You're freezing in your listed building and everyone keeps telling you what you can't do.

Can't install double glazing. Can't insulate the walls externally. Can't put solar panels on that roof. Every conversation about making your home warmer seems to hit a wall of regulations and restrictions.

But nobody's properly explaining what you can do.

Here's the thing: heritage homes can be both historically significant and energy efficient. The methods and materials are different from standard approaches, and yes, there are more hoops to jump through. But most types of improvements are possible when done properly.

What You Can Actually Do

Every heritage property is different and needs individual assessment, but here's what's typically possible:

Wall Insulation

Internal wall insulation works well because it doesn't affect your home's external appearance. The challenge is doing it without damaging important interior features like decorative plasterwork or original joinery. When done properly with breathable materials, it significantly improves warmth whilst preserving your home's character.

External wall insulation is generally off the table for listed buildings - it changes the appearance too much. Some properties in conservation areas might get permission, particularly detached houses that are already rendered and not traditionally constructed. Worth asking, but don't count on it.

Windows

Standard double glazing usually isn't permitted in heritage properties, but there are several effective alternatives:

Slimline double glazing can be fitted into existing window frames - looks almost identical to single glazing but performs much better.

Secondary glazing installed behind original windows gives you the thermal benefit without touching the historic windows themselves.

Traditional shutters restored to working order make more difference than you'd think.

Insulated curtains and blinds - Historic England's research shows these can significantly improve efficiency, and they're completely reversible.

You're keeping the character whilst making rooms noticeably warmer and cutting condensation.

Roof and Floor Insulation

Loft insulation is usually straightforward - doesn't affect heritage significance and makes an immediate difference to comfort and bills.

Roof insulation for properties with rooms in the roof space - possible but needs careful specification to avoid trapping moisture.

Floor insulation works for both suspended and solid floors, though installation requires planning to preserve original floorboards and avoid affecting room proportions.

These are often the easiest wins - significant impact, minimal restrictions.

Heating and Renewable Energy

Air source heat pumps can work in well-insulated heritage homes. The challenges are visual impact (where the external unit goes) and whether your home can be insulated enough for a heat pump to work efficiently. Not suitable for every heritage property, but worth investigating.

Biomass systems work well in rural locations - though you need space for fuel storage and the system itself.

High heat retention storage heaters make sense for properties that can't be fully insulated - more efficient than old storage heaters, no visual impact.

Solar panels might be possible depending on roof orientation, structural capacity, and visual impact. Listed buildings face more restrictions, conservation areas slightly less so. Usually easier on outbuildings or less visible roof slopes.

Why Heritage Homes Need Different Approaches

This isn't just about getting permission - it's about doing improvements in ways that don't damage your home.

The Breathability Factor

Traditional buildings use vapour-permeable materials that allow moisture to enter and evaporate naturally. This 'breathability' keeps the building healthy. Trap moisture inside with modern impermeable materials and you get decay - timber rot, masonry deterioration, all the expensive problems.

This is why you can't just use standard insulation materials and methods. They work fine in modern homes but can seriously damage heritage buildings.

Materials Matter

Lime-based products (mortars, plasters, renders) are essential in traditional buildings. They remain flexible, allow vapour to pass through, and are sacrificial - meaning they'll deteriorate before causing damage to structural elements. Modern cement-based materials are too hard and impermeable for heritage buildings.

Vapour-permeable insulation options include sheep wool, wood fibre, and insulated lime plaster or limecrete. These improve warmth whilst maintaining the natural moisture cycle your building needs.

Bespoke Solutions

Heritage improvements often need custom approaches:

• Custom-made joinery rather than off-the-shelf products

• Careful floor insulation techniques to preserve original floorboards

• Ventilation strategies that respect historic features

More complex than standard methods, yes. But they ensure your home remains structurally sound whilst becoming more comfortable and energy efficient.

The Approval Process

Getting improvements done in heritage properties involves more paperwork than standard homes.

Planning permission and listed building consent:

• External changes generally need planning permission for both listed buildings and homes in conservation areas

• Internal alterations to listed buildings usually need listed building consent, even if not visible from outside

• Standalone installations like air source heat pumps and solar panels also need consideration

Building regulations:
Most work needs to comply with building regulations, handled through competent contractor schemes for certain work, or building regulations applications for larger projects.

Timeline:
Factor in several months for approvals before work starts. Listed building consent alone can take 8-12 weeks, and you might need multiple approvals for a single project.

The process feels bureaucratic because it is. But it exists to protect buildings that have survived centuries - including yours.

When You Need Expert Help

Heritage property improvements aren't DIY territory, and not all builders or energy specialists understand traditional buildings.

You need professionals who understand heritage properties:

• Architects or designers experienced with heritage buildings to prepare planning applications, heritage statements, and drawings

• Structural engineers and services engineers for complex projects

• Specialist craftspeople who understand traditional building methods and materials

The wrong approach can cause expensive damage that takes years to show up. Water trapped in walls, inappropriate repairs that accelerate decay, modern materials that fight against how the building naturally works.

Getting expert advice upfront costs less than fixing damage later.

Making It Happen

If you own a heritage property and want to make it warmer and more efficient, here's the reality:

It takes longer than standard homes. There's more paperwork. Materials and methods cost more. You need specialists who understand what they're doing.

But it's absolutely possible. Most types of improvements can be done when approached properly - using appropriate materials, respecting how the building works, and getting the right approvals.

The key is finding the right balance between conservation and comfort. Done properly, your heritage home can be warm, efficient, and still be standing in another few hundred years.

Planning improvements to your heritage property? We work with heritage homes regularly and understand both the technical requirements and the approval process. Get in touch with our team to discuss what's possible for your home.

Book an expert call to talk about your heritage home