When a stone cottage has been stripped back to bare walls, Summit Matters Ltd follows a structured, moisture-aware, energy-efficient process backed by our vetted suppliers, specialist trades, and long-standing partners.
This ensures high performance, durability, and full grant compliance.
1️⃣ Weather-Tight the Building (Windows & Doors)
Tasks
- Install either temporary units or final airtight windows/doors sourced through our trusted glazing partners – currently we find Munster Joinery the best at fulfilling our supply only needs (typically AluClad or Passive PVC suppliers depending on budget).
- Prepare and straighten stone reveals.
- Fit airtightness tapes supplied by our domestic go-to supplier SIGA where we are trained and certified installers.
- Ensure external seals remain breathable and lime-compatible.
Outcome
A stable internal environment so works can progress without exposure to the elements. If you need to install temporary frames and cover until your units arrive you can make these up with 3×2 and plywood or perspex sheeting. Simply leave the airtightness until the final units arrive.
2️⃣ Decide & Agree the Insulation Strategy
Wall Options (Summit Trusted Systems)
- Breathable internal insulation systems:
- Woodfibre boards + lime plaster (Naturheld & Baumit—via our insulation suppliers – Acara Concepts Ltd).
- Cork or hemp-lime plasters from reputable suppliers or partners. We have yet to experiment with hemp blocks and insulation ourselves even though we are in talks with Hemp Build Ireland on an ongoing basis about our projects.
- External wall insulation (if suitable or allowable): Woodfibre EWI systems from certified retrofit suppliers. This is ideal for mass concrete projects or more modern builds where the external render is not performing well. Wood fiber and a suitable render system from Baumit are our preferred methodologies.
Floor Options
- Limecrete floor build-ups using foam glass aggregate. This works exceptionally well in a traditional build project. Digging out a broken floor provided the ideal opportunity to introduce radon barriers and allow a build up of geotextil wrapped foamed glass as floor subbase and insulation layer in one.
Alternatively: an insulated concrete slab can work with a moisture-managed design. Not our preferred method, though sometimes it makes sense to leave existing floors in place IF they were replaced to modern standards recently.
Roof Insulation
Retrospectively insulating your roof can be tricky as you may be restricted with access without significantly undoing much of the existing roof. Again we prefer natural materials used as a complete system that wraps your home.
- Woodfibre, sheep’s wool, or mineral wool from our regular roofing-insulation vendors.
Outcome
A breathable, moisture-safe thermal envelope that protects the stone and maximises future comfort.
3️⃣ Heating System Design
Before any pipework goes in, Summit coordinates with our trusted heating engineers and system suppliers.
Tasks
- Heat loss calculations supplied through our M&E design partner. Decide between:
- Air-to-water heat pump (preferred for grants)
- High-efficiency boiler (budget or space-driven scenarios)
- UFH or high-output radiators supplied by our mechanical partners.
- Agree cylinder size, heat zones, and controls.
Outcome
A high-performing system correctly sized for an older stone building can also feature underfloor heating systems – if replacing the floor, we would highly recommend including the 1st fix pipework for UFH so you can always hook it up later if required.
4️⃣ Electric, Plumbing & Heating – First Fix
These tasks are generally carried out by Summit’s regular specialist subcontractors.
Tasks
- Water feeds and distribution lines.
- Heating pipework to radiators or UFH circuits.
- Waste pipe routing for bathrooms/kitchen.
- Ventilation ducting (MEV/MVHR) supplied via our mechanical ventilation supplier.
- Pipe burial or concealment planned around insulation build-ups.
- Electrical provision for lighting and power. We love projects where we can explore the possiblilty of off grid own generation systems. Our electrical consultant will guide and advice on how this can be achieved.
Outcome
All mechanical & electrical services are ready before walls and floors are closed.
5️⃣ Install Insulation (Walls, Floors, Roof)
Once you have completed your 1st fix utilities you can then start to address your insulation plan. Using Summit-approved breathable and airtight systems
Tasks
- Fit woodfibre / cork / hemp / lime-based internal insulation systems as per decisions made previously.
- Apply basecoat lime plaster from our lime partners.
- Complete airtightness detailing around windows, service penetrations, and ceilings.
- Install floor insulation and limecrete or insulated slab.
- Roof insulation fitted by our approved roofing subcontractors.
Outcome
The cottage becomes warm, sealed, and energy-efficient—critical before second fix.
6️⃣ Heating System Second Fix
Tasks
- Connect radiators or UFH manifolds.
- Install heat pump/boiler and commission with supplier support.
- Fit hot water cylinder and safety systems.
- Set up smart controls.
Outcome
The heating system delivers comfort and energy savings from day one.
7️⃣ Electrical & Plumbing Second Fix
Tasks
- Fit sanitaryware (sinks, toilets, showers).
- Install taps, traps, valves, and kitchen appliances.
- Connect ventilation grilles and extractor fans.
- Pressure-test and sign off.
- Connect lighting systems, sockets, cooking and provide certification for Grid connection.
8️⃣ Final Window & Door Adjustments
Tasks
- Install final high-performance units if temporary ones were used.
- Complete internal reveals using lime plaster.
- Carry out airtightness testing with our blower-door specialist.
🔧 Final Summary — Summit Matters Ltd Workflow
Our simple strategy follows a logical path for completing tasks. Planning everything in advance and preparing your calendar with tasks, timelines and milestones will help when organising sub contractors and suppliers. Project management is what we do!
- Weather-tight building using our glazing partners.
- Choose insulation strategy using our trusted insulation/lime suppliers.
- Heating system design with our M&E and heating partners.
- Electrical, Plumbing & heating first fix by Summit’s subcontractors.
- Install insulation & airtightness systems.
- Heating second fix & commissioning.
- Electrical & Plumbing second fix.
- Final window/door integration & airtightness check.
