[Strawbale] External cladding

[Mark Bigland-Pritchard]

Eric -

I have no experience of using a cladding system, but there is one 
challenge inherent in such a system that I think should be addressed.

There is a disparity between directly-measured U-values for strawbale 
walls and U-values calculated from measured thermal conductivity of bale 
samples; the best explanation anyone has been able to give for this is 
slow convection currents in - or rather around the outside of - the bale 
wall.  The disparity was worst in the case of the least professionally 
plastered test in the US.  I would therefore expect the thermal 
performance of a system which uses cladding _instead of_ external render 
to be substandard.

You could of course render it anyway (maybe you could get away with only 
5 to 10mm - I'm not sure on this), and have the cladding system as well.

Mark




Eric Larmett wrote:

> Most of the information on cladding tends to be on the use of lime 
> render or plaster rather than cement and this is understood. Does 
> anyone have experience of using a cladding system, such as tile hanging.
>
>  
>
> I envisage the use of straw bales as the load bearing wall with a 
> breathable membrane battens and vertical tiles. This should allow the 
> wall to breathe, move and shed rain.
>
>  
>
> Comments would be welcome.
>
>  
>
> Regards   
>
>  
>
> Eric Larmett
>
> Senior Engineer
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> Arup Building Engineering
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