Insulation before and now

40 years ago vapour barriers, intermediate rafter insulation, and thermal glazing were concepts almost unknown. Not until the energy crisis in the seventies, did people become more energy conscious, largely because of the increase in oil prices.

Before that time, the price of heating had been favourable, and dwellings were still not airtight rooms. The wind whistled under the roof, windows clattered, and non watertight joints provided permanent natural ventilation in the house. Thus, dry air streamed in from the outside and the humid air in the room escaped to the outside. On top of that, the furnishings (flooring, furniture, wall paintings and wallpaper) consisted of highly absorbent, natural materials, which were good at binding atmospheric humidity.

The air in the rooms was therefore much drier than today and normally water did not condense on the windowpanes. Today, there is thermal glazing, insulation layers and tight joints designed to keep the rooms warm, while also, keeping the moisture locked inside our living rooms. Therefore, homeowners have to provide sufficient ventilation and correct room temperature in order to regulate the atmospheric humidity in their homes.