Mineral blown-in insulation improves living comfort

Making existing buildings more sustainable often requires creativity and flexibility. This was also the case at the Rode Dorp in Baarn, where Bestisol Isolatie was asked to fill the existing cavity walls and the new roof sheathing of the renovated homes with blown-in mineral wool. The former, in particular, proved to be a challenge due to debris in the cavity. However, a suitable solution was found for that as well.

“As a regular subcontractor for Nijhuis Bouw Apeldoorn, we conducted an extensive study during the preliminary phase to explore the possibilities of cavity wall insulation,” says Yuksel Guven of Bestisol Isolatie. “Through cavity inspections, we determined for each home whether retrofitting insulation was feasible. Contamination of the cavity with mortar residue is a common problem in older homes. A specialized team from our company mapped out this contamination and marked the facades. Where necessary, the masonry was chiseled open in specific areas, debris was removed, and the openings were re-bricked. Only then could we blow in the insulation.”

Knauf’s mineral blow-in insulation was chosen for both the cavity walls and the roofs. In total, Bestisol Isolatie installed approximately 1,500 m2 of cavity wall insulation. “For the roofs on Marisstraat, covering about 2,300 m², the main challenge was accessibility,” says Guven. “With roof heights of up to 14 meters and non-standard constructions, standard renovation using roof panels was not an option. Consequently, new roof sheathing was installed, into which holes were drilled according to a specific pattern. We filled these holes with blown-in insulation, resulting in a 25 cm insulation layer.”

According to Guven, the project required constant coordination and flexibility. “Thanks to short lines of communication between the client and the contractors—including third parties—we were able to adapt quickly. If we couldn’t make progress on House A, we’d move on to another house or even a completely different project. We offer that flexibility, thanks in part to a healthy backlog of work. Combined with over 35 years of experience, this allows us to truly deliver added value in every sustainability project.”