Flood Resilience, Renovation and Floor Insulation: Innovative Floor Solutions for a Farmhouse in Suffolk
In the tranquil heart of rural Suffolk, Poplar Farmhouse stood as a testament to rural architecture, its brickwork and high ceilings radiating character. When new owners acquired this detached property in 2023, they anticipated only modest updates: a new roof, a septic tank, and gradual upgrades in line with the house's heritage. However, nature had other plans. Just three months after the keys changed hands, Storm Babet swept across the region, subjecting the area to rainfall and flooding unseen in living memory. The farmhouse, previously unscathed by local weather, found itself at the frontline of the deluge. Water surged across the garden and infiltrated the ground floor, rendering 75% of the downstairs space uninhabitable. Faced with extensive water damage, the owners decided to turn adversity into opportunity, reimagining the property's resilience for the decades ahead.
The renovation journey of Poplar Farmhouse is not just about restoring a home; it's about embracing modern materials and technical expertise to create a living space that harmonises with the environment. From the careful selection of FoamGlass FG40 for its superior drainage and insulation properties to the meticulous installation process, every step was taken with an eye towards securing the home against future floods and fostering a healthier living environment.
Join us as we explore the remarkable transformation of Poplar Farmhouse, where history meets innovation, and resilience paves the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.
The Problem
The two front living rooms contained the original suspended floors with air bricks beneath them, and as the water spread across the garden it flooded in through these air bricks, filling the void and finishing 6cm above floor level. The main hallway was red and black Victorian quarry tiles on old concrete and the shower room and toilet had been floored with 1960s concrete and linoleum. All required removal and remediation.
The Solution
Consulting an architect and structural engineer, UK manufactured FoamGlass FG40, was deemed to be the best solution, for its key properties of drainage, insulation and structural integrity. The eco-friendly credentials were also appealing to the homeowners as they try to create a healthy home for the future.
Foamed Glass UK's, FoamGlass FG40, was selected for this project for the exceptional strength performance together with its lightweight density and insulation properties.
FoamGlass FG40 Properties:
Delivery
The option to deliver in bulk, which was more manageable for the customer on site, was an added feature.
Install
A depth of 30cm of FoamGlass FG40 was specified, which in a house with minimal foundations, required the floors to be carefully dug out.
Once the concrete floors had been broken up and removed, the remaining earth was taken down to the specified depth using a mini digger and laser. A significant margin was maintained around all walls, as well as digging on a 45-degree angle to ensure the foundations were unharmed.
Non-woven geotextile was laid into all rooms, allowing a small excess above the foamglass, and it was ready for the foamglass to be installed.
Lightweight and High Strength, Faster Construction Process
FoamGlass FG40 was installed, using multiple wheelie bins to tip the product into each room in an effective bulk manoeuvre, made easier by the ultra-lightweight nature of the Foam Glass product.
The product was raked to spread it level throughout the rooms, then compacted using a whacker plate after every 10cm depth of material. Starting on the outside edge of each room, the whacker plate was driven in reducing circles to help prevent build up on the outer edges.
Excellent Drainage & Filtration, Superior Thermal Insulation
Once laid, the foamglass was topped with another layer of non-woven geotextile creating a parcel of aggregate.
Finished Floor, Environmentally Friendly
This was covered with a stainless-steel grid, ready for underfloor heating pipes to be installed a few days later. Finally followed by cork around all wall edges and 10cm of limecrete, this has created a vapour permeable and insulated floor through all layers.
The Benefits
By using Foamed Glass UK's, Foam Glass FG40, it will ensure that the house is able to breathe, thus preventing dampness, and if any water ingress occurs in future, it will be able to drain away naturally, resulting in minimal, if any, damage to the property.
The homeowners are taking a belt and braces approach and have also installed a flood wall to eliminate water in the first instance, but the new flooring structure will back this up, as well as offering excellent insulation for a much warmer home
Feedback from the home owner, Frances Fleming: "The foamed glass was so easy to handle with being lightweight. The installation process happened quickly and simply, once the floors were dug to the appropriate levels."
About Foamed Glass UK LTD: Our Story: Foamed Glass UK Ltd was founded in 2024 as part of the Thomas Armstrong Group, a leader in the construction industry with a legacy of excellence and innovation. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped to manufacture foamed glass aggregate, a versatile and eco-friendly material used in various construction applications.
Located in the UK, our modern production plant utilises advanced technology to recycle post-consumer glass into high-performance foamed glass aggregate. This material is lightweight, durable, and provides superior thermal insulation, making it ideal for infrastructure, building construction, and environmental projects.
Want to know more about the uses of Foam Glass Lightweight Aggregate: Sales, Quotes, Specification & Material Enquiries Contact us: Technical.enquiries@foamed-glass.uk