A Dorset-based business consultant with a raft of building conversions under his belt is converting a barn for his family to live in – and loving his first foray into the Actis Hybrid range
Arjen Westerdijk began work on converting the 500 sq m barn in North Dorset back in 2024 after selling the family home in Sussex, with the aim of completing the project in early 2026.
His original plan had been to move to another property in the south coast county, but after the transaction fell through he and his family relocated to a cottage in the south west, and decided to put down roots there instead.
“The first year we demolished the barn and started the ground works, and over the last year we have come out of the ground and are building our home.” he said.
This barn conversion project is Arjen’s largest
Arjen, despite not being a professional builder, has completed a number of house renovations over the years, including converting listed buildings. This latest project is not only the largest to date – with the main home having four bedrooms and a further two in the annexe – it is also the first time he has used Actis Hybrid products.
“I chose Actis because of its performance credentials, ease of working and because it offers the complete insulation package. The ease of use is fantastic. The how-to installation videos are helpful and Joe Glaze, the area sales manager, was a great help demonstrating to the guys and me,” he said.
“I’m involved in all elements of the conversion, bringing in skilled trades for some of the work, and I’d say the Actis is quite straightforward to install even for someone who is not a construction professional.”
“It’s quick, easy to use, clean and thermally efficient”
Arjen is using a three-part system – a combination of 90mm and 105mm honeycomb structured Hybris to create a total 195mm thickness in the roof, 105mm Hybris in the walls, insulating vapour control layer H Control Hybrid in the roof and internally in the walls, and insulating breather membrane Boost R Hybrid Roof on the roof, and Boost R Hybrid in the walls.
The end result should see U-values of 0.11W/m2K in the roof and 0.15W/m2K in the walls.
With 500 sq metres of accommodation between the main home and the annexe that’s a lot of Actis – 1200 sq m of 105mm Hybris, 700 sq m of 90mm Hybris, 800 sq m of Boost R Hybrid Roof, 600 sq m of Boost R Hybrid and 1400 sq m of H Control Hybrid.
“It’s quick, easy to use, clean and thermally efficient. And I’ll definitely use it again,” added Arjen.
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