[Strawbale]RE: strawmud sauna

[Catherine Wanek]

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

At 09:59 PM 7/23/04 +0200, you 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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