Best fit for
Hybrid construction housing stock
Case Study Overview
- Location
- Dovehouse Fields, Ponesfield Road, Leyfields — Lichfield, Staffordshire
- Client
- Bromford Housing Association
- Property Type
- Hybrid construction with narrow cavity ground floor and solid wall first floor
- Number of Properties
- Approximately 50 homes
- Delivery Year
- 2021, during pandemic lockdowns
- EWI System
- Permarock — 90mm EPS-Premium insulation
- Finish
- Magnolia silicone textured render
- Pre-installation EPC
- Band E (51) / Band F
- Post-installation EPC
- Band C (72)
- U-value improvement
- 0.33 W/m²K reduced to 0.21 W/m²K
- Customer satisfaction
- 84% rated ease of home improvement 10/10
Who this case study helps
This case study is most useful for homeowners in Lichfield or similar Midlands areas who are comparing external wall insulation for hybrid construction housing stock and want real proof of how the recommendation translates into a finished result.
Local relevance
Lichfield
Main service theme
external wall insulation
Lichfield EWI Programme
The challenge
Bromford needed to improve a large stock of older homes that sat below legal EPC thresholds and had a mix of unusual construction issues.
The programme involved around 50 properties in Lichfield that were EPC rated E or F, placing them below the minimum standard required for many tenancies. Several had badly installed cavity insulation, internal damp issues, and hybrid construction that made conventional treatment more complicated.
The works also had to be delivered through COVID-19 restrictions, while coordinating closely with residents and maintaining a consistent specification across the portfolio.
All properties were below the desired EPC threshold for future letting.
The homes combined narrow cavity walls at ground floor level with solid walls above.
Previous cavity insulation defects had contributed to damp and condensation issues.
Some homes were even being considered for disposal instead of retention.
The programme had to be managed through pandemic-era restrictions.
Lichfield EWI Programme
The solution
Rockwarm delivered one repeatable external wall insulation specification across the portfolio to simplify delivery and provide consistent performance at scale.
90mm EPS-Premium insulation system
A single Permarock specification was used across all homes, reducing U-values from 0.33 W/m²K to 0.21 W/m²K and improving thermal efficiency significantly.
Magnolia silicone textured render
A breathable, self-cleaning, algae-resistant silicone render gave the homes a fresh appearance and a durable weatherproof finish with long service life.
One solution for hybrid construction
Wrapping the whole building eliminated the thermal weakness created by the narrow-cavity-plus-solid-wall construction without needing separate wall-by-wall treatments.
Resident extras while scaffolding was in place
Optional additions such as extractor fans, new outside taps, and utility-box treatments helped improve the resident experience while access was available.
Lichfield EWI Programme
Installation process
Each property followed a streamlined three-stage process and was typically completed within two to three weeks.
Stage 1
Boarding
The 90mm EPS-Premium boards were fixed across all external walls to create a single continuous thermal layer around each home.
Stage 2
Base coat
A reinforced base coat provided the structural substrate for the final decorative finish and improved impact resistance.
Stage 3
Top coat
The final magnolia silicone render was applied to modernise the appearance and complete the protective external envelope.
Lichfield EWI Programme
The results
The programme delivered measurable energy-performance gains, strong resident feedback, and wider commercial benefits for the housing stock.
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BeforeAfter
Drag the slider to compare the transformation.
Every property improved from EPC band E or F up to band C.
The U-value reduction from 0.33 to 0.21 W/m²K materially reduced heat loss through the walls.
84% rated ease of home improvement 10/10 and 92% rated communication as excellent.
Damp and condensation issues were addressed by warming internal wall surfaces rather than only treating symptoms.
The programme helped retain homes that had previously been considered for disposal and improved street-level appearance across the estate.
Case study gallery
Lichfield EWI Programme
Summary
The 2021 Lichfield programme is a strong example of how external wall insulation can future-proof difficult housing stock at scale. The portfolio moved from below-legal EPC ratings to band C, resident satisfaction stayed high, and the homes gained a more durable, lower-maintenance exterior despite the delivery challenges of lockdown conditions.
What next?
Use these routes to move from a single project story into the most useful next comparison. The first group keeps you close to the right service, local coverage, and wider proof. The second group helps you keep researching before you decide whether to book a survey.
Service, place, and proof
Explore external wall insulation
Compare the core service page if you want to see where this solution fits, how it works, and what to expect next.
Check coverage in Lichfield
Use the matching local landing page to judge whether Rockwarm regularly works on homes like yours nearby.
Read customer reviews
Add a broader layer of homeowner proof beyond this single project story.
Browse more case studies
Compare other property types, finishes, and project decisions before you book a survey.
Useful reading before you decide
Read the solid wall insulation guide
Understand why solid-wall homes behave differently and when external insulation is usually the best fit.
See what happens during EWI installation
Use the installation guide if you want to know what the process looks like before booking a survey.
Check the common EWI myths
Clear up the usual doubts around breathability, disruption, planning, and appearance.
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