Archive for the ‘Testing results’ Category
Vapor Barriers
Vapor barriers often create more damage than they prevent in straw bale houses. Why then are they required in straw bale building codes? The answer is not complicated; however, the impact of vapor barriers on homes of all types is.
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Update on Straw Bale Projects and a Wall Street Journal Article About Straw Bale Wall Fire Testing
Sorry it has been so long since I last wrote. Things have been very busy around here with building and preparing all the paperwork necessary to start and fund the next four houses we will be building. We start the foundations of 2 next week, have one ready for baling, and one is a major remodel which starts with demolition in two weeks. We also have 2 more homes in the final design phase ready for bank funding next month. All in all, it is an exciting time. I recently received a copy of the article in the Wall Street Journal about the recent fire testing of straw bale wall assemblies. I have attached it here for you to read. The results of the fire testing will be up on the web for review by September. Keeps your eyes open for the report!
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Straw Bale Homes and a Wildfire
I received the following e-mail yesterday regarding the fire resistance of straw bale homes:
“I have a 10 year old straw bale house in Flagstaff, AZ. I heard that in the wildfires over the last few years that straw bale homes incinerated. Have you heard that?”
Here’s my reply:
Thanks for your email and you can take a deep breath of relief. No, that is absolutely not true.
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Straw Bale Wall Assemblies Pass Fire Testing
I received an email today from Bill Christensen, the proprietor of http://www.GreenBuilder.com. It holds some very exciting news on recent fire testing of straw bale wall assemblies. Of course, those of us building straw bale houses have known that they are extremely resistant to fire; however, now we have proof to back it up! Here is what Bill had to say:
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