Straw-infill construction offers a number of major benefits in the areas
of health & lifestyle, energy-efficiency,
cost, environment and strength.
We’ll address each of these areas individually below.
Health & Lifestyle
Straw built homes are extremely healthy to live
in. The walls offer incredible insulation (almost 5 times that of a normal
home), creating a comfortable year-round environment. What's more straw
also 'breathes', allowing moisture build up from day-to-day activities
to naturally disperse out of the house.
Most immediately, a straw built home is visually
appealing. The corners of the plaster cladding are naturally rounded and
can be finished in whatever colour you choose (whether it be paint or
pigmented plaster). The plaster sits naturally with architectural features
such as exposed framing or large windows, creating a building with a real
sense of substance; and which complements the surrounding environment.
It cannot be emphasized enough that the environmental benefits of straw
built homes do not preclude style and sophistication. If you’re
looking for an upmarket look, we can create it.
Interior styling can be whatever you choose. Interior wall surfaces can
be plastered, paneling or any other option. Of course, around windows
and doors, there’s a real sense of the 400mm thickness of the wall.
Features such as lighting, room size and layout are not affected at all
by the construction technique.
A unique ‘emotional’ benefit is that you can take part in
the construction, should you so choose. Many of our clients like to be
‘hands on’ and help place the straw. This process can be done
effectively with our mentoring. It’s
a great way to get a sense of participation in your home; or for a community
to minimize the construction costs of a public building.
Energy Efficiency
Walls over 400mm thick lead to warmth in winter and coolness
in summer. Typically, a straw built home will require up to 25 percent
less energy to heat. Energy efficiency can be enhanced through passive
energy design.
Sustainable Structures believe strongly in maximizing natural heating
and lighting options. We understand how to use building materials, window
placement, building orientation and so on to achieve the greatest energy
‘payback’.
Cost
Straw-infill is no more expensive than any other quality construction
technique. So for the same money you might spend on a similarly specified,
good quality conventionally constructed home, you can have a Straw Bale
Home with all its many advantages.
Environment
People often approach Sustainable Structures because they want
a home that is environmentally responsible.
Straw built homes contain a large proportion of ‘sustainable’
materials. But it’s the long-term energy-efficiency that really
makes straw built homes ‘eco’. You can be sure that as well
as keeping your bills down, you’re minimizing pressure on the national
power grid.
Strength
Straw is a proven, highly robust building material. The key is
to use it in the right way.
Sustainable Structures designs homes with a plaster cladding over all
the straw-infill, which is supported by a skeletal timber frame. (In some
cases a load-bearing straw bale technique can be used as well). The plaster
is permanently 'sealed' to prevent moisture and rodent penetration. (Note
that the 20mm thickness is vastly superior to the 3mm thick ‘eggshell’
plaster of many ‘monolithic cladding’ buildings.)
The other thing we do is design homes with generous eaves. This becomes
a real lifestyle benefit (creating wonderful interior-exterior flow) as
well as protecting the walls from moisture penetration.
Straw built homes are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the
premium home sector. They are, however, not a fad. Around the world you
can find straw built homes which are up to 150 years old and still structurally
robust.
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