Absolute Acrylics

Warm Build Construction

Call us 01 848 3115

A Full Exterior Transformation

This D13 semi-detached home received a complete external overhaul as part of the renovation. The upper storey was finished in a textured pebble-dash render, with brick slip cladding to the lower storey — a combination that gives the front elevation real character while keeping the whole build thermally consistent, sitting on 100mm graphite EPS insulation throughout. Anthracite composite doors and windows tie the finish together at the front, while the rear was brought up to the same standard with a smooth acrylic render in a soft blue-grey, matching anthracite French doors and windows, and freshly rendered boundary walls painted to match the house.

In the video, we join the team on-site as they walk the exterior in person — starting at the front door, where the brick slip and render meet the new composite door and windows, then around to the rear patio to see the French doors, downpipes, and finished render up close. It’s a hands-on look at the details that don’t always come across in photos alone: the texture of the render, the depth of the window reveals, and how cleanly the brick slip and pebble-dash sit together.

Upstairs: Rewired, Replumbed, Reinsulated

Upstairs, every room was stripped back and upgraded. The house was fully rewired, with a new plumbing system and water tank installed, and all ceilings and walls insulated with 65mm insulated plaster boards before being freshly plastered and painted throughout. Electric panel heaters replaced the old radiators after the gas connection was disconnected — you can see one fitted in the main bedroom in the video, neat and wall-mounted, keeping the room free of pipework.

In the walkthrough, we go room to room: the main bedroom finished in a soft grey with a bright outlook over the rooftops next door; the box bedroom done out in a two-tone grey scheme with its own ventilation and a fresh pendant point ready for a light fitting; and the bathroom, fully tiled floor to ceiling with a white vanity unit, close-coupled toilet, and a glass-enclosed shower with a chrome thermostatic set. Every space carries the same finish — new PVC windows, fresh plaster, and a consistent, modern palette from room to room.

Downstairs: New Kitchen & Living Space

Downstairs saw the same standard of finish carried right through. The sitting room was opened up and brightened with a large new picture window, insulated walls and ceilings, an electric panel heater in place of the old radiator, and light grey-toned flooring that runs through into the hallway — a clean, bright space just off the stairs.

The kitchen is a full new fit-out: navy shaker-style cabinetry paired with white quartz-look countertops and a waterfall-edge island, marble-effect porcelain floor tiles, an integrated double oven, induction hob, and a curved stainless steel extractor hood. A new PVC window over the sink brings in natural light while keeping the same energy-efficient glazing standard as the rest of the house. Together with the sitting room, it makes for a bright, cohesive downstairs living space, finished to the same quality as everything upstairs.

Attic Insulated to 300mm

The attic was insulated with 300mm of mineral wool laid across the joists as part of the overall energy upgrade — a key factor in pushing the home towards its expected A energy rating. New OSB boarding was laid to keep the space usable, and even the attic hatch was upgraded, with a foil-faced insulated panel fitted to the back of the door itself so heat isn’t lost through the one gap that’s often overlooked.

The new water tank was also relocated up here, fully lagged and insulated and raised on its own timber platform, with all the pipework insulated to match. Combined with the wall and window upgrades throughout the rest of the house, the attic work completes the thermal envelope, making sure the heat generated inside stays inside rather than escaping through the roof.

SEAI Grants Applied

Three SEAI grants were applied for on the homeowner’s behalf — Attic (€1,550), External Insulation (€6,000) and Windows (€5,500) — all deducted directly from the final price, which came to approximately €13,000. Handling the grant applications on the homeowner’s behalf meant a smoother process from start to finish, with the savings passed straight through rather than left for the homeowner to claim separately.

The BER rating took the old house from a D rating to a B rating and with the addition of solar panels or a heat pump the house would achieve an A Rating fully passive house.

Get A Quote