Teach
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Teach on Feb 24, 2010 7:25:15 GMT -8
I watched a utube vid yesterday regarding the use of straw for exterior wall insulation. I was not able to gleen any information on how to prepare the straw though. I would think a person could just make a regular clay slip, dip in the straw, stuff the straw into the wall and let dry. When dry, move the forms upward and continue with the next coarse.
Does anyone know how this is done? The preparation of the light clay straw?
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Post by Donkey on Feb 24, 2010 15:24:22 GMT -8
It's easy. One of the best ways I know of to do it is to spread the straw out on a tarp, sprinkle on some clay slip, tumble the straw/clay in the tarp till it's all nicely mixed. For light straw you want just enough slip to gently coat the straw, like a light salad dressing. Pack this mixture into the forms gently, it's supposed to be insulation, so if it's rammed down too hard it won't work properly. Oh, it's good to provide some kind of tooth in the framing for the light straw to hold on to. Most folks use old bent nails, hammered into the framing, all around, a few inches apart. I don't like using metal inside light straw or cob (though admittedly, it's probably a quibble and not too important), so I drill holes and pound in wooden pegs instead. Umm... I know you posted this in the off topic forum, which makes sense, though It seems right to put it here in the materials section.. ??  |
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Post by canyon on Feb 24, 2010 20:57:28 GMT -8
Ive been doing light straw-clay for 6 years now. Robert Laporte is the guru in this country and offers workshops (I'm attending one in late June in BC). I really like this combination of material. By varying the slip to straw ratio you can make an incredible sculpting straw/clay that is addictive to work with. I just used this to form my 3 1/2" overhang on my bench. His (and his wifes') book ECONEST gives some good info. If you get into it, a mortar mixer is key for making slip and a concrete mixer works to coat the straw with slip. My favorite light mix form is stagered studs with lath nailed on as you go. Then you can really do it light and the plaster has something to key into later.  |
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Teach
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Teach on Feb 25, 2010 11:58:50 GMT -8
Canyon, where is this workshop in BC in June? Where can I find more information on it?
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Teach
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Teach on Feb 25, 2010 13:15:56 GMT -8
[ Umm... I know you posted this in the off topic forum, which makes sense, though It seems right to put it here in the materials section.. ?? [/quote] Err, umm well yes it is a material but...........can't remember anyone ever mentioning it in the use of a rocket stove..........nor had anything to do with casting or refractories so I put in the off topic area where the off topic stuff is supposed to go! grin I'm not makin the connection here Vern. |
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Post by canyon on Feb 25, 2010 19:03:36 GMT -8
Canyon, where is this workshop in BC in June? Where can I find more information on it? Check out Robert Laporte's web site. Search his name and maybe econest. It is on Salt Spring Island I think? |
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Teach
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Teach on Mar 6, 2010 8:19:16 GMT -8
Canyon, ur right. Salt Spring. Thanks for the information. I will see what I can glean.
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Post by Donkey on Mar 6, 2010 11:54:09 GMT -8
Err, umm well yes it is a material but...........can't remember anyone ever mentioning it in the use of a rocket stove..........nor had anything to do with casting or refractories so I put in the off topic area where the off topic stuff is supposed to go! grin I'm not makin the connection here Vern. Actually, you CAN use it as insulation for certain uses with rocket stoves. I've actually made short lasting cooking rockets with the stuff, though it was a more clay rich variety than is used in walls. Maybe this isn't the best place for the sub board, but it seems like one just tailored to materials is a GOOD idea. |
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johng
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by johng on Mar 13, 2010 15:30:58 GMT -8
Some folks in Madison WI (vaguely affiliated with the Univ. of WI) have done a lot of work/research on light straw/claw. Their website is: www.designcoalition.org/Among other things, they've figured out how to do an entire house in LS/C in a day or two with a crew of 8-10. Pretty impressive. -john |
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