Review of Core Conservation Ltd – Nominated for the Best Insulation Supplier 2020 Industry Award

Core Conservation Ltd is one of those innovative companies whose solutions need to be tried to see they are "that good"! Those who have tried them gave great reviews about Core Conservation, the products and the team, which got the company this award nomination.

Reviewing the Activity of Core Conservation

The company has been supplying non-invasive and breathable insulation and damp proofing solutions for old and listed buildings since 2013.

The products encompass a blend of traditional solutions (such as Roman mortars and Venetian lime plasters) and innovative non-invasive technologies (such as the Magnetic DPC or water-repellent breathable surface protection nano-technology products), suitable for old buildings. Most of these solutions have never been present on the UK marketplace, and just like anything new, it takes time to become known, accepted and widely used. 

Due to their hard work Core Conservation has been nominated - alongside five other companies such as Baumit or SecilTEK - for The Best Insulation Supplier 2020 Industry Award.

You can vote here:
https://www.futureevents.uk/hbrindustryawards/awardsshortlist

A Brief Review of the History of Core Conservation Ltd

Core conservation has been founded by two old building enthusiasts, Val Juhasz and Mick Gasz. While working throughout Europe they have gathered plenty of insight into many technologies and workable solutions from other countries that were not yet available in the UK.   

There was a lot of emphasis in dealing with old and listed buildings as non-invasively as possible. The company started off with providing 100% non-invasive rising damp solutions, to which later further products and services have been added.

There was a constant need from old building owners for breathable water-proofing solutions - two very conflicting concepts - in order to deal with high salinity environments in seaside cottages, old farm buildings or chimney / fireplace areas. We have researched the problem and came across some of the previously lost Roman waterproofing technology. We have teamed up with MGN Italy, one of the main suppliers of building conservation products for Venice in order to bring this traditional technology to the UK in form of Roman waterproofing and Venetian lime plasters.

Having a chat with one of Savills Directors, we have been told that one of their main difficulties they face is how to bring up to 21st century standards old, thick, often rubble-infilled solid stone walls. How to get them dry and insulate them while allowing the wall to breathe. We looked into this too and now we can turn thick stone walls dry, and make them warm with our lime-based breathable thermal insulation, reaching modern 21st century thermal insulating characteristics.

Core Conservation Serving Churches, Councils and Commercial Establishments

Councils, churches, museums, universities, hospitals and other commercial establishments own many historic properties. While these properties are part of the architectural heritage of Britain in order to be fit for purpose they have to be dry, warm, healthy and also look great!

Core Conservation has introduced a line of lime products that tick all conservation boxes while performing just as well, if not better, than modern non-breathable insulation and damp proofing materials. 

We can safely state that with our breathable lime products we can achieve everything that one would normally achieve using modern non-breathable materials - cement, plastic membranes, Kingspan sheets etc. However, our solutions do not sacrifice breathability; you can have the best of both worlds: outstanding water proofing characteristics and breathability combined.

Research & Development

Core Conservation's main focus has always been innovation.  Consistent innovation also requires a deep understanding of various scientific phenomena.

Upon investigating many failed damp proofing and insulation attempts done by others in the past, we have concluded that the reason for such failures is not only poor workmanship, but often the lack of an in-depth technical understanding of the subject about various water transport mechanisms and related physical, chemical, electronic and other phenomena. Due to lack of research in this field, much of this data is not available in this industry sector and building professionals often operate based on outdated information, rumours or opinions.

Core Conservation has taken upon itself the task of filling this void by continuing scientific research, by testing every important physical, chemical, electronic, magnetic, electromagnetic phenomena that is influencing the behaviour and movement of water in porous building materials. This includes wetting/drying mechanisms, water transport mechanisms, behaviour of building materials (lime, cement, membranes, bricks, stones, etc.) - you name it. 

Now we operate two laboratories: one for small-scale proof-of-concept projects in a controlled environment with high-end lab equipment, and another one with a natural but protected environment where we can replicate large scale tests in their natural environment.

We are affiliated with CMR Italy, an accredited Italian building materials research laboratory, as well as with a Hungarian geomagnetic research establishment.

Core Conservation thus makes a significant contribution to the British scientific community in the building conservation field.