SB: Bales in Floor

["S. G. Fawthrop" <S.G.Fawthrop@Eklectika.net>]

I am sure this hase been discussed a lot but the archives are not searchable
(anad Google did not help too much).

I am thinking of adding bales into the floor but am having trouble
justifying the extra expense to myself.   My thoughts are:

3" concrete on 3" gravel as a base.
2-string bales separated by 4" in each direction.
3" concrete on top.

It is hard to calculate the efficiency of this because I'm not sure what the
R-value of concrete is.  Maybe it is almost zero because as it is so good at
transferring heat.  Anyway, based on a ground temperature of between 45 and
50 degrees it seems to me that the bales would help reduce heat loss
considerably and the extra expense (estimated at about $3/sf) may be worth
it.

Does anyone have any comments?  I am located in the mountains of south-west
Virginia at an altitude of about 2800ft.

Thanks, Steve


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