Re: Sustainable Building Materials

["Jim Sealy Jr." <jimsealyjr@who.net>]

All this talk of Strawbale construction has me ready to give it a try
on a workshop already in construction as a polebarn. I thought I'd
have to wait on walls due to budget problems, but now am considering
strawbale for them. I already have a baler and access to neighboring
wheat fields which will be burned if I don't bale them, so would
appreciate seeing some 'work in progress' pics and stucco recipes if
anyone can point me to an URL.
Jim Sealy Jr

FranksFarm@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> In a message dated 1/15/99 1:11:21 AM, Eric S. wrote:
> 
> <<I admire your goals and wish you all the best.  I had similar thoughts when
> I started building, but didn't do such rigorous research.  I did look into
> many alternatives, evaluating each.  As I got into the project,
> "practicality" raised its ugly head and distracted me from more important
> things.  I continually found pros and cons to products - no clear answers-,
> and we had self-imposed limits on time and money.>>
> 
> I sure do empathize with Eric's comments above.  Claer cut answers are hard to
> find....but why. Is there not enough consensus among the leading sustainable
> architects, and designers? Have the systems not been tested long enough?
> 
> I have the same kind of " program " as Dawn. I don't want to live in a yurt,
> or a beer can walled home. I want to build more efficiently and sustainably
> than most...but I don't want to live in a teepee.  For me compromises are
> inevitable. $$$ are a major consideration. Yet I don't want to sacrifice
> qulaity, and long term lower costs.
> Just trying to make a decision on a heating system is a chore. I like the idea
> of ground source heat pumps, but not the cost. I like the eidea of using
> wood...but am concerned over dangers of fires, storing wood inside for
> convenience, hassles of dealing with proper wood burning etc.
> Outdoor wood furnaces seem a real posssibilty...but don't know enough about
> them despite company literature:)
> 
> And it goes on. Sure wish someone more knowledgeable would post their best
> recommendations on same keeping budgets in mind.  Best to all.   Frank
> 
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