[GSBN] Straw Bale Insulated Ceiling

[Bohdan Dorniak]

Feile

This question has been raised many times – and it seems to get down to the actual weight of the rendered bales – and the type of ceiling structure to support the insulation. Is it worth the amount of timber??

Tests for fire on rendered straw bales was conducted in Germany some time ago – sorry can’t remember the author – but someone will have the details. The walls got a 90 minute fire rating!

Using plasterboard/clayboard seems OK provide you get total seal proof joints and the boards comply with the Code for fire rating. As for the loadbearing of the bales – I’d be sceptical.

Hope this helps – and I’m wondering whether a light weight insulation batt isn’t being considered?

Bohdan Dorniak architect

Treasurer AUSBALE 

 

 

From: GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com [mailto:GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com] On Behalf Of Danny Buck
Sent: Tuesday, 4 February 2014 2:39 AM
To: Feile Butler; Global Straw Building Network
Subject: Re: [GSBN] Straw Bale Insulated Ceiling

 

Our experience here in New Mexico was that the roof structure gave us a lot of voids between bales that were very challenging to pack. If it is a true attic with a flat open surface to work off of, that would be different.

 

The surface of the bale that is accessible to air (oxygen) is best sealed with a plaster. 

 

Danny Buck

Daniel Buck Construction, Inc.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Feile Butler <mailto:feile at mudandwood.com>  

To: Global Straw Building Network <mailto:GSBN at sustainablesources.com>  

Sent: Monday, February 03, 2014 2:57 AM

Subject: [GSBN] Straw Bale Insulated Ceiling

 

Hi All

 

I have clients who are considering insulating above the ceiling with straw bales. They have a large attic which could easily accommodate the bales and plenty of outbuildings, so they don't need the attic for storage.

 

I have never detailed a straw bale ceiling before, but would like to explore the idea. 

 

One of my main concerns is fire. Is it enough to encapsulate the bales within plasterboard/clayboard on both sides (top and bottom)? If we want to deck out the floor above the bales, would it be enough to coat them in a lime or earth plaster before building up the floor above them? Is there any data out there about the behaviour of straw bales in ceilings that I can show the building control officer, particularly with regard to fire?

 

Any advice on or experience of straw bale insulated ceilings would be very welcome.

 

 

Thanks

 

 

File Butler

MRIAI B.Arch Dip. Arch Conservation Grade III

Mud and Wood

Grange Beg, Skreen, Co. Sligo, Ireland

 

                                                                            

            

T:  +353 (0) 71 930 0488

M: +353 (0) 86 806 8382

E : feile at mudandwood.com

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