Beyond Housing has completed a £1.6 million investment project to provide external wall insulation to 194 properties in Redcar and Ormesby.

96 properties in Redcar and 98 properties in the Overfields estate in Ormesby have benefitted from the project which will deliver significant energy savings for customers, keeping the homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

The houses were chosen for upgrade because they were built in the post-war period using the “Wimpey no-fines” construction technique, meaning they were built with concrete shell cast slabs.

Because of the age and nature of the buildings, they have no cavities for insulation. The external wall insulation fitted uses a type of polystyrene board bolted to the external face of the building and a decorative render applied to give a more attractive appearance.

The programme has resulted in properties’ energy efficiency ratings rising from a D to a C. The works are part of an ongoing programme of improvement Beyond Housing has undertaken over the past 15 years, installing efficient gas central heating, loft insulation and double glazing to its properties across Redcar and Cleveland.

Paula Aungiers, Beyond Housing’s project manager leading the investment, said: “It’s fantastic to have been able to deliver this project, creating warmer, more efficient homes for our customers and improving kerb appeal on our estates.

“Customers are already commenting on the difference in temperature in their properties, and going forward they will be warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and with lower energy bills.”

The work was completed by Sustainable Building Services, on time and on budget.