Can Straw bales be used externally to retrofit an existing building?

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Permalink Reply by Mentalfloss on September 14, 2009 at 6:47pm

It might have some beneficial effect but it's not a long term solution because the straw will rot (which is why thatched roofs have to be replaced year on year) - and so it might have to be replaced often making it not very cost effective. I reckon there will be other ways of fitting external insulation to your property. You do need to be very careful about damp.

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Permalink Reply by carolyn ingle on October 23, 2009 at 4:02pm

thanks for the reply - I should have added that this would be a retro fit to the external face of a single skinned brick structure and that i was planning to apply a lime render over the stawbales (the roof overhang could also be extended to add protection although this face of the building is quite protected from the elements by the woods that overhang this part of the building)

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy on September 18, 2009 at 2:27pm

I've bought some insulating paint from http://thermilate.co.uk/

It was advertised in the Permaculture magazine, which I subscribe - http://www.permaculture.co.uk/main2.html

I'm going to try in on my ceilings this winter.

It would certainly be a lower impact solution for you, in both time and resources!

Another idea could be to nail a layer of carpet to your inside walls and cover with a new layer of plasterboard and re-decorate. This was a sound insulation solution, but it could work for heat as well??

Jeremy

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Permalink Reply by Job S. Ebenezer on October 23, 2009 at 3:45pm

I built three structures using loose straw and carpet backing. Please visit my web site www.technologyforthepoor.com to view these low cost buildings using loose straw and carper backing. You migh be able to get some ideas from my web sites.

Job Ebenezer

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Permalink Reply by carolyn ingle on October 23, 2009 at 3:55pm

thanks for the reply -i'll take a look at you web site !
carolyn Ingle

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