarantee
  • No maintenance required
Guttering
Mainly plastic guttering
  • Shorter lifespan and guarantee
  • Repair and maintenance required