Properties
Straw has a good insulating effect (λ value 0.049–0.051 W/mK) and is permeable to water vapour (μ = 1-1.5). The main problem with loose straw – the easy combustibility – is no longer present with straw bales or panels due to the dense pressing. The density of straw bales / panels is ideally approx. 100 to 120 kg/m³.
TIP: It is important to ensure that the straw is pressed and tamped very tightly without gaps so that the insulation layer remains unattractive to rodents.
Straw is
available in bulk, in straw building panels, in bale form and in the form of ready-made wall modules.
Loose
straw has largely been displaced from its areas of application in house construction, e.g. roofing, and straw is still only used as an aggregate in clay construction (light clay). Straw bales have also been rediscovered in this country as a compact building and insulating material. Filled into timber frame constructions, the easy-to-apply insulation layer guarantees an insulation value according to low-energy or passive house standards. The wall, floor and roof parts can be prefabricated relatively easily, so nothing stands in the way of use in prefabricated house construction, but also in classic carpentry construction. Due to the simple processing, a high proportion of in-house work is also possible. This further reduces the already low price of such wall systems.
... read more on umweltberatung.at - Die Umweltberatung
red= Areas of application, grey= not possible
