At Summit Matters Ltd, we believe that quality craftsmanship isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. As specialists in derelict home renovations, we understand that every project is an investment, not just in a property, but in its future value, safety, and longevity. That’s why we stand by our principle: “We’d rather explain the price of …
Read more “We’d Rather Explain the Price of Excellence than the Cost of Poor Work”
When upgrading older homes, one of the most effective ways to improve comfort and energy performance is by applying external wall insulation (EWI). Unlike internal insulation, which reduces room sizes and can leave cold masonry behind the insulation layer, external insulation places the thermal envelope on the outside of the house. This means the existing …
Read more “External Insulation & Thermal Mass Properties of Solid Wall Buildings”
Ireland’s housing landscape is shifting again, and for anyone who owns a vacant or derelict property, the changes are good news. Alongside the existing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG), the Government has announced new proposals for 2025 aimed at accelerating the return of empty homes — and even empty commercial buildings — back into productive …
Read more “New 2025 Housing Grants: What’s Changing — And What It Means for Vacant Property Owners”
Many Irish homeowners renovating old stone-built houses want to make them warmer and more energy-efficient — but airtightness can be a confusing topic. Traditional stone walls built with lime mortar behave very differently from modern block or timber-frame construction, so they need a more sensitive approach. At Summit Matters Ltd, we specialise in renovating older …
Read more “Airtightness in Old Stone Houses in Ireland: How to Improve Without Harming Your Home”
Great question and an easy one to answer. No. Getting a builder’s quote for your grant doesn’t tie you to that builder. It’s just to show the grant body what the work will cost. That said, it really helps if your quote comes from someone who knows the grant system. At Summit Group, we help …
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.
When people hear the term sustainable construction, they often think of “eco-friendly” or “green” building. But for us at Summit Matters Ltd, it’s about something bigger and more practical: building and renovating homes in a way that makes them efficient, durable, comfortable, and future-proof, while also respecting the environment. Building Smarter, Not Just Greener Sustainable …
When comparing insulation options, PIR (polyisocyanurate) often looks cheaper upfront. But when we step back and look at the whole picture over a building’s lifetime, woodfiber consistently comes out ahead. Here’s why. 1. True Cost Over Time PIR boards are thin and affordable per square metre, but the story doesn’t end with the purchase price. …
Read more “Why We Prefer Woodfiber Insulation (Not Just for Sustainability)”
If you’ve been trying to get hold of a builder lately, you might be wondering if we’ve all gone into hiding. Calls aren’t getting returned, quotes are taking ages, and everyone seems just a bit too busy. Trust me — we’re not ignoring you. This time of year just gets a little… hectic. Here’s why:
For anyone owning or renovating an older home in Ireland, few words trigger more anxiety than rising damp. It’s commonly blamed for flaking plaster, musty smells, and crumbling skirting boards. But is rising damp really the silent destroyer it’s made out to be? Or is it a misunderstood symptom of deeper issues — often made …
Read more “Rising Damp: Is It As Big a Problem As We’re Told?”
