[Strawbale]RE: strawmud sauna

[ben albu]

Hi,

Just a brainstorm ....

Wouldn't it be a good idea to build an empty  "strawbale box", and inside  
this box you build another box in wood (like a normal sauna).
Between these boxes you keep an open space for ventilation. Just like a  
hollow wall.
Then you have the very good insulation properties  of the outside box, and  
the good moisture properties of the inside box.
In the hollow wall you can possibly make a ventilation system.


Ben Albu


On Fri, 23 Jul 2004 21:59:50 +0200, <nasenzwerg at gmx...> wrote:

> Hi balers,
>
> I do not quite agree with Rene.
> 1. thermal mass can be reduced by applying only a thin mud-layer by
> spraying a slurry. This could be covered with wood, the way, saunas
> usually 	look like.
> 2. principally the bigger problem is the one with the moisture of
> course. But you use a sauna only a few ours a day, then you can take
> care about good ventilation.
>
> Due to the moisture-problem, especially as it is run mostly during
> cold periods (large temperature gradient, a lot of moisture, thus the
> threat of condensation), building a SB sauna really is a demanding
> task. And if it works (and I think it should), it would be a
> impressive example to argument with, in discussions with critics.
>
> Good luck, and keep us informed
>
> peter schladt
>
> On 22 Jul 2004 at 22:11, Rene Dalmeijer wrote:
>
>> Rikkert,
>>
>> I don't want to dampen your spirit but SB is not a very suitable  
>> material
>> for a sauna for the following reason. The earthplaster walls have a
>> relatively high thermal capacity ie they require a lot of heat to warm  
>> up.
>> This means to have a comfortable surrounding you have to put in a lot of
>> heat for a long time before you can use your sauna. If the Sauna is used
>> continuously it is a different matter but I don't suppose this is your
>> intention. Besides this very practical reason there is the other of
>> moisture in bales ie a sauna is not a good environment for SB but if  
>> only
>> used for a short time and then well ventilataed this might be not so  
>> much
>> of a problem.
>>
>> To get around the first issue the high mass of the plaster I suggest
>> putting a low mass surface in front of the interior plaster Like a very
>> light corrugated transparent material (kunstof golfplaat) You can wrap  
>> this
>> around the whole area maybe not even completely from wall to ceiling to
>> allow good ventilation. Next I would make ventilation channels through  
>> the
>> SB walls near the floor that you could open after use. Obviously the
>> reciprocal roof will have a vented opening at the top. When the sauna  
>> is in
>> use you close the vents as required.
>>
>> Don't worry too much about the hay. When using the hay though make sure  
>> it
>> is dry and stored properly before building. I suggest dipping them a la
>> French dip before use allow them to dry some what before stacking makes  
>> a
>> big difference. A good dry start of life is essential specifically with
>> hay. Some of the oldest SB buildings were actually built using hay and  
>> not
>> straw.
>>
>> As I understand from your description you want to build low cost so  
>> keep in
>> mind that it is an experiment and be prepared to accept failure. In
>> practice though many old buildings were such experiments and they  
>> outlived
>> there initial builders.
>>
>> At 07:36 AM 7/22/04, you wrote:
>> >Hi people i wil give  a workshop whith building a expirimental  
>> strawbale
>> >mudsauna .
>> >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >  So what it say it is a expiriment so i wonder of some people have
>> > >  already some expiriments and maybe tips. I was wondering of it is  
>> already
>> > >  done .
>> > >
>> > >  It would be a round sauna one caretire foundation whit recipro  
>> roof   .
>> > >  I want try loadbearing on edge , somebody try this before  
>> sugestion ?
>> > >  And we can get for free hay is this posible to use?
>> > >
>> > >  when people want more info about the workhop email:  
>> rikkertx at ilse...
>>
>>
>> Rene Dalmeijer
>
>
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-- 
Ben Albu
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0476 57 53 20

ben at albu...
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