Not sure which forum this actually fits in, but its 11 degrees out so this is as good a spot as any.
A developer has asked us to blow straw 4" thick into 50 exposed foundations. Each foundation is 2250 square feet total. Straw bales are 50-60lb bales. I have extrapolated an educated guess based on our average usage for seeding apps and was wondering just how close I may be.
Would like to hear from anyone else with experience in blown applied straw apps as to how many bales would be needed per each foundation.
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Rick Hayden
Hayden Landscaping Inc.
www.haydenlandscaping.com
without research I am inclined to disagree,
my thoughts were that air trapped is a good insulator, example windows in homes, they trap a layer of air between the glasses to better insulate. I don;t know what the "R" value of 4 inches of straw would be.
Fluffy insulates more than stringy. Blowing straw chews it up and fluffs it and spreads it out into thousands of tiny pieces instead of long solid strands. I've never seen anything that's called insulation come in long, random skinny strands. You'll also get more coverage out of blowing it.
...My guess might be around 30 bales (but I'm sure what size we use). Of course, when it gets wet it will compact. Why not blow a bale or two into a makeshift frame made of 2x4's that's about 100 sq. ft. in area? Saves on the guess work.
Last edited by johnkeegan : 12-08-2006 at 09:54 AM.
Originally posted by start2finish without research I am inclined to disagree,
my thoughts were that air trapped is a good insulator, example windows in homes, they trap a layer of air between the glasses to better insulate. I don;t know what the "R" value of 4 inches of straw would be.
its actually argon gas thats put in thermal pane windows, so thats not the best example IMO............look at blown insulation in attics........its small, chopped up and it settles to cover every nook and cranny..........
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Matt Thompson
Thompson's Landscaping
Henderson, NC
Originally posted by NCSULandscaper its actually argon gas thats put in thermal pane windows, so thats not the best example IMO............look at blown insulation in attics........its small, chopped up and it settles to cover every nook and cranny..........
the argon gas only last a few years and then it is just air.
i know old technology, the gas would last 5-7 years, with the technology they have now, you lose less than 1% of the gas per year, by the time the actual gas is gone, its time for new windows............but this is a totally different subject than straw insulation
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Matt Thompson
Thompson's Landscaping
Henderson, NC
I'm with the fluffy side of this debate. Fiberglass matt insulation is blown fiberglass and is rated in its fluffy state. When it becomes wet and gets matted or condensed, it loses "R" value.
Another comparison is the old school windows with storm windows. Dead air space between the two windows lessens heat loss, this is the way storm doors work too.
Fiberfill winter coats work in the same manner, air is trapped between the particles and adds to the insulating value.
With the job in question here, the contractor will need to cover the hay once it is blown in with either plastic or tarps and stake it so it is supported and doesn't compress the hay in order for it to remain effective.
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