Council tenants’ homes have had a dramatic makeover as part of our huge housing improvements project.
Nearly 100 houses and flats in Coedpoeth have benefited from having External Wall Insulation installed on their outside walls.
The work is designed to improve the energy efficiency of non-traditional properties such as steel-framed houses.
Houses built in this way tend to lose heat very easily though their outside walls. It is hoped that the new insulation will help keep the warmth in and potentially save money on energy bills for the tenants.
These homes and many others in Coedpoeth have also had other work carried out recently including re-roofing and improvements to paths, fences and walls. They’ve also received new kitchens, bathrooms and new central heating systems, where required.
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Houses look “like brand new”
As well as improving energy efficiency, the insulation also modernises the external appearance of the property. Houses which are several decades old can look like brand new from the outside.
Another benefit of the insulation is that it can potentially extend the life of the building by protecting the structure from the elements. The insulation was complemented with an ArtBrick finish. ArtBrick is not real brick but is made to match any existing brick or stone without compromising the appearence.
Two contractors worked with us in Coedpoeth to complete this work.
RW Hough & Sons Ltd carried out work to the flats and ‘Cubbitt’ houses. Cubbitt is a name given to a particular type of steel framed, non-traditional house.
Westdale North Ltd carried out work to the ‘Airey’ houses. This is another type of non-traditional house, known for the distinctive concrete slabs that cover their outside walls.
Improvements could lead to lower energy bills
Local Member for Coedpoeth, Cllr Krista Childs, said: “The houses look fabulous now the work has been completed. They’ve been given a modern new look and this has improved the appearance of the whole street.
“Tenants here have told us they’ve already noticed the difference with the properties being easier to heat over the winter months so this will hopefully lead to lower energy bills which is great news.”
Fellow Member for Coedpoeth, Cllr Michael Dixon, said: “It’s very pleasing to see the difference this work has made to these properties and how good they look now.
“A huge amount of improvement work has been carried out to our council tenants’ homes here recently, including new kitchens, bathrooms, fences, paths and other essential internal and external work. It’s an ambitious project with many challenges but I think it’s a very positive step in the right direction for ensuring these homes are fit for the future.”
More improvements to come
The work carried out in Coedpoeth is part of our huge housing improvements project. We are improving council owned homes across the County Borough to ensure they achieve the Welsh Government’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
This work will be continuing over the next 12 months after the Council’s Executive Board recently approved a £50.3m investment in the project for 2018/19.
This includes a Major Repairs Allowance grant that the Welsh Government awards to local authorities to help them achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
Lead Member for Housing, Cllr David Griffiths, said: “We’ve made record investments and carried out a huge amount of work across the County Borough to bring homes up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
“We’ve also made a real effort to go the extra mile with the design and the quality of the improvements. We’ve added some extra design features to the External Wall Insulation, including the brick-slips seen on the properties in Coedpoeth and I think this has really helped to improve their appearance.
“There is still work to be carried out but I’m pleased to see we are on track to achieve the standard and we will continue to work hard with our contractors to ensure the quality of what we are doing is as high as possible.”
You can find more information on the Welsh Housing Quality Standard on the council website
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