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wrote:

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

wrote:

AIUI the basic problem with straw bale is that when render
deteriorates, or something allows water onto the straw, repairs must be
made rapidly else things deteriorate fast. And yer average jo isnt
nearly quick enough with repairs. So ideal for someone wililng to
inpsect it regularly and repair themselves promptly, but that just
doesnt describe most people.

Its the same for timber.

But with quite a different time scale. Wet timber lasts a few years,
wet straw lasts what, a few weeks?

Dunno. About 15 years for straw thatch, and up to 60 for reed?

That's fully exposed - but not dug-in-the-ground straw...

You have to look at what will decompose it.

Sodden straw in the ground is actually EATEN by things like nematodes.

Wod is attacked by fungi and wood biring insects etc.

Once in structure and even marginally drier than the ground, these
things don't happen.

Thatched rooves 'wear' more from constant pounding of water droplets for
example. Then build up of dust and dirt allows damp soil areas to
appeaar, and grass and other weeds and moss takes root...and the other
life then follows.

I would see the lifetime of a straw vbale wall doine decently as being
similar to timber - a couople of hundred years.

Maintenace would be a cinch. cut a hole, take our rotten, and stuff with
new straw and make good..

NT