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That's interesting that you're finding that prefab is at the high
end of the scale, because the NatureBuilt crew are able to install
them for a cost similar to conventional framing and lower than any
of the site-built bale companies in Ontario... around $16-18/square
foot of wall.<br>
<br>
The more expensive systems seem to be the ones that are still
plastered in an upright position, typically on-site after the panels
are installed. The NatureBuilt panels are plastered in a single coat
in a horizontal position, and that's where the time/labour/money
savings lies.<br>
<br>
I'm keen to talk to all the various producers for TLS...<br>
<br>
Chris<br>
<br>
On 13-10-03 2:48 AM, John Glassford wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:CADO2z1tOqV57EUNGg9QPikLZi_MKRFu5+a4jSkTJ1PFK_HRf2A@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">G ' day Andre
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I agree with your observations on the cost of straw pre-fab
panels are at the high end of the scale as far as straw bale
building goes.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Initially the development, testing and marketing side of
the panels is costly. Production costs to make these panels
will reduce as the techniques improve and the output increases
with experience.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>We have been tinkering with all of the above for a long
time now and we feel we are now in a good position.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>The main advantage is the speed these walls go up ready for
roofing in a very short time. This will reflect in the end
price due to the reduction in labour costs.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>At the moment the walls only constitute 20-30% of the total
build of a pre-fab panel straw bale building. The other costs
are equal when comparing methods used for the foundation,
floor, roofing, windows doors fit out and so on. Then that
applies to any straw bale house unless it is a vault!</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>So there is a saving to be had from pre-fab straw panels if
built by professional builders versus owner builders.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Here most straw bale homes are competitive to any other
form of building and most professional builders start at
$1,500 per square metre and ever upwards. Some owner builders
in our experience have built for $500 per square metre using
straw bales. We also know of straw bale buildings to cost up
to $4,000 per square metre here in Australia.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>The pre-fab straw panels offers the professional builder
and designers a good option when considering straw bales. Our
experience suggests that there is a good future for this
technology. We are also working on a portable factory system
for developing nations where the cost of labour is low and
community can get involved to build and finish a home that
looks like concrete blocks. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Anyhow think on Andre it maybe a good way to get the
professional builders to take up straw bale building, who
knows. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">Kind regards<br>
Susan and John Glassford<br>
Huff 'n' Puff Constructions<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.glassford.com.au" target="_blank">http://www.glassford.com.au</a><br>
61 2 6927 6027<br>
In Australia (02) 6927 6027
<div>Mobile 0412 11 61 57<br>
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://theork.com/"
target="_blank">Mount Kenya 2015 ANZAC Day</a><br>
<div> <br>
<div>
<div><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.endangeredrag.org/"
target="_blank">RAG Endangered Species</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Chris Magwood
Director, Endeavour Centre
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.endeavourcentre.org">www.endeavourcentre.org</a></pre>
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