Description
Book Synopsis The essential guide to prefab straw bale panels - an innovative spin on a widely used natural building method
Prefabricated straw bale wall panels combine the performance and low environmental impact of traditional straw bale with reduced labor and more consistent results. These structural insulated panels (SIPs) are built offsite and transported to the job site, or built onsite and tipped up into position. Essential Prefabricated Straw Bale Construction is a fully illustrated practical guide to this affordable, scalable method.
This indispensable manual includes a complete introduction to the use of prefabricated bale walls, packed with all the information you need to determine whether they are the right choice for your project. It covers:
- Specifications, engineering details and building code references
- Comprehensive step-by-step instructions and detail drawings
- Finishing and maintenance techniques
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Trade Review
...Hemp as a building material is one of the most important uses of this plant. Essential Hempcrete Construction explains this new technology in a clear and concise manner. With this information anyone wanting to use this material will have a great starting point. ---Steve Allin, Director, International Hemp Building Association and author, Building with Hemp In a field that is often beset with more wishful thinking than honest appraisal, Essential Hempcrete Construction stands out as a well-researched in investigation into the potential and promise of hemp-lime systems in the contemporary built-environment. ---Tim Callahan, co-author of Building Green and founding partner at Alembic Studio, LLC Hempcrete/hemp-lime construction is one of the simplest and most effective and affordable solutions for sustainable, healthy and energy efficient building available to mainstream builders and self-help enthusiasts alike. Magwood has years of experience of natural building and sound construction practice so this book provides excellent, well-illustrated, guidance." ---Tom Woolley, author, Building Materials, Health and Indoor Air Quality; Low Impact Building; and Hemp-Lime Construction Essential Hempcrete Construction is an informative and easy to read guide/instruction manual to building with hemp-lime. Magwood has been able to simplify the data for us and compare costs to other conventional building materials, he has also managed to keep it brief and to-the-point so as to quickly help us make an informed decision to build with hemp-lime or not. This book is a time (and money) saver - worth every penny. ---Greg Flavall, Hemp Technologies Collective Essential Hempcrete Construction is an exciting manual for homeowners, building teachers, building officials and contractors. Filled with photos and drawings that help all of us make choices that are ultimately going to support long lasting buildings. Solid and fun to read. ---Sukita Reay Crimmel, coauthor, Earthen Floors Chris Magwood has combined his deep understanding of building science with some fortuitous hands-on experience of working with hempcrete to craft this timely and detailed guide to the essentials of hempcrete construction. By simply mixing the lightweight core of hemp stalks (an agricultural byproduct) with lime it is possible to make an insulating material that can handle moisture without decomposing, has good structural qualities and thermal performance, is nontoxic and fire resistant, naturally sequesters carbon, and is ultimately completely recyclable. With the successful use of hempcrete in Europe for over a decade, hopefully this book will help usher in a new era of industrial hemp production in North America. ---Kelly Hart Chris Magwood's easy-to-read, thoughtful, and practical book on building with hempcrete is a must-have for my work as a designer and builder focused on resilient, natural, and low carbon construction. In a world increasingly threatened by climate change, practical solutions are needed now to lower our collective ecological impact as a building trade. Essential Hempcrete Construction is a critical tool in our toolkits. ---Ace McArleton, coauthor, The Natural Building Companion, and cofounder, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build LLC
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Rationale
Chapter 3: Material Properties and Appropriate Use
Chapter 4: Building Science Notes
Chapter 5: Material Specifications
Chapter 6: Design Options for S-SIPs
Chapter 7: Design Notes
Chapter 8: Construction Procedure
Chapter 9: Installation
Chapter 10: Tilt-up Construction
Chapter 11: Finishing Installed Walls
Chapter 12: Maintenance and Renovations
Chapter 13: Building Codes and Permits
Chapter 14: Tools
Chapter 15: Conclusion
Glossary
Resources
Appendix: Engineering with Straw Bale Panels in Canada
Index
About the Author
