AirLight Building panels

[Cranky]

If you're thinking of building a garage or shop? May I suggest this company?
http://airlightbuildingpanels.com/

What's available for the ceiling? Most of heat loss is through the ceiling and in hot areas, heat soak will finally come through the attic insulation after several hours....

 

[Ranger16]

A few years ago there was an episode of "This Old House" on a straw bale house. They seemed to think it was a good idea. I really don't remember too much of the details. I think the sprayed a fire retardant on the straw and used non combustible materials for the inner and outer walls. Looks to me like it would be hard to keep mice out of the walls.

I recall seeing that episode as well. I'm sure it has very good insulation qualities, but I'm still a bit skeptical. I think I'd pass.

 

[mark zimmer]

What's available for the ceiling? Most of heat loss is through the ceiling and in hot areas, heat soak will finally come through the attic insulation after several hours....

You can use the panels for the ceiling or roof

 

[mark zimmer]

Not an ad... I am far from a farmer selling straw bales. Nor am I in the construction business. Just having fun poking at Mark. I am related to him and he does not know it.

How are we related?

 

[mark zimmer]

Believe it or not, when the bales are made there pack tight and I mean tight thus no shrinking or sagging. I am sure there is minor, but very minor.

Straw bail construction is kind of cool, but have you seen a house with a door jamb over 12 inches wide? What about window sills? You are still building with wood which warps. rots, burns, holds moisture (mold), and attracts termites.

 

[mark zimmer]

Welcome aboard... I think.
Mark my wife wants to build a house out of straw bales. Does your company sell them? Being I live in the north east they have great insulation properties. Im thinking about doing this for a new garage.
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[BeeKool]

A few years ago there was an episode of "This Old House" on a straw bale house. They seemed to think it was a good idea. I really don't remember too much of the details. I think they sprayed a fire retardant on the straw and used non combustible materials for the inner and outer walls. Looks to me like it would be hard to keep mice out of the walls.

The downfall to using lifestock fodder for insulation is that it attracts rodents.
In the old days it was a convenient idea that worked well out of necessity. Nowadays there are better ways.
I stack bales in the winter on the north side of my shop to help with wind and when I move them in spring there are mice. Couldnt imagine having walls lined w bales

 

[polywideblock]

don't you "render" both sides of a straw bale house /shed ? everything I've watched they "daub" both inside and outside surfaces

 

[Richard Cranium]

How are we related?

A brother from another mother?

 

[Fran Blacker]

Welcome aboard... I think.
Mark my wife wants to build a house out of straw bales. Does your company sell them? Being I live in the north east they have great insulation properties. Im thinking about doing this for a new garage.
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Fire hazard. Don't use a red wrench or smoke.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Fran Blacker? Reminds me of Frau Blucher.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Fran Blacker? Reminds me of Frau Blucher.

Oh Richard. Your garage and driveway look good.

 

[PlagueOfBadgers]

[QUOTE="mark zimmer, post You are still building with wood which warps. rots, burns, holds moisture (mold), and attracts termites.[/QUOTE]

Your 100 percent right about everything dealing with wood in construction "warps. rots, burns, holds moisture (mold), and attracts termites.".
I am all for newer better building materials. As for door/window openings bigger than 12", laminate beams, steel beams and so on. There are a lot of options available throughout construction materials. Everything has pros and cons and everything has limits.

I left the construction field many years ago. I went from being a laborer (while going to schools to get certified) to starting my own business within the construction world, still have my license and registered. I kept my licenses so I can legally do work for friends and family. I stopped working full time in this field because you can't make a living in New Jersey if your not building condos/apartments or buying 25 acres and squeezing in 50 house's in on 1/4 acre lots. I seen first-hand the garbage being built today (not making any statement about your product) talking about the stick built garbage we see going up now, and refuse to be part of it.
I enjoyed doing quality custom work and people don't want that anymore. They want cheap, fast for little money. I started my new adventure in life, started building log furniture and other custom furniture as a hobby.

 

[PlagueOfBadgers]

don't you "render" both sides of a straw bale house /shed ? everything I've watched they "daub" both inside and outside surfaces

Yes you are right the bales are not left exposed unless someone was to request it (I can't think why they would want that) it's usually plaster/ stucco on the inside and stucco on the outside. There is still wood framing for parts of the building but minimum. It's almost like building a post and beam structure and filling in the gaps with the bales. The bales are held in place with a number of thing's. You stack the bales like laying brick or block then they use re-bar down through the center of the bales to hold in place. I seen some people go a step further and use some kind of strapping materials wrapped around the bales.

 

[PlagueOfBadgers]

Mark, in a earlier post you said wood can attract bugs. I agree!

The pic below is one you posted, a section of the walls you use/sell for building.

How do you get rid of those bugs!!!!!
Come on now Mark, that's funny!

 

[mark zimmer]

Couple built there RV garage out of these panels.

 

[mark zimmer]

I will be at the Phoenix Home and Garden show this weekend.
Come check out our product.