Post by account_disabled on Mar 13, 2024 4:45:31 GMT -5
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of straw bale construction . Like any building material, it is always best to evaluate your needs and goals before committing to a particular material. Green building offers a wide range of options to achieve energy efficiency. When appropriate for your project, straw bale construction has many benefits.
Advantages of straw bale construction
Straw bales are made from a waste product . Once the edible part of the grain (such as wheat or rice) has been harvested, the stalks often become a disposal problem for farmers. By bailing the straw, new life is given to the material. The farmer makes some money selling the bales and the builder gets excellent insulation and construction material.
Straw bale insu Caseno Email List lated homes can have insulation values of R- to R- or more. The thicker the bale, the better the R-value.
The walls of the straw bales are at least eighteen inches thick. This adds aesthetic value to the house, as thick walls are expensive to achieve with conventional construction. The thickness of the wall helps reflect sunlight throughout the room.
Due to the thickness of the straw bale walls , each window can have a seat or a shelf. This becomes both an aesthetic and practical design element.
The concept of straw bale construction is easily understood even by novice builders. With the supervision of an expert straw bale mentor, neophyte builders can assist in the construction process. Not only does this spread the word about straw bale construction, but it also means the home builder can save money by using a team of volunteers to help put up the walls.
Straw bales have little embodied energy. This means that very little energy was used to make the product, as sunlight was the main source of energy for growing plants. The only energy required to make a bale of straw is the bailing process and transportation to the workplace. Other insulation materials, such as fiberglass, require a substantial amount of energy to produce.
Straw bales are % biodegradable , when appropriate. Straw Bale homes can last over years if properly maintained. At some point, all structures will eventually be replaced. When the time comes, the straw bales can be plowed back into the soil. Fiberglass, on the other hand, becomes a disposal problem.
Straw bale walls can be carved with a knife or chainsaw. Openings around windows or doors can be rounded to a nice radius. Bales can also be finished with a sharp angled edge. Niches can also be carved into the bullets.
Despite what might seem logical, properly constructed straw bale walls have been shown to be more flame retardant than conventional wood frame construction. This is because the bales are dense and tend to burn when the ignition source is removed.
Straw bale insulation is most effective in climates where heating or cooling the home is paramount to comfort.
Straw bale homes can be very aesthetic , as the natural material lends itself to multiple architectural styles.
Advantages of straw bale construction
Straw bales are made from a waste product . Once the edible part of the grain (such as wheat or rice) has been harvested, the stalks often become a disposal problem for farmers. By bailing the straw, new life is given to the material. The farmer makes some money selling the bales and the builder gets excellent insulation and construction material.
Straw bale insu Caseno Email List lated homes can have insulation values of R- to R- or more. The thicker the bale, the better the R-value.
The walls of the straw bales are at least eighteen inches thick. This adds aesthetic value to the house, as thick walls are expensive to achieve with conventional construction. The thickness of the wall helps reflect sunlight throughout the room.
Due to the thickness of the straw bale walls , each window can have a seat or a shelf. This becomes both an aesthetic and practical design element.
The concept of straw bale construction is easily understood even by novice builders. With the supervision of an expert straw bale mentor, neophyte builders can assist in the construction process. Not only does this spread the word about straw bale construction, but it also means the home builder can save money by using a team of volunteers to help put up the walls.
Straw bales have little embodied energy. This means that very little energy was used to make the product, as sunlight was the main source of energy for growing plants. The only energy required to make a bale of straw is the bailing process and transportation to the workplace. Other insulation materials, such as fiberglass, require a substantial amount of energy to produce.
Straw bales are % biodegradable , when appropriate. Straw Bale homes can last over years if properly maintained. At some point, all structures will eventually be replaced. When the time comes, the straw bales can be plowed back into the soil. Fiberglass, on the other hand, becomes a disposal problem.
Straw bale walls can be carved with a knife or chainsaw. Openings around windows or doors can be rounded to a nice radius. Bales can also be finished with a sharp angled edge. Niches can also be carved into the bullets.
Despite what might seem logical, properly constructed straw bale walls have been shown to be more flame retardant than conventional wood frame construction. This is because the bales are dense and tend to burn when the ignition source is removed.
Straw bale insulation is most effective in climates where heating or cooling the home is paramount to comfort.
Straw bale homes can be very aesthetic , as the natural material lends itself to multiple architectural styles.