Author Topic: straw bale finish?  (Read 4777 times)

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A6D9

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straw bale finish?
« on: February 27, 2008, 04:38:10 PM »
I am tryignt o prepare for a long term goals.


My goal is to build a straw bale home in the next 2-3 years.


I have been doing research and feel I will be going with a post and beem set up.


my question is, for the finish, allot of peopel use plaster of soem sort.


I was wondering if this would work.


I would like to plaster the outside or perhaps "shotcreet" it.


so woudl that work?  first question....


second questions....


for the inside, do i need to coat it with something?  can i not build a 2X4 stud wall and mount drywall just in front of the straw wall?


or should i seal it with some sort of plastic or "tyvek" sheeting? and then build my wall in front?


I only plan on building the outside walls with bales.  the interior walls will be regular old fashion drywall.


will be don eon a slab and I plan on building a knee wall with the foundation as to keep the bales off the ground.


This will be in a small place just outside of Fredericton, Nb,Canada,  we get allot of snow.  


any advice?  or comments is greatly appreciated.  :)

« Last Edit: February 27, 2008, 04:38:10 PM by (unknown) »

frackers

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Re: straw bale finish?
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2008, 03:21:25 PM »
My understanding is that straw bales have to 'breathe' so the old traditional lime render is the best bet. A 5 second google found this:


http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/grand-designs/trade_secrets/gdts_strawhouse_guide.html


Looks like a start to me!!

« Last Edit: February 27, 2008, 03:21:25 PM by frackers »
Robin Down Under (Or Are You Up Over)

Tio

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Re: straw bale finish?
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2008, 07:30:20 PM »
I have actually built a couple of straw-bale buildings. For myself and others.


The short answer is "Yes, you need some type of breathable finish on it.


The other parts are not so simple. Yeah, you could shot-crete it. Yeah, you could build stud walls and rock them. Yeah, you could use tyvek.


But why?


It is a proven technology that has stood the test of time without shot-crete, furred out sheet-rock - or even in-filled timber framing.  

« Last Edit: March 01, 2008, 07:30:20 PM by Tio »

GaryGary

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Re: straw bale finish?
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2008, 08:22:32 PM »
Hi,

It seems like if you are going to build a regular stud wall inside the strawbale wall you might be better off to just go with the double stud wall and use lots of cellulose fill in the the middle.  


Not sure why you would want to use the drywall inside?  The plaster finish walls I've seen in strawbale homes look outstanding (to me).


Lots of info on strawbale and double wall construction here:

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/constructionps.htm


One of the books thats listed:

Building One House: A Handbook for Strawbale Construction, Nathaniel Corum

is very very detialed on strawbale construction.

Lots of construction detail.


Gary

« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 08:22:32 PM by GaryGary »

WGB

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Re: straw bale finish?
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2009, 07:06:28 AM »
Hi, new guy to posting, been lurking for a long time.

 Started coming here for parts and wind generator info.

Didn't think I would pick up info on straw bale building!

Our place will be off grid, the wind generator, and ST-head are underway now.

Winter wheat is planted, so we're pretty serious lol.

I want to use shot-crete for speed, and my elbows and shoulders are shot.

Going the lime base mix like most use.

I know someone who has a straw house, he said the bad part was hand packing the stucco.

I would think the shot-crete method would drive material deeper into the bales.

Any more input?

« Last Edit: January 23, 2009, 07:06:28 AM by WGB »