Straw Insulation Value
Straw bale walls have achieved some extremely high r values though and they certainly have the capacity to deliver in terms of thermal insulation.
Straw insulation value. A major part of this variation may not be due to the straw itself but to the distribution and redistribution of moisture within the wall. Rosato asbestos insulation is the most authoritative source on asbestos properties and gives data for the thermal conductivity of asbestos in different forms and with varying temperatures for magnesia asbestos insulation at mean temperatures ranging from 100 f to 400 f the k value thermal. The values fall between r 2 38 p in parallel with the straw and r 3 05 perpendicular to the straw. Though straw bales can be used for load bearing walls in low rise applications the primary building benefit of straw bales is derived from their beneficial insulating qualities.
Strawbale insulation has been studied and tested in some of the coldest places in the world. The reported r value of straw bale walls varies from r 2 38 per inch to r 0 94 per inch. Notes on the r value k values of different forms of asbestos. This adds aesthetic value to the home as thick wall are expensive to achieve with conventional construction.
The thicker the bale the better the r value. However i have not seen an adequate explanation of the varying results. Homes insulated with straw bale can have insulation values of r 30 to r 35 or more. How do straw bales perform in terms of soundproofing.
The r value of strawbale varies between studies but is mostly consistent. Straw bale walls are at least eighteen inches thick. Reputable labs arrived at these measurements.