<html>
<font size=3>I know of a straw-bale/clay-plastered sauna built several
years ago in Crestone, Colorado by SB builder Paul Koppana. I have
emailed him to ask for his comments, and will pass them along to this
list when they come. - regards, Catherine<br>
<br>
At 09:59 PM 7/23/04 +0200, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Hi balers,<br>
<br>
I do not quite agree with Rene.<br>
1. thermal mass can be reduced by applying only a thin mud-layer by
<br>
spraying a slurry. This could be covered with wood, the way, saunas
<br>
usually
<x-tab> </x-tab>look
like.<br>
2. principally the bigger problem is the one with the moisture of <br>
course. But you use a sauna only a few ours a day, then you can take
<br>
care about good ventilation. <br>
<br>
Due to the moisture-problem, especially as it is run mostly during <br>
cold periods (large temperature gradient, a lot of moisture, thus the
<br>
threat of condensation), building a SB sauna really is a demanding <br>
task. And if it works (and I think it should), it would be a <br>
impressive example to argument with, in discussions with critics.<br>
<br>
Good luck, and keep us informed<br>
<br>
peter schladt<br>
<br>
On 22 Jul 2004 at 22:11, Rene Dalmeijer wrote:<br>
<br>
> Rikkert,<br>
> <br>
> I don't want to dampen your spirit but SB is not a very suitable
material <br>
> for a sauna for the following reason. The earthplaster walls have a
<br>
> relatively high thermal capacity ie they require a lot of heat to
warm up. <br>
> This means to have a comfortable surrounding you have to put in a
lot of <br>
> heat for a long time before you can use your sauna. If the Sauna is
used <br>
> continuously it is a different matter but I don't suppose this is
your <br>
> intention. Besides this very practical reason there is the other of
<br>
> moisture in bales ie a sauna is not a good environment for SB but if
only <br>
> used for a short time and then well ventilataed this might be not so
much <br>
> of a problem.<br>
> <br>
> To get around the first issue the high mass of the plaster I suggest
<br>
> putting a low mass surface in front of the interior plaster Like a
very <br>
> light corrugated transparent material (kunstof golfplaat) You can
wrap this <br>
> around the whole area maybe not even completely from wall to ceiling
to <br>
> allow good ventilation. Next I would make ventilation channels
through the <br>
> SB walls near the floor that you could open after use. Obviously the
<br>
> reciprocal roof will have a vented opening at the top. When the
sauna is in <br>
> use you close the vents as required.<br>
> <br>
> Don't worry too much about the hay. When using the hay though make
sure it <br>
> is dry and stored properly before building. I suggest dipping them a
la <br>
> French dip before use allow them to dry some what before stacking
makes a <br>
> big difference. A good dry start of life is essential specifically
with <br>
> hay. Some of the oldest SB buildings were actually built using hay
and not <br>
> straw.<br>
> <br>
> As I understand from your description you want to build low cost so
keep in <br>
> mind that it is an experiment and be prepared to accept failure. In
<br>
> practice though many old buildings were such experiments and they
outlived <br>
> there initial builders.<br>
> <br>
> At 07:36 AM 7/22/04, you wrote:<br>
> >Hi people i wil give a workshop whith building a
expirimental strawbale <br>
> >mudsauna .<br>
> ><br>
> > ><br>
> > ><br>
> > > So what it say it is a expiriment so i wonder of
some people have<br>
> > > already some expiriments and maybe tips. I was
wondering of it is already<br>
> > > done .<br>
> > ><br>
> > > It would be a round sauna one caretire foundation
whit recipro roof .<br>
> > > I want try loadbearing on edge , somebody try this
before sugestion ?<br>
> > > And we can get for free hay is this posible to
use?<br>
> > ><br>
> > > when people want more info about the workhop email:
rikkertx@ilse...<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Rene Dalmeijer<br>
<br>
<br>
____________________________________________________<br>
European strawbale building discussion list<br>
<br>
Send all messages to:<br>
Strawbale@amper....muni.cz<br>
<br>
Archives, subscription options, etc:<br>
<a href="http://amper.ped.muni.cz/mailman/listinfo/strawbale" eudora="autourl">http://amper.ped.muni.cz/mailman/listinfo/strawbale</a><br>
____________________________________________________</font></blockquote></html>