Cyprus-Forum.com

[Labarum]

I have a 1950s bungalow in Nicosia with a Roman tile roof. There is no felt under the tiles. The plaster ceilings are applied to rattan that is nailed to the underside of the rafters. I guess this was cheaper that the British lath and plaster routine given that plasterboard was probably unavailable in Cyprus in the early 50s.

Is fibreglass roof insulation available in Nicosia? What other options are there?

The walls of the bungalow are very thick but the heat loss or gain winter and summer must be very significant. What is recommended in Cyprus to upgrade a building of that age. In UK government grants are available to insulate properties, but I guess not in Cyprus.

The bungalow has some split unit aircon units, and off peak electric storage heaters for background heating in the cold months. I am guessing a large propane tank would run a couple of gas fire with balanced flues to heat the principle living rooms, heat the hot water and run the cooker.

Apologies for asking such simple questions, but I am considering options even before arriving in Cyprus, and research at a distance is not so easy.

Are there any English language websites that help in the area of building maintenance and restoration?

[devil]

This is a big problem in this country. At least your window frames are probably not aluminium profile!

The most economical heating you can use is to run your storage heating, which should be sufficient for all but the very coldest weather and add heating from the aircon units for topping up the temperature. This is exactly what we do, although we also have a good wood-burning fireplace, more psychological than efficient, as well.

We have two sets of neighbours who have installed oil-fired central heating in houses of similar size and their fuel bills are more than twice what we pay for electricity in the winter. I would imagine LPG would be even more expensive in this country.

Be very careful with insulation: I know one person who did all that was recommended and was then plagued with condensation, due to rising damp. After a couple of years, paint was blistering off the inside walls. Very few houses here have damp courses.

[Sotos]

At least your window frames are probably not aluminium profile!

Whats wrong with aluminum?

[devil]

Aluminium is an excellent heat conductor. Any difference in temperature between inside and outside will be lowered drastically with aluminium frames. They are even forbidden in some countries because it is THE best way to lose heat in the winter. You have possibly seen the infra-red photos of buildings to show heat losses. One such photo that I saw had bright red lines round each window: double-glazing is almost superfluous in aluminium frames!

[Sotos]

And what is the alternative? Wood rots. Iron rusts. Stainless steal?

[Kent]

And what is the alternative? Wood rots. Iron rusts. Stainless steal?

UPVC is most common

[Sotos]

What is UPC? Plastic?

[Cyprus Vending]

Hi Sotos

Have a look at this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upvc

[Get Real!]

The walls of the bungalow are very thick but the heat loss or gain winter and summer must be very significant. What is recommended in Cyprus to upgrade a building of that age. In UK government grants are available to insulate properties, but I guess not in Cyprus.

http://www.mcit.gov.cy/mcit/mcit.nsf/dm ... enDocument

http://www.mcit.gov.cy/mcit/mcit.nsf/Al ... enDocument

http://www.mcit.gov.cy/mcit/mcit.nsf/dm ... n?OpenForm

http://www.cie.org.cy/homeeng.htm