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Re: [OM] OT - Air source heat pumps and related matters

Subject: Re: [OM] OT - Air source heat pumps and related matters
From: Jan Steinman <Jan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 09:40:41 -0800
Neat stuff, Mike!

> From: Mike Lazzari <watershed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> 
> First of all a straw bale house is much more fire resistant than a 
> stick-framed house.

Yes! There's just no source of oxygen there, if they're finished properly.

> Most problems around here with straw bale construction are caused 
> by traditional cement plaster inhibiting moisture movement through the 
> walls.

I'd call cement plaster "conventional" rather than "traditional."

Clay plasters breathe, and keep the straw dry.

> Typical construction around here where there isn't a guaranteed window 
> with no rain is post and beam with straw bale infill. This allows the 
> roof to be on before the bales arrive. The bales are not load bearing 
> which allows for a hybrid construction. e.g. interior walls are stick 
> framed as are hard to bale gable ends.

I've worked on both infill and load-bearing straw bale houses. The load-bearing 
ones can be much cheaper, but as you note, angles are an issue. The 
load-bearing straw bale house I worked on used light clay infill for the gable 
ends.

I think infill is popular primarily because it's easier to get past building 
inspectors, who can look at a frame, do the math, and say, "Yup, that will stay 
up." But they don't know what to do with load-bearing straw bales! (Which are, 
incidentally, just as strong as post-and-beam infill.)

> Here's a photo of us unloading the double semi load of bales.

Nice! I'm glad to see these techniques spreading.

----------------
:::: He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love 
of the giver. -- Thomas Kempis
:::: Jan Steinman, EcoReality Co-op ::::




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