Table of Contents
What is the R value for straw bale insulation?
Energy Efficiency Their thermal efficiency comes from a compressed bale R value of 9, far greater than standard fibre insulation’s R value of 1.8 or any other construction method. The properties that keep you warm in winter work in reverse, keeping you cool and comfortable in summer with no wasted energy.
Do straw bales attract mice?
Straw has nothing edible to attract mice but hay has grass seeds that provide good winter provender for mice families. Straw bales stacked for supporting walls and structures have no holes in which mice can tunnel and no spaces in which to build nests, but hay bales stacked in a barn have many.
How long does a straw house last?
100 years
If built correctly a straw bale home can last 100 years at least. When it’s life cycle is complete, a structure stripped of all but the walls can be tilled back into the earth.
Are straw bale houses a fire hazard?
Isn’t there a huge fire danger? Test results show straw bale construction to be exceptionally resistant to fire. A test of a plastered wall panel showed a two-hour fire resistance, and an unplastered bale wall had a 30-minute resistance.
How big is a straw bale?
Size. A standard size bale should be 14 inches high, 18 inches wide and between 36 to 40 inches long. The modified post and beam construction that we design for our houses and buildings are design to accommodate this size of bales.
Are hay bales good insulation?
Inch for inch, straw bales insulate about the same as fiberglass, but because they are so much thicker than typical rolls of insulation, they provide a stronger shield against heat and cold.
Do hay bales make good insulation?
By bailing the straw, a new life is given to the material. The farmer makes some money by selling the bales and the homebuilder gains an excellent insulation and building material. Homes insulated with straw bale can have insulation values of R-30 to R-35 or more. The thicker the bale, the better the R-value.
How do I keep rats out of my hay bales?
Pack any small openings with steel wool or stiff metal screen; use caulking to hold the metal in place. Eliminating feed sources and blocking access will deter a significant number of rodents. Now you can use traps and bait stations/rodenticides to get rid of any remaining rats and mice.
Do termites eat straw bales?
Very few termites are likely to be interested in eating the straw bales themselves. Even those that normally eat grass. Lots of subterranean termites will happily travel through the bales to reach unprotected framing timbers (such as door frames and window lintels – see photo).
What are the disadvantages of straw?
Drinking through a straw can contribute to lip wrinkles, bloating, cavities, and teeth staining. If you must drink through a straw, consider using a reusable straw to reduce plastic waste. The production and disposal of plastic straws contribute to environmental pollution.
What is the are value of straw bale?
Straw bales are highly insulating, with an R-value ranging from 1.5 to 2 per inch of thickness. Since straw bale walls are typically between 18” and 24” thick, which corresponds to an R-value of 30 to 40, making them suitable for even the coldest climates.
How much does a bale of straw cost?
The big round bales can cost anywhere from $35 to $55 per bale, and by the ton, it can cost $90 to $110. Pine straw , which is made of naturally shed pine needles, can cost $5 to $8 per small bale. To see current market conditions, see this hayexchange.com page. Lowe’s, for example, sells small bales for about $7.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of straw bale?
Advantages of straw-bale construction over conventional building systems include the renewable nature of straw, cost, easy availability, naturally fire-retardant and high insulation value. Disadvantages include susceptibility to rot, difficulty of obtaining insurance coverage, and high space requirements for the straw itself.
How do round balers work?
Once the hay has dried sufficiently, the baler is pulled over the swath and the tines of the intake pick up the hay and feed it into rollers. Compression. The hay is compressed through multiple sets of rollers. In large square and round balers the swath can move back and forth to create an even bale.