I remember seeing a TV show about using hay and insulation covered with stucco to build a school house. I haven't heard of it since and wondered why if it was a inexpensive building material and helped insulated against both heat and cold. Where can I find out about this method?
2007-01-13 02:45:52 · 6 answers · asked by silhouet57 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Well, they use straw, not hay. Hay has seeds and attracts pests, while straw does not. It's called "straw bale" building, and it's a pretty common alternative building method.
I'm sure that if you did an internet search for "straw bale building" you would get a lot of hits.
From what I understand, some alternative methods are better for certain areas of the country, because of the weather. So that may be why you haven't heard of it in your area.
The straw does not rot, it's sealed on all sides and never gets wet. It's very tightly packed so it doesn't get air really, either. Both water and air would be needed for decomposition.
2007-01-13 06:13:48 · answer #1 · answered by peanuts 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insulation materials shall have a flame spread index not to
exceed 25 with an accompanying smoke-developed index not
to exceed 450. All insulation shall be marked with this information.
If you used hay or straw and there was a fire you would be engulfed with thick smoke.
All insulation shall meet the Energy Conservation Code and shall
be labeled confirming the installed density and R-value .
Straw or hay meets neither of these code requirements .
If your home had a fire the insurance company would probably deny your claim .
2007-01-13 11:30:07 · answer #2 · answered by Lionman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, There was something in the local paper here about that for a home. Not hay AND insulation though, the hay was the insulation.
Here's a bunch of links from a simple google search.
2007-01-13 10:54:29 · answer #3 · answered by Wurm™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard of using bales of straw covered with stucco. This guy in Greene County, Virginia did it & I think he's made some kind of a business with it. There was a long article about in, I think, The Daily Progress (Charlottesville). He built this huge beautiful place. I'll try to find the article later today & come back to add it to my answer.
2007-01-13 10:57:47 · answer #4 · answered by broomhilda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a good idea as it is not treated with a fire retardant both straw and hay can and do catch fire on there own ask any farmer
2007-01-13 20:56:57 · answer #5 · answered by Fred S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fiberglass or cellulose is pretty cheap. it seemsto me straw or hay has moisture in it, which would rot and mold. stick to the standard.
2007-01-13 10:55:15 · answer #6 · answered by bdsee68 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋