[Strawbale] results of sb houses across europe pls

[Neale Brickwood]

Thanks dave. Obviously more research to do!!

Neale
Sent from my iPhone

On 11 Jul 2010, at 22:13, Dave Howorth <dave at howorth....uk> wrote:

> On Sat, 2010-07-10 at 22:35 +0000, Neale Brickwood wrote:
>
>> I'm thinking of a dry build using a timber frame to provide the
>> structure and dry enclosure with the straw being inserted from the
>> inside (in the dry) timber cladding outside, plasterboard inside. I
>> know it dosnt stack up with the purist principles but will provide
>> substantial Co2 savings by omitting brick, block and insulation and
>> obviously sand and cement.
>>
>>
>> I presume i'd need a breathable vapour barrier between the timber
>> structure and the cladding which would allow the straw to breathe. Do
>> you know if any one has done any U value calcs for this type of build
>> or do you forsee any problems?
>
> Neale,
>
> The term "breathable vapour barrier" is an oxymoron. Breathable means
> "vapour permeable". You probably mean a watertight, airtight barrier.
>
> Straw bales are traditionally coated with lime or clay plaster for two
> main reasons:
> -1- it provides fire resistance
> -2- it provides an airtight barrier that helps the straw function
> effectively as insulation
>
> Gaps between between bales and separate fireproof layers are known to
> act as chimneys in fires and these can increase the spread of flame.
>
> Having said all that, you might want to look at the S-House design.
>
> Cheers, Dave
>
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