Eric,Besides Mark's comments regarding potentially higher U values. I would also like to add that plastering bales on all exposed sides is essential for the following other reasons:
1) Fire protection2) Exclusion of insects and critters. while straw is not attractive for food it does offer excellent nesting facilities. 3) A closed plaster coat also protects the straw from further infection by mold spores. 4) A plastered SB wall mechanically acts as a sandwich only plastering one side makes the wall lop sided.
In SB projects I am involved with I always insist on covering all exposed sides of bales with a least one full contiguous coat of plaster.
Finally basking in the sun in the reclaimed swamp at the mouth of the Rhine
Rene Dalmeijer On May 3, 2006, at 12:00, strawbale-request@amper....muni.cz wrote:
From: "Eric Larmett" <Eric.Larmett@arup...> Subject: [Strawbale] External cladding To: <strawbale@amper....muni.cz> Message-ID: <3BE0E47767484E489CF2FC6C94ECA2AD01DD8D8F@NWMEXC01....arup.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Most of the information on cladding tends to be on the use of limerender or plaster rather than cement and this is understood. Does anyonehave experience of using a cladding system, such as tile hanging. I envisage the use of straw bales as the load bearing wall with a breathable membrane battens and vertical tiles. This should allow the wall to breathe, move and shed rain. Comments would be welcome.