Alternative Technology Assn Forums

1. 

   Lucas
   Member

   Has anyone used purpose made straw panels for wall or ceiling insulation - the sort made by Solomit http://www.solomit.com.au or similar - instead of conventional bales?
   We plan to build a house with regular bales but I have a large shed to build as well and want to explore insulation options. My suspicion is that the Solomit type panels will be more expensive (haven't called them yet). And they seem to come only in 50mm thick which doesn't offer much insulation. Ideally I'd like to find a 120 to 150mm thick straw panel.
   Keen to hear if anyone knows of other straw panel options - thicker? Anyone used them? Know of other suppliers?
   I should say that I know about Durra panels and other similar brands but want to stay away from the manufactured straw products - we want to go with a simple straw product without glues or bonding products. And hopefully the plain straw will work out cheaper too?
   Alternatively I plan to try braking up some regular rectangular bales and creating mini biscuits about 150mm thick to use as insulation. Anyone done this successfully?
   Cheers

   Posted Saturday 23 Apr 2011 @ 11:26:19 am from IP #
2. 

   Greg
   Member

   I have a load bearing straw bale "shed" and was considering the solomit for sound attenuation not for insulation. The shed has steel roof , "bubble reflective foil" and deciding on wool batts for insulation. I don't like the idea of loose straw for fire reasons. Compressed straw is very good but loose straw would worry me too much. I know there is a lot left over after baleing but I think it's risky unlike wool etc, just my thoughts.

   Posted Saturday 23 Apr 2011 @ 11:21:38 pm from IP #
3. 

   Lucas
   Member

   sorry i should have said that the shed will be corrugated colorbond on the outside and some sort of timber lining boards on the inside so the straw is only there for insulation. So there won't be any fire risk Greg Just as well because there'll be the odd bit of welding and a few sparks from an angle grinder floating about! I will look into wool batts as well - I like the idea of it but the cost is about twice as much as fibre bats? Prefer to stay away from the fibre batts and the formaldehyde in them.

   Posted Monday 25 Apr 2011 @ 9:51:18 am from IP #
4. 

   Frateco
   Member

   Three things come to mind:

   1. Loose straw allows for insect & pest habitation.
   2. 150mm may not provide the level of insulation you want - generally I would be looking for a min of 200mm to give you effective insulation.
   3. Hard to get loose straw into gaps which means there is opportunity for draughts and heat loss.

   Posted Thursday 26 May 2011 @ 12:01:00 am from IP #
5. 

   angela
   Member

   Keep an eye on the moisture content. If any moisure, then this is a good breading ground for mould spores. If these are then in the walls, will be difficult to eredicate and may cause health issues without even knowing the cause.

   Posted Friday 3 Jun 2011 @ 12:48:34 am from IP #
6. 

   Systems Pest Management
   Member

   Make sure that you check what the solomit is treated with or has bound up in it. I have read of health concerns in the past as it had diazinon, a fungicide, car oil and salts in it.

   Posted Monday 28 Jan 2013 @ 10:15:49 am from IP #

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