Specialising
in:
Strawbale Constructions & Consultancy
Strawbale construction is a practical and perhaps under-utilised building method.
It was first initiated in the United States at the turn of the century, and is now showing new merit in today's marketplace.
In Australia, Strawbale building has become increasinly popular, with the development of large number of houses and health retreats under construction.
Straw is usually a waste product and is burnt by farmers, causing carbon dioxide. Straw burning causes air pollution through smoke emission.
Houses of straw are easily constructed, structurally sound and promise to take some of the pressure of limited forest resources.
The end result is a home which is a unique building creating an overall feeling of comfort and well-being, with a potentially healthly environment.
BENEFITS OF STRAWBALE BUILDING
- Simple Construction
- Boast super-insulated walls, therefore reducing the cost of heating and cooling
- Sound-proof walls
- Straw is a viable building alternative, plentiful and inexpensive
- Straw is an environmentally friendly product
- Properly constructed and maintained, the strawbale walls will remain water-proof, fire resistant and pest free
- The effort yields a low-cost, elegant and energy efficient living space for the owners and a desirable boost to local farm income
- Owner/Builders can acheive great savings by providing their own labour, by constructing the strawbale walls
- A construction manager or consultant need be the only one on site with strawbale building experience.
FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS?
Are Strawbale buildings a fire hazard?
Render is used to fully enclose the strawbales, restricting the flow of air needed for combustion. The render has proven to resist fire for hours before cracks can even appear, unlike other conventional building materials.
Will the strawbales rot?
Safeguards are taken to eliminate any moisture being permitted within the bales, ensuring they remain dry, avoiding rot.
Will termites or rodents inhabit the walls?
Once the walls are rendered, it becomes impossible for any pests to live in the walls. Termites provide little, if any, problems in Tasmania.
Will my local council approve construction of a strawbale dwelling?
Getting approval for a strawbale dwelling has not proven to be difficult, and so far dwellings have been approved by Hobart, Kingborough and Glenorchy councils. An engineer's report will usually ensure an approval.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Types of straw used:
Barley, wheat, oats and rice straw are used to make the bales, because of their similar characteristics to timber.
Energy Efficiency:
Research undetaken in America gave a R value for strawbale walls of R6 to R9, compared to timber which is R1 and brick R0.25. Strawbale walls have nearly 10 times the insulation value of double brick cavity wall.
Structural Soundness:
If maintained properly, a strawbale house will last many decades. In America, houses built over a century ago are in good order and are still occupied.
NIK VOLLMER
Specialising in:
Strawbale Constructions & Consultancy
Lot
16 Albion Heights Road,
Kingston, Tasmania. 7050
Mobile: 0438 296 900
Email: strawbale@southcom.com.au
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