Benefits of Straw Bale Construction
Beauty and Comfort:
The thickness and subtle curves of straw walls have a special character and beauty. Combined with their high insulation value and breathability, these walls create an overall feeling of comfort and can induce physical and psychological feelings of well-being. The high insulation value of bales also helps create a very stable environment, which is easy to cool and heat and provides far superior living conditions to that of most modern housing.
Ease of Construction:
Building walls from straw is much less labour intensive than using other materials, encourages individual creativity, and leads to final structures that are climatically adapted and energy efficient. Building with straw bales allows inexperienced and unskilled people the opportunity to become directly involved in creating their own homes.
Energy Efficiency:
Insulation is rated by R-Value, the resistance to heat flow, the higher the R-Value the better the insulation. Straw bale buildings are thermally efficient and energy conserving, with R-Values tested at four to five times higher than conventional construction materials deliver. Straw bale walls allow smaller heating or cooling systems to be installed because of the increased insulation, leading to ongoing savings in heating costs.
Environmental Benefits:
Straw bale construction can provide benefits in regions where straw has become an unwanted waste product. There could be a significant decline in the devastation of timber areas if homes were built from straw bales instead of the lumber consumptive construction methods today.
Sustainability:
In contrast to the timber used for wood framing, straw can be grown in less than a year in a completely sustainable production system. The conversion of straw into a sustainable renewable resource to be used as a dominant building material could be especially beneficial in various areas, where the climate is serve and timber is scarce, but straw is plentiful. Another aspect of straw’s sustainability is the materials remarkable durability.
Seismic Resistance:
Research also has shown that straw bale houses perform well in earthquakes. It appears that straw bale buildings will be of special value in areas where earthquakes are common, as straw bales have a good width to height ratio and can be easily and effectively reinforced. Bale walls may actually absorb much of the shock of an earthquake, with the plaster adds to the strength of these buildings. The material properties of straw bales, their flexibility and strength, make them ideal for seismic-resistant structural design, as long as the connections between the bale wall system and the roof and foundation are adequate.
Affordability:
How much does a straw bale building cost? It all depends as the costs of building vary according to factors including: region, site within that region, contribution of labour by the owner, and codes and permit requirements. Costs compared between conventional and straw bale homes have proved to be on a par with each other. From my experience it has proved that pricing out each new concept to the clients requirements works the best, rather than quoting sqm rates. Buildings out of straw will be a far superior product in terms of energy efficiency, durability, comfort and aesthetic character.
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