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fwiw I agree too. You want a shed to store tools'n'such, build a shed ... shuttering ply/scrap etc or straight from the garden centre.<BR>
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It'd take (relatively) ages to build one from SB and a shed doesn't need all those SB properties and characteristics.<BR>
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cheers<BR>
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Donald<BR>
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> <BR>> I think that I agree. I am a keen SB supporter but probably not in <BR>> this application.<BR>> <BR>> Have you considered cob.<BR>> You can stop work at any stage without having to bother about bales <BR>> getting wet or vandalised.<BR>> There is not the danger of crushing feet and fingers that there is <BR>> with rammed earth.<BR>> Best of all for your application in an elementary school, it can be <BR>> un-believably messy....<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> Regards<BR>> Patrick<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> ><BR>> > There are a number of straw bale sheds built, mostly as demo projects.<BR>> > I would generally recommend against it, except for that purpose.<BR>> ><BR>> > One of the big advantages of SB is the high insulation value.<BR>> > Meaningless in a shed, generally. Same goes for most of the value of<BR>> > thermal mass & hydrophilic plasters, and to some degree air quality. A<BR>> > highly-breathable shed is a very forgiving thing.<BR>> ><BR>> > The interior finish of SB is not so cheap (materially), and (both<BR>> > interior and exterior are) VERY labor intensive. Sheds don't typically<BR>> > have an interior finish.<BR>> ><BR>> > IMO you need large overhangs, and some structure that keeps the SB off<BR>> > the ground: typically 12-18" (I would advocate more in the 18"+ for<BR>> > anything but the dryest climes).<BR>> ><BR>> > If you do the math, and especially if you value your volunteer energy,<BR>> > it's not a great fit. UNLESS: you put a high value on the demo aspect<BR>> > (are you in a good SB environment?), for example, a larger SB project<BR>> > is on the horizon.<BR>> ><BR>> > I can't stress enough how important free labor is to make SB even<BR>> > faintly competitive with almost anything else. Compressed (possibly<BR>> > stabilized) earth blocks made onsite could be another local natural<BR>> > materials approach that could go faster/cheaper, if you can find/build<BR>> > a press.<BR>> ><BR>> > Full disclosure: I work with/around SB quite a bit, and I really love<BR>> > certain aspects, but am weary of it being oversold.<BR>> ><BR>> > Keith<BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> >> Hello!<BR>> >> I am a teacher at South Hill elementary school. We have a small<BR>> >> organic orchard on site, and I'd love to build a shed for educational<BR>> >> and maintenece materials. I was wondering about the cost/viability of<BR>> >> building a straw bale structure at the school. The district would take<BR>> >> a lot of convincing, I'm betting, but it is worth a try. Is there a<BR>> >> local person I could talk to, or, even better, who would like to help<BR>> >> on such a project?<BR>> >> I'm looking to write a grant to cover the costs and community support is<BR>> >> a must.<BR>> >> Thanks,<BR>> >> Carolyn Belle<BR><BR> <br /><hr />New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. <a href='http://www.microsoft.com/windows/buy/ ' target='_new'>Learn more.</a></body>
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