Solid wall insulation retrofit in UK dwellings: Critical factors affecting management and quality

Driven largely by government policy instruments, the UK solid wall insulation (SWI) industry today is experiencing explosive growth rates. This research explores critical factors in the industryÕs efforts to overcome a legacy of poor design and build quality in retrofit work. The research employs qualitative and ethnographic methods across a range of UK area-based retrofit projects and installer training programmes. It includes participant observation made while working in the role of SWI installer, and an extended study of a leading SWI installation company and its construction management processes. Findings identify patterns of Ôshort-termismÕ, financial pressure, limited technical understanding, and point to immature management practices as recurrent impediments to installation quality. The research argues that in the context of a social-technical-political environment which hinders attainment of quality, new approaches to management are needed in the SWI industry.