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Why Straw/Clay Construction?

For some years now, we have explored different alternative construction techniques.  With the building of a new store and house in mind, we experimented with Styrofoam ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) construction as well as straw-bale construction.  While both of these popular alternative construction methods have advantages, they also had aspects we didn’t like.  With the Styrofoam ICFs, we didn’t like the cost, inflexibility, environmental impact, potential toxicity or the construction process.  With straw-bale construction, the unpredictability of straw and difficulty of keeping it square, plumb and straight were issues. Also, vulnerability to mice and water as well as difficulty in achieving quality finish detail made us continue to seek for a better way.  That is when a friend in British Columbia introduced us to straw/clay construction and its North American pioneer, Robert Laporte.

In straw/clay (light clay/straw to be precise) construction, one mixes loose straw with a clay and water mixture, which is then compacted into formed wall cavities.  By adding the clay and water, you are in essence adding a glue mixture as well as thermal mass.  The glue mixture holds the straw together beautifully, keeping it place after the forms are removed, while at the same time providing a water-wicking protective covering for the straw.  The thermal mass helps keep the house warm and cozy in the winter and refreshingly cool in the summer. 

The straw/clay walls are one foot thick and have no vapour barrier, allowing the entire building “to breathe”.  These combined features provide for unmatched interior comfort and air quality.

Unlike straw-bale walls that are uneven and have gaps that must be chinked, the straw/clay form system provides a perfectly smooth and straight wall and infinitely flexible window and door placement.  The walls are then easily finished off with a clay plaster, both inside and outside, which maintains the “breathability” of the walls and a delightful density.  Whether because of this effect or something more “far-out,” like the molecular resonance frequency, these walls have an almost magnetic-like attraction that makes you want to reach out and touch them.

This building method remedies the shortcomings of the alternative systems we examined while meeting all our criteria:

- Relatively easy to execute,
- Utilizes readily available and sustainable resources,
- Highly stable and resilient against deterioration with tremendous potential lifespan,
- Unparalleled healthy living environment,
- Provides a wall with high insulation value as well as high thermal mass,
- Highly aesthetic, better detail, easier to finish. 

If you would like to learn how to implement this building technique for a straw/clay home of your own, then consider attending a straw/clay how-to seminar from August 3-7, 2009.  For workshop details, click here

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