Citation

Hawes, Mark, Straw and solar: a perfect renewable match. Home Power #35, pp. 62-66, June/July, 1993.

Abstract

Straw can be stalks of wheat, barley, oats, rye, flax or rice (or even tumbleweed) and are baled at different times around the country. As a rule you can "reserve" a specific number of bales with a modest holding deposit. In fact, as straw's popularity grows, I would encourage people to network and reserve. Supplies in certain area can be depleted, and from a cost viewpoint, the closer the supply, the better. Straw is baled with two-wire or three-wire balers. Two-wire bales generally measure around 18 inches wide, 14 inches tall, and 44 to 48 inches in length. Weight can range from 40 to 65 pounds depending upon the pressure setting on the baler.

Three-wire bales are about 24 inches wide, 18 inches tall, and 44 to 50 inches in length. Weight can approach 100 pounds, but generally stays between 70 to 90 pounds. Straw baled with too much compression can lost its R value. Bales should be firm and stiff but not solid or rock-like. R values for straw bale walls range between 32 to 45 as a rule. I used two-wire barley bales at about 50-55 pounds weight each, firm but not too compressed perfect for high R value walls.

Country, State, District, etc.

United States, New Mexico

Language

English

Material

straw, general

Use category

construction materials