Mon, 25 May 2026 09:15:59 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=42#Comment_42 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=42#Comment_42 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:20:18 +0000 Katymac
Would straw bales be a cost effective way of insulationg my walls

Can I put them outside the concrete block walls (to save space)

How do I finish them off? Render?

How do I do the edges for windows/doors/roof?

Or are straw bales expensive?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=45#Comment_45 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=45#Comment_45 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:32:47 +0000 skywalker
Amazon Nails do a download on straw bale building which may help:

http://www.strawbalefutures.org.uk/

Should be no reason you cant put them outside the block wall. Usually the finish is lime render but you can clad them in wood & in one famous instance in see through panels (this example was on Grand Designs and used in the Green Building Bible).

S.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=46#Comment_46 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=46#Comment_46 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:43:30 +0000 Katymac
Never mind there is always next week

I guess this should have been in Commercial]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=60#Comment_60 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=60#Comment_60 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:14:37 +0000 Nick Parsons https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=65#Comment_65 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=65#Comment_65 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:20:39 +0000 Mike George https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=79#Comment_79 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=79#Comment_79 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:01:51 +0000 Katymac
No-one has said whether it is cheap or not...........

When I was first looking at converting I was hoping to re-use the roof - as I now know I need a new roof, this becomes an option

How wide is a straw bale?? How much extra does that add on to the roof trusses & will it be a great increase in the cost?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=81#Comment_81 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=81#Comment_81 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:16:13 +0000 Mike George
Straw bales will probably not work out cheaper than any other insulation material in this instance. Their cost advantage comes by using them 'stand alone'

The cost of a straw bale itself is cheap, I have seen suggestions of anywhere between 50p and £2.50 each. I think the standard size is around 900mm long x 450mm wide x 300mm high]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=82#Comment_82 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=82#Comment_82 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:35:33 +0000 Katymac
This would make the roof trusses 11.9m (I assume I'd buy 12m ones as I presume they come in standard lengths

I am surprised we wouldn't need to damp proof the existing inside wall

Inside I would be painting it (to save money)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=103#Comment_103 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=103#Comment_103 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:38:49 +0000 Mike George
Regarding trusses, they are made to measure by the manufacturer so if you want to go for this it is worth contacting them regarding structural support etc. Try your local builders merchant to find out who makes trusses locally.

Whether you need a damp proof course on the existing wall depends whether there is one there allready.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=104#Comment_104 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=104#Comment_104 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:07:37 +0000 Katymac
So I will need a dpc (what's best to fit retrospectively?)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=105#Comment_105 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=105#Comment_105 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:21:08 +0000 Mike George
Not an easy decision as to which type of DPC. Silicone injection may be one way . Osmosis is another method which uses a titanium wire fixed around the perimeter. A very low electric current is run through the wire which keeps the damp at bay. It's a long time since I'v seen this and I don't know how much electricity it uses. Anyone?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=107#Comment_107 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=107#Comment_107 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:28:16 +0000 Nick Parsons https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=108#Comment_108 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=108#Comment_108 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:31:30 +0000 Katymac
If you cut out (the mortor - I guess) between the blocks to put slate in.......what stops the wall falling over?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=109#Comment_109 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=109#Comment_109 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:36:30 +0000 Katymac https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=110#Comment_110 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=110#Comment_110 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:36:50 +0000 Katymac https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=111#Comment_111 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=111#Comment_111 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:46:36 +0000 Mike George
Katymac, I think you need the Green Building Bible vol 1. All is reavealed there for a mere tenner!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=112#Comment_112 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=112#Comment_112 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:50:55 +0000 Katymac
I wonder if they have one at the library?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=113#Comment_113 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=113#Comment_113 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:00:28 +0000 Mike George https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=114#Comment_114 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=114#Comment_114 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:00:29 +0000 nigel
Vol 2 is more technical.

Surely a dpc could be injected fairly easily - you can even hire the equipment to do it yourself.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=116#Comment_116 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=116#Comment_116 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:14:50 +0000 Katymac
Go on then I'll order one.....maybe

Um Nigel I don't think so - Tiling & painting, Flatpack & wallpaper hanging maybe......anything more power tool orientated and it's a non-starter]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=118#Comment_118 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=118#Comment_118 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:18:16 +0000 Katymac https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=120#Comment_120 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=120#Comment_120 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:26:01 +0000 nigel
Very good reference at the very least.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=122#Comment_122 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=122#Comment_122 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:31:03 +0000 Katymac https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=176#Comment_176 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=176#Comment_176 Sat, 03 Feb 2007 17:18:42 +0000 Katymac
Plus labour plus however you fix them

Then I have to add the render - how much would 150 sqm of render cost? plus labour]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=248#Comment_248 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=248#Comment_248 Mon, 05 Feb 2007 20:16:07 +0000 Nick Parsons https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=251#Comment_251 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=251#Comment_251 Mon, 05 Feb 2007 20:21:38 +0000 Katymac
I was talking to my dad & he think cold bridge conmdensation will be my main problem (he doesn't beleive in rising damp)

He want to insulate the floor slab from the wall with 1 inch of insulation round the edge (which would be covered by a skirting board)
He has been looking at the booklet from Amazon nails and thinks that if I use Turbo blocks as my plinth (they will provide insulation at the base) possibley on gravel - to drain away any moisture from the straw bales

He thinks the internal wall will not be intrinsically(sp?) damp so would not need a dpc

What do you think?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=267#Comment_267 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=267#Comment_267 Mon, 05 Feb 2007 20:48:15 +0000 Nick Parsons https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=309#Comment_309 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=309#Comment_309 Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:31:40 +0000 Katymac https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=311#Comment_311 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=311#Comment_311 Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:04:19 +0000 Katymac https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=314#Comment_314 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&Focus=314#Comment_314 Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:20:44 +0000 Katymac