Re: SB: Allergies and Strawbale and Rammed-earth

["Huff 'n' Puff Constructions" <huffnpuff@shoal.net.au>]

Dear Airlie

> anyone know of articles/studies/testimonies regarding allergenic
> concerns about these types of construction?

Only word of mouth and general observations.  With earthen render finished in
lime I have had no problems with our own buildings with no signs of mould or
smell.  It is a different story with one SB house that I recently visited
which used cement renders.  You can smell the mould through the truth
window.  The bales are 'dry' and went in dry, the building was built with
attention to detail and very well built by a professional builder.

So I have major concerns with moisture and cement renders as I do with any SB
walls that are not detailed well and with adequate moisture protection.  My
answer to the concerns is to point out the weaknesses in SB where poor design
and poor attention to detail is practiced.  Straw MUST be DRY and KEPT DRY at
all times, if it gets wet at any time it should be replaced if possible.

On the plus side I would also point out that SB buildings can offer a
chemical free environment for the occupants with many other well known
benefits of straw bale.

Just my observations.

The Straw Wolf.


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