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Check out these informative articles discussing the BUILDING of your TIMBER FRAME HOME below....

 

 

Alternative Building Methods

Design

* Smaller is better: Optimize use of interior space through careful design so that the overall building size--and resource use in constructing and operating it--are kept to a minimum.

* Design an energy-efficient building: Use high levels of insulation, high-performance windows, and tight construction. In southern climates, choose glazings with low solar heat gain.

* Design buildings to use renewable energy: Passive solar heating, daylighting, and natural cooling can be incorporated cost-effectively into most buildings. Also consider solar water heating and photovoltaics--or design buildings for future solar installations.

* Optimize material use: Minimize waste by designing for standard ceiling heights and building dimensions. Avoid waste from structural over-design (use optimum-value engineering/advanced framing). Simplify building geometry.

* Design water-efficient, low-maintenance landscaping: Conventional lawns have a high impact because of water use, pesticide use, and pollution generated from mowing. Landscape with drought-resistant native plants and perennial groundcovers.

* Make it easy for occupants to recycle waste: Make provisions for storage and processing of recyclables: recycling bins near the kitchen, undersink compost receptacles, and the like.

* Look into the feasibility of graywater: Water from sinks, showers, or clothes washers (graywater) can be recycled for irrigation in some areas. If current codes prevent graywater recycling, consider designing the plumbing for easy future adaptation.

* Design for durability: To spread the environmental impacts of building over as long a period as possible, the structure must be durable. A building with a durable style ("timeless architecture") will be more likely to realize a long life.

* Design for future reuse and adaptability: Make the structure adaptable to other uses, and choose materials and components that can be reused or recycled.

* Avoid potential health hazards: radon, mold, pesticides: Follow recommended practices to minimize radon entry into the building and provide for future mitigation if necessary. Provide detailing that will avoid moisture problems, which could cause mold and mildew growth. Design insect-resistant detailing that will require minimal use of pesticides.

* Renovate older buildings: Conscientiously renovating existing buildings is the most sustainable construction.

* Create community: Development patterns can either inhibit or contribute to the establishment of strong communities and neighborhoods. Creation of cohesive communities should be a high priority.

* Encourage in-fill and mixed-use development: In-fill development that increases density is inherently better than building on undeveloped (greenfield) sites. Mixed-use development, in which residential and commercial uses are intermingled, can reduce automobile use and help to create healthy communities.

* Minimize automobile dependence: Locate buildings to provide access to public transportation, bicycle paths, and walking access to basic services. Commuting can also be reduced by working at home--consider home office needs with layout and wiring.

* Value site resources: Early in the siting process carry out a careful site evaluation: solar access, soils, vegetation, water resources, important natural areas, etc., and let this information guide the design.
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* Locate buildings to minimize environmental impact: Cluster buildings or build attached units to preserve open space and wildlife habitats, avoid especially sensitive areas including wetlands, and keep roads and service lines short. Leave the most pristine areas untouched, and look for areas that have been previously damaged to build on. Seek to restore damaged ecosystems.

* Provide responsible on-site water management: Design landscapes to absorb rainwater runoff (stormwater) rather than having to carry it off-site in storm sewers. In arid areas, rooftop water catchment systems should be considered for collecting rainwater and using it for landscape irrigation.

* Situate buildings to benefit from existing vegetation: Trees on the east and west sides of a building can dramatically reduce cooling loads. Hedge rows and shrubbery can block cold winter winds or help channel cool summer breezes into buildings.

* Avoid ozone-depleting chemicals in mechanical equipment and insulation: CFCs have been phased out, but their primary replacements--HCFCs--also damage the ozone layer and should be avoided where possible. Avoid foam insulation made with HCFCs. Reclaim CFCs when servicing or disposing of equipment.

* Use durable products and materials: Because manufacturing is very energy-intensive, a product that lasts longer or requires less maintenance usually saves energy. Durable products also contribute less to our solid waste problems.

* Choose low-maintenance building materials: Where possible, select building materials that will require little maintenance (painting, retreatment, waterproofing, etc.), or whose maintenance will have minimal environmental impact.

* Choose building materials with low embodied energy: Heavily processed or manufactured products and materials are usually more energy intensive. As long as durability and performance will not be sacrificed, choose low-embodied-energy materials.

* Buy locally produced building materials: Transportation is costly in both energy use and pollution generation. Look for locally produced materials. Local hardwoods, for example, are preferable to tropical woods.

* Use building products made from recycled materials: Building products made from recycled materials reduce solid waste problems, cut energy consumption in manufacturing, and save on natural resource use. A few examples of materials with recycled content are cellulose insulation, Homosotereg., Thermo-plyreg., floor tile made from ground glass, and recycled plastic lumber.

* Use salvaged building materials when possible: Reduce landfill pressure and save natural resources by using salvaged materials: lumber, millwork, certain plumbing fixtures, and hardware, for example. Make sure these materials are safe (test for lead paint and asbestos), and don't sacrifice energy efficiency or water efficiency by reusing old windows or toilets.

* Seek responsible wood supplies: Use lumber from independently certified well-managed forests. Avoid lumber products produced from old-growth timber unless they are certified. Engineered wood can be substituted for old-growth Douglas fir, for example. Don't buy tropical hardwoods unless the seller can document that the wood comes from well-managed forests.

* Avoid materials that will give off gas pollutants: Solvent-based finishes, adhesives, carpeting, particleboard, and many other building products release formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These chemicals can affect workers' and occupants' health as well as contribute to smog and ground-level ozone pollution outside.

* Minimize use of pressure-treated lumber: Use detailing that will prevent soil contact and rot. Where possible, use alternatives such as recycled plastic lumber. Take measures to protect workers when cutting and handling pressure-treated wood. Scraps should never be incinerated.

* Minimize packaging waste: Avoid excessive packaging, such as plastic-wrapped plumbing fixtures or fasteners that aren't available in bulk. Tell your supplier why you are avoiding over-packaged products. Keep in mind, however, that some products must be carefully packaged to prevent damage--and resulting waste.

* Install high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment: Well-designed high-efficiency furnaces, boilers, and air conditioners (and distribution systems) not only save the building occupants money, but also produce less pollution during operation. Install equipment with minimal risk of combustion gas spillage, such as sealed-combustion appliances.

* Install high-efficiency lights and appliances: Fluorescent lighting has improved dramatically in recent years and is now suitable for homes. High-efficiency appliances offer both economic and environmental advantages over their conventional counterparts.

* Install water-efficient equipment: Water-conserving toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators not only reduce water use, they also reduce demand on septic systems or sewage treatment plants. Reducing hot water use also saves energy.

* Install mechanical ventilation equipment: Mechanical ventilation is usually required to ensure safe, healthy indoor air. Heat recovery ventilators should be considered in cold climates because of energy savings, but simpler, less expensive exhaust-only ventilation systems are also adequate.

* Protect trees and topsoil during sitework: Protect trees from damage during construction by fencing off the "drip line" around them and avoiding major changes to surface grade.

* Avoid use of pesticides and other chemicals that may leach into the groundwater: Look into less toxic termite treatments, and keep exposed frost walls free from obstructions to discourage insects. When backfilling a foundation or grading around a house, do not bury any construction debris.

* Minimize job-site waste: Centralize cutting operations to reduce waste and simplify sorting. Set up clearly marked bins for different types of usable waste (wood scraps for kindling, sawdust for compost, etc.). Find out where different materials can be taken for recycling, and educate your crew about recycling procedures. Donate salvaged materials to low-income housing projects, theater groups, etc.

* Make your business operations more environmentally responsible: Make your office as energy efficient as possible, purchase energy-efficient vehicles, arrange carpools to job sites, and schedule site visits and errands to minimize unnecessary driving. In your office, purchase recycled office paper and supplies, recycle office paper, use coffee mugs instead of disposable cups. On the job, recycle beverage containers.

* Make education a part of your daily practice: Use the design and construction process to educate clients, employees, subcontractors, and the general public about environmental impacts of buildings and how these impacts can be minimized.

by: Ken Roseboro

A Swiss architect adapted an effective European building technology to the U.S. and is helping to solve the growing problem of waste wood. Hans Walter, founder of K-X Industries, opened a manufacturing facility in Arkansas to transform waste wood into Faswall®, a durable, energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound building material.

Patented process produces Faswall blocks Faswall blocks are manufactured at two facilities in Little Rock. At the 20,000 square foot K-X Aggregate plant, recycled wood chips are mixed with mineral solutions in a patented process. The minerals seal the chips to make them resistant to rot, decay and mildew. Next, Portland cement is mixed with the K-X® Aggregate, and a casting machine molds the mixture into blocks. The Faswall blocks cure for three weeks, then the top of the blocks is trimmed for a precise, smooth edge. The finished Faswall blocks are 16 inches long, 11 1/2 inches wide, and 8 inches high, about the same size as standard concrete blocks. Because the blocks contain 85% wood fiber, they weigh less than one-half as much as concrete blocks. They can also be sawed, nailed, glued, and worked with standard carpenter's tools. To build a structure, the Faswall blocks are stacked dry without mortar joints to create a wall. Steel re-bar is set horizontally and vertically within the stacked blocks and concrete is poured in them. This creates an interlocking "post and beam" grid effect, which makes the wall exceptionally strong. Plaster can be applied over a Faswall wallform and sheetrock can be screwed or nailed to it. On the outside, stucco adheres to Faswall, while brick, veneer, siding, and drywall can be anchored to the forms.

Robert LaPorte, owner of Econnest and timber frame builder in Santa Fe, New Mexico, often uses Faswall for foundation stem walls on timber frame homes. This takes the footing out of the ground and above the moisture line. He says the height can range anywhere from one to eight-feet, depending on snow height and slope of the ground. LaPorte says Faswall is superior to concrete block because it is easy to handle, cuts easily, and can be applied directly to plaster. Also, the blocks are self-insulating. "I really like it," LaPorte says. "It is a good environmentally sound product, and it requires less labor to complete than a finished concrete wall." LaPorte says Faswall can also be an effective alternative to stress skin panels as a wall enclosure. LaPorte recommends wrapping a timber frame house with Faswall, so the timbers aren't visible on the outside. He says Faswall provides both insulation and mass that stores heat, while stress skin panels only insulate. A Faswall wall is also more aesthetic. "You can create deep window wells and window seats," LaPorte says. "Also a thick wall is very comforting; there's a timeless quality to it."

Energy-efficient, strong, and environmentally sound The Faswall building system offers many advantages for timber framers. Walter says Faswall reduces construction time by 20% and cost by 5%. A Faswall building can be constructed much faster because the forms weigh much less than concrete and require no mortar. A completed Faswall form filled with concrete provides insulating values from R-18 to 24. A 21,000 square foot Faswall structure in Iowa City, Iowa, has winter heating bills of about $300 per month, the amount many homeowners pay. Because of its strength, a Faswall structure can withstand hurricane winds and earthquakes. Faswall resists rot, mildew, vermin, and has a fire resistance rating of over 4 hours. Thaw and freeze tests show that Faswall performs better than concrete because of the capillary action of the wood fibers. Faswall blocks can be manufactured using existing concrete block equipment.

Faswall blocks are non-toxic. The porous composition of the blocks allows a slow interchange of air, producing a "breathing" wall effect. This prevents heat from escaping in winter, keeps cool air inside during summer, helps maintain good air quality, and reduces the possibility of sick building syndrome.

George Swanson, a Texas architect, has designed some 80 Faswall buildings in Iowa and Texas. These include 40 in the Austin area. He cites the breathable quality of Faswall as a main benefit. "Many homes and buildings constructed today have poor air quality because they're sealed so tight," Swanson says. "With Faswall, the entire wall acts as a fresh air exchanger to create good air quality and a healthier building."

One of Hans Walter's main goals was to create a building system that preserves the environment. Faswall blocks are made of recycled wood, and a Faswall building requires much less lumber, which helps conserve forests. Faswall also reduces the burden on landfills. Walter estimates that 9.6 million tons of wood waste will be created in the U.S. this year and half of it will be burned, dumped, or buried in landfills. According to Walter, just 1.6 million tons of waste wood could produce enough Faswall blocks to build nearly 300,000, 1800 square foot homes.

Based on straw and clay technique Faswall is based on a building technique that has been used in Europe for hundreds of years, according to George Swanson. The original technique used a mixture of straw and clay. This evolved into the wood-concrete wallform system, which has been popular in Europe for the last 60 years. Hans Walter became an expert in the system and built homes for over 30 years using the technology.

Walter founded Insul Holz-Beton International, Inc., in 1987 to introduce the system to the United States. "Insul Holz-Beton" means insulating wood-concrete in German. The company is based in Windsor, South Carolina. K-X Industries is a wholly owned subsidiary of Insul Holz-Beton, International, Inc. It took Walter six years to develop the K-X process, which he patented in 1992. Insul Holz-Beton licensed the K-X process to a Midwest company in 1994. Since then, Faswall has been used to construct over 300 homes and a variety of commercial buildings nationwide.

Growing demand seen for Faswall K-X Industries ships Faswall blocks all over the U.S. from its Little Rock plants. Hans Walter plans to expand production and is speaking with concrete block manufacturers nationwide about producing Faswall blocks. He says this plan will make Faswall available regionally by the end of 1999. For more information about Faswall, call Insul-Holz Beton at 800-491-7891.

Enclosing your Timber Frame

Attaching the panels to a timber frame or log home is quite simple...Panels are lifted into place and attached to the frame by long spikes or screws. Splines are screwed into spline grooves and the next panel is pushed into place. After the panels are screwed in, the window and door openings are cut.

Timber Frame Enclosure

If you are building a timber frame home or are considering building one, you should consider your choices for enclosing the frame once it's complete.

A timber frame home makes a statement about your identity that conventional buildings don't make. You have opted to spend more per square foot than conventional construction would have cost. You have decided to make the structure of your home not only visible, but fully displayed. You have decided to build one of the strongest, longest-lasting structures that can be built.

Often, the professional that erects the timber frame is only interested in getting the frame and the general contractor is not as familiar with options for the next phase of construction, enclosure, as you would like him to be. The timbers that you paid so much for are out in the weather, and panic sets in about how to get them covered before the sealing process gets too cumbersome.

There are basically three choices for enclosure:

1. Stick frame
2. Wrap and strap
3. Panels

Generally contractors will only be familiar with stick frame as an enclosure option. In stick frame enclosures, the walls are built as if the timberframe were just another stud. The walls are built with studs between the posts or bents and the timberframe holds up the roof. There are three problems with this method:

1. The timberframe has already used enough first growth timber for one house, studs are excessive, especially since they are not necessary to hold up the roof
2. Conventional construction is energy inefficient
3. It takes too long to build the structure twice, which is what you're doing if you use conventional stick frame for the enclosure

Many timber framers use a system called wrap and strap, which is a better system that stick frame in that it uses less lumber and is more energy efficient, but it is also time-consuming and costly. Most contractors are not familiar with the process, so the timber framer must build the wrap and strap enclosure (usually against his will) and you end up paying artisan wages for basic construction to get the enclosure built. If rigid foam is not used as the insulation material, the energy efficiency of the structure is only slightly better than stick frame and if rigid foam is used, there are enough gaps between foam and wrap and strap materials to allow air spaces which can cause problems over time.

More and more timber framers are recommending the use of enclosure panels to finish the enclosure. Panels are made by laminating rigid foam to osb and other building materials to form a sandwich panel. Various panels used are structural insulated panels (engineered with osb on both sides-when roof or floor spans are over 12'), stress skin panels (also osb on both sides but not engineered-for spans up to 12'), osb /gyp panels (spans of 16" to 48"), and nailbase panels (osb on one side only- used over structural decks like T&G ceilings) for insulation and a nailing surface. Other specialty panels are also available. Panels come in sizes from 4' by 8' by 4" thick up 8' by 24' by 121/4" thick.

Panels have a number of advantages over other enclosure methods:

1. They're faster to install
2. They do not use lumber (osb splines are used to connect them to each other and the structure handles the roof load)
3. They're stronger in shear and racking than stick frame or wrap and strap
4. Often panels are less expensive as an enclosure due to reduced labor
5. They are the most-energy efficient alternative available.

Often energy bills can be reduced 40% or more by switching to panel enclosures. Many homeowners also report significant noise and draft reduction as well as less heat convection in panel enclosed home.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) are an excellent option for hybrid timber frame homes, homes where part of the structure is timber frame and part is not. Often timber framers and contractors are unaware of this option, so it may be wise to bring it up.

There are a number of panel manufacturers throughout the country. Keywords for your search engine include Structural Insulted Panels, Stress Skin Panels, and Building.

About the author: Butch Johnson is the Panel Marketing Director for Perma R Products in Johnson City, Tennessee. He is an avowed "Panelhead" and enthusiastically endorses stress skin and structural insulated panels in residential construction.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are made of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), or urethane, foam sandwiched between exterior layers of Oriented Strand Board (OSB), plywood, or other structural material, and adhered under pressure with a structural adhesive. The panels are engineered for construction use and come in sizes ranging from 4' by 8' by 4" thick to 8' by 24' by 12" thick. Their strength is based upon the same physics principles as the "I" Beam and they can be used to build walls, roofs, and floors significantly stronger than conventional construction techniques. They also have better insulation per inch of thickness than Fiberglass and better insulation at lower temperatures and higher humidity than Fiberglass for decreased energy usage for heating. As a result, the U.S Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency (see EPA/DOE Energy Star program) are both proponents of the use of SIPs in construction.

SIPs offer a superior alternative to stick-framing or concrete block structures because they provide for more strength and flexibility and are more energy efficient. SIPs also reduce construction time and costs since they can be assembled easily and quickly. In this discussion structural insulated building panels may also be referred to as SIPS, building panels, or sandwich panels.

The panels are used in residential and commercial buildings for walls, floors and roofs, and they come in a variety of thicknesses, widths and lengths. The two continuous structural faces provide the panels with the necessary strength to take axial loads, out-of-plane bending, shear loads, and in-plane shear loads. Typical roof spans are in the 12' to 22' range (depending upon osb and foam thickness) and floor spans are in the 8' to 16' range.

Panels are fastened together with wood or osb splines and zinc galvanized screws or ring shank spikes. Dimensional lumber (2 x) is used for top and bottom plates and for headers and sills. Panels are typically rated as header material up to 4'. Once a foundation is completed, a panelized shell structure can be completed in a matter of days. One erection contractor quotes 3 days of erection time per 1,000 square feet of building. Because panels can be assembled easily and quickly, less material is wasted, and construction costs are lowered. A typical 1,600 square foot home takes three to five days to assemble, including floor, walls, and roof.

Furthermore, panels can be manufactured with exterior sidings such as T1-11 structurally bonded to the foam core. This means it is not necessary to side the building, thus saving time and money. Additionally, since the insulation is bonded to the sheathing there is no shrinkage of materials saving time and money. Testing is underway to allow a structural gypsum product as cladding for one side, which would create a nearly finished panel.

SIPs utilize a thick core of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) which creates high R-Values and low U-Values (R-Value = measure of the resistance of a building component to the passage of heat. U-Value = the coefficient of heat transfer). Foam construction eliminates the voids common with Fiberglass insulation. For these reasons, air temperature and quality are easily controlled, which allows heating and air conditioning costs to be drastically reduced. Audits have proven that money is saved year after year in these super-insulated, airtight structures. EPS is also recyclable, where most other foams and insulation products are not.

It is also important to note that the skins of SIPs are made of Oriented Strand Board (OSB), which is made with new growth "junk" wood (Aspen, jack pine, etc.) which can be regenerated in five to ten years rather than old growth lumber such as redwood, ponderosa pine or yellow pine, which are necessary in stick-frame construction. The panels use one-fourth as much wood as stick-framing methods. The EPS is manufactured without the use or production of CFCs or HCFCs. Since the insulation is bonded to the sheathing there is no shrinkage of materials saving time and money.

Buildings using SIPs are stronger than traditionally built structures. They can withstand winds in excess of 160 mph, ground movement, seismic torsional forces, freeze and thaw movement, and seismic class 4 standards. Residents report less creaking and overall noises associated with standard systems, as well as reduced draftiness, and reduction of sound transmission through the walls. Molds, mildews, and dust are reduced. Typical maintenance, such as painting and roof repairs decrease due to reduced thermal joint expansion.

Panel buildings are more fire resistant than stick-frame buildings because there are no air cavities in the walls to create a "chimney effect." The UBC-17-5 (15 minute) corner burn test has been passed by most manufacturers, and this is an industry standard.

The highly streamlined on-site construction process allows flexibility to build in any area in any season, compared to other construction techniques which are weather-sensitive. Panels are particularly economical for simple residential and commercial building designs. Walls are more stable than stick-frame construction.

The technology for structural insulated building panels has developed over the last 50 years. Recent political and economic issues have caused panel systems to become competitive with traditional construction methods. Specifically, rising lumber prices, and the fluctuating quality and availability of lumber has increased the economic advantage of panelized structures. In addition, as energy costs rise, state and federal agencies are raising the minimum standards for energy efficient structures. These trends will continue to increase the economic attraction of panel systems, for these panels produce well-built, strong buildings that can be constructed quickly, easily, and cost effectively. Production of osb is expected to increase to 18 - 20 times it's current production level, and prices are expected to fall by as much as 50%. This could reduce panel prices by as much as 20% over the next two years.

Panel shipping is only economical within a 300- 500 mile radius, although due to limited manufacturing production availability most manufacturers indicate that 30% or more of their business is shipped 1,000 or more miles away.

Structural panels typically bear a stamp indicating compliance with building standards and requirements. This stamp is authorized by a licensed structural engineer and will be backed up by regular third party inspections and in random factory testing. Plans of projects are usually stamped by a licensed structural engineer showing that the type and size of panels, their placement and layout, the size and location of beams, foundations and all other structural components are done pursuant to local building codes and standards.

The industry trade association is the Structural Insulated Panel Association at 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-7800 or by e-mail at sipa@aecnet.com. If you would like more information, my name is Butch Johnson, and I can be reached at (800) 251-7532 or by e-mail at sip@xtn.net. My company, Perma R Products, Inc. is located in Johnson City, Tennessee. Please visit the Perma "R" Products, Inc. web page at www.sipsproducts.com for pictures and construction details. SIPA has a web page at www.natraweb.com/keeper/sipa/. I will gladly share information regarding Structural Insulated Panels and sources throughout the U.S and Canada.

Although timber frame enclosure with stress skin panels is very popular, there is also the alternative of building a studded wall on the exterior of the timber frame structure. This is a favorable choice if you are constructing your timber frame home on a tight budget, have access to inexpensive lumber or own a sawmill.

Constructing a studded wall on the exterior of your timber frame building should be done using 2 x 6 studs in the same manner that a conventional wall is built. There is one difference, however. That is the wall is not a load bearing (i.e. weight bearing) wall. The exterior structure need only support the siding, interior wall and windows.

After completing your studded wall system, you may proceed with the plumbing, electrical work, insulation, siding, etc. in the same way a traditional home is done.

by Mitchel Sorin, A. I. A.

Historically, cultures around the globe have used natural and indigenous materials such as grass, mud, bamboo, and among others, yes, STRAW, to build durable, comfortable, inspiring shelters that have stood and continue to stand as testimony to the virtues of these materials and way of building. We look at these simple, yet elegant structures and feel something we cannot name: we feel a link to our ancestral past that stirs our consciousness and a sense of being that feels so real, yet remains elusive and mysterious. Why are we so moved? What is it about these structures that touches us so and why is this something to consider in today's culture?

Today, there is a growing need to find meaningful ways to re-connect and live in harmony with nature, rather than continue to resist its elemental forces. This is how our ancestors lived and it reveals one aspect of our human nature--that is, our desire to feel a sense of belonging to the world in which we live. How invigorating it is to our well-being when we go to nature to renew our sense of spirit. This is a familiar experience for most of us. And when we build with straw, a natural material of the earth, and surround ourselves in shelter made with this vital, living material, we can experience a similar sense of renewal. Through the memories and the inner psychic connections we form about this material within our consciousness, this material takes on a life and spirit of its own, a symbolic meaning, and it is this meaning and spirit that stirs our soul and reminds us of our essence and of our intrinsic link to nature.

In addition, not only do the inherent, natural qualities of the material contribute to our sense of connection and belonging, but in building with straw, we also have an opportunity to mold the material with our own hands--to embed textures, shapes, colors, and the feelings we hold in our consciousness into the forms we create, as our ancestral builders did, conveying a sense of our own individuality and expression in context with the larger natural order. And with our hands, we come to know the physical potential and limitations of the material as we learn what the straw will do and not do for us. Through these experiences we are reminded of the inherent forces and qualities of nature that we must continuously adapt to and harmonize with in order to sustain our spirit and the web of life. Thus, in some small way, building with straw is a means to rekindle that sense our ancestors knew long ago--an intuitive and innate sense we know about, but have nearly forgotten through the ages: that is, to build in harmony with our land and our surroundings with elements of nature and to impart a piece of who we are in the process gives meaning to our shelters and dwellings and a profound meaning to our lives. Building with straw presents an opportunity to build in a way that inspires us, touches our human spirit, and sustains our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. For this reason alone, building with straw represents a great opportunity that we should never lose sight of.

How to Use It:

Simply put, stack them up like big blocks and pin them together and you have a wall. Well, there's a little bit more involved than that, but basically, there are two methods for using straw bales.

• Nebraska Style: where the straw bales are used as a structural, load-bearing wall and designed to take the structural loading of the roof as well as resist the lateral wind loads exerted on the wall without any other means of structural support or framing other than the straw wall.
• Infill Style: where the straw bales are used as non-structural, non load-bearing infill walls in conjunction with a separate structural framework, typically of wood, such as timber frame or post and beam construction.

Why Use Straw?

• Energy efficiency: a typical straw bale wall will provide approximately R-40 thermal insulation value.
• Affordability: costs per bale per region vary. In Western North Carolina the cost seems to be in the range of $3-$3.50 per bale. (Check your region for local costs)
• Environmental: building with straw recycles an unwanted waste product that is usually burned off in the fields.
• Simple to work with: no special skills are required; however, it is generally advisable to have someone in the construction crew that is familiar with construction techniques to oversee and instruct the work crew.
• Empowering: building with straw allows one to reconnect with the building process, build their own shelter, and rekindle our sense of how to build in harmony with our environment thatgives meaning to our structures and inspires the human spirit.
• Builds community: when a group comes together to erect a straw bale wall, it is a powerful and profound experience that inspires and strengthens our sense of belonging.
• Sustainability: straw is a natural product that replenishes quite rapidly and can continually replace itself in the market place.
• Strength and durability: initial testing for compression and lateral loading indicates straw bale walls to be quite strong and elastic, allowing the wall to return to its original shape under temporary loading.
• Fire resistance: initial testing indicates straw bale walls, once plastered, provide better fire resistance than conventional wood stud wall construction due to elimination of typical air space that allows greater opportunity for combustion to occur.
• Seismic resistance: the flexibility and strength of straw bale walls appear to be excellent qualities for seismic design.
• Indoor air quality: straw bales inherently let walls "breathe," allowing natural outside air exchanges, reducing tendencies for "sick" building syndrome.

Making Shelter (in spite of the three little pigs)

Recently, there has been a revival in straw bale building--a revival that has espoused the significant virtues of building with straw, whether it be its environmental qualities, energy efficiency, sustainability, or host of others. All of these qualities are significant and noble aspects in their own right, but let's not lose sight of the very real intrinsic quality that I believe draws most of us to straw bale building--that it touches our soul and ignites our human spirit, giving meaning to our lives by allowing our humanity to flourish in the process. Christopher Alexander in his book, A Timeless Way of Building, puts it so eloquently: "There is one timeless way of building. It is thousands of years old, and the same today as it has always been . . . it is a process which allows the life inside a person, or a family, or town, to flourish . . so vividly that it gives birth, of its own accord, to the natural order which is needed to sustain this life." Building with straw is one of these ways, so appropriate today as it was centuries ago to nurture our well-being and sustain the human spirit! This alone is reason enough to continue to build with straw, then as well as now, in spite of the three little pigs!

Mitchel Soren is an architect who lives in Whittier North Carolina and has been involved in several straw bale projects.

By: Ken Roseboro

America's amber waves of grain may provide the answer to timber framers' need for a natural, non-toxic stress skin panel. Beginning January 1997, Agriboard Industries, based in Electra, Texas, will manufacture structural insulated panels from agricultural byproducts, such as wheat straw. Agriboard®, the core material of the panels, offers exceptional strength, resists fire, reduces noise, cuts utility bills, costs less than on-site wood frame construction, and helps farmers and the environment.

Intense heat and pressure compress straw into board. Agriboard will be manufactured in a 240-foot long linear extrusion mill, the first mill in the world to produce a 3 1/2-inch thick panel. The mill separates the straw into loose fibers, compresses it under intense 300-degree heat, and fuses it into solid 4-foot wide by 3 1/2-inch thick fiberboard. The mill uses only heat and pressure without chemical binders or toxic substances. The fiberboard is then wrapped in heavy duty Kraft paper and cut to pre-determined lengths. Two fiberboard panels are laminated between 7/16-inch oriented strand board (OSB) to form the Agriboard stress skin panel.

The lamination process protects the fiberboard panel from moisture and the elements when used as an exterior wall system. Vulnerability to moisture was a major drawback to an earlier generation of compressed straw panels. The finished Agriboard panels vary in thickness, depending on the application. Floor, wall, and roof panels will be manufactured in sizes up to nine feet wide, 16 feet long, and eight inches thick. Interior partition panels are made with a single thickness of Agriboard. Interior and exterior finishes such as sheetrock, paneling, brick, and siding can be applied directly to the panels.

Energy-efficient, fire resistant, and strong, agricultural fiber is a natural insulator, comparable in performance to the best insulation materials. Agriboard panels' insulation quality has been tested and rated at R-28.4 for walls and R-39.6 for roof assemblies, which means lower utility bills. Agriboard's high thermal massing provides additional energy efficiency to maintain a more even temperature in houses.

The panels also offer up to a two-hour fire resistance rating. An Agriboard panel resists combustion because of its dense, highly compressed cereal fiber core. When the face of the Agriboard core is exposed to an intense flame, it will char and then self-extinguish.

According to research conducted by the National Association of Home Builders and other groups, the Agriboard panel is stronger and quieter than other panelized housing products. Structural tests have shown Agriboard panels to be two to three times stronger than wood frame construction.

Agriboard benefits the environment and farmers. The panels are made from a renewable, non-toxic agricultural byproduct, thus reducing the need for wood and helping to save forests. Farmers will benefit from the sale of agricultural byproducts they usually discard, including wheat and rice, straw and switch grass. Agriboard Industries estimates it will provide an extra $6 million dollars to Southwest farmers over the next 10 years. This agricultural benefit led the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Alternative Agriculture Research and Commercialization Center to invest $850,000 in Agriboard Industries.

Ken Roseboro is a business writer based in Iowa.

Prazi ™ USA

Prazi U.S.A. is a small tool manufacturer, located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, about 5 miles from the Plymouth Rock, where the Pilgrims first settled in America.The tradesmen of the 20th Century are equipped with the most modern of tools, yet many jobs are still performed in the same manner as they were over 200 years ago.

We believe that in today's work place the tradesmen or Do-It-Yourselfer should be equipped with the most "labor and time saving" tools available. The following pages will allow you to review many of PraziTM. U.S.A. "labor and time saving" tools and see why Prazi products have been awarded many of the industry's top innovative awards.

Prazi ™ USA
Monday - Friday 1-800-262-0211 or 1-508-747-1490
FAX: 1-508-746-8655
for information and/or questions, prazi@praziusa.com

Barn Masters, Inc. - your Makita specialty timber framing tool source!

We have been designing and building timber frame structures since 1971. We started using these tools to help create our timber frame structures in 1985 and have been distributing them since then as well. Our crew has extensive experience with these tools from planing rough sawn timbers to cutting compound angle mortises and tenons. These Makita tools have revolutionized the way we have built our fine homes and barns by dramatically reducing the amount of time required for us to perform those "by-hand" cutting and drilling tasks that make timber frames a beautiful work of art.

In addition to having these tools ready for immediate delivery, we also stock replacement parts and accessory bits and blades for your convenience. One of the major advantages of purchasing these tools through Barn Masters, Inc. is the ability to consult with our knowledgeable staff about specific questions you may have regarding the use of these tools.

Barn Masters, Inc. is also a supporter of The Timber Framers Guild of North America. We have displayed these tools at numerous TFG conferences and, whenever possible, donated one of these tools at the conference auction to go towards the fund raising efforts of the Guild. We continue to feel strongly that the Timber Framers Guild of North America is an invaluable source of information and inspiration for timber framers and their projects throughout the world.

We are confident that you will be pleased with the value and operation of these tools. You will also be very satisfied with the time saved and consistent cutting these tools provide.

Please feel free to contact us via our email address on our web site if you have any questions after you review our tool information.

Good luck with your project!

Barn Masters, Inc.
P.O. Box 258
Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 865-4169
(207) 865-6169 (fax)

Finding A Timber Framer

Choosing a Timberframing Company

When selecting a company to timber frame your home, consider price, distance from your location and the type of work the timberframe company chooses to do (i.e. high end or low end). The best of professional craftsmen offer extremely precise work with companies such as Upper Loft or Thistlewood. Apprentice-built timber frames are available at a reasonable cost from Cowee Mountain Timber Frames.

Of course, there will be a great deal of difference in price between the top companies and the apprentice-built frames.

Another major factor in choosing a company is the distance the frame must be shipped. Trucks charge from 1.50 to 2.00 per mile. You will also have to pay the expenses for the crew to come to your site. As this can become very expensive, it is wise to consider an apprentice-built frame as the price may compensate for such costs.

General Timberframing Information

Sources for Traditional Products & Services:

Traditional Building:
"The Professional's Source for Historical Products"

"Traditional Building" is a highly specialized, national trade publication and Website. The Magazine reaches 54,600 architects, contractors, designers, and other building and landscape professionals who specify traditional products. The Magazine's editorial content is devoted to historical products: Where to find them, how to evaluate them, and how to use and install them. Published bimonthly, "Traditional Building" is for professionals involved with both restoration and new-construction projects.

"Traditional Building" has operated its Website since October 1995. Links and product information on more than 300 suppliers are currently indexed on the site. As a result, it has become the portal to traditional-product suppliers on the Web -- the place where building professionals begin their search for products and services for restoration, renovation, and new construction. By mid-1998, the site was attracting over 140,000 hits per month.

Traditional Building Magazine
69A Seventh Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone (718) 636-0788 Fax
(718) 636-0750
www.traditional-building.com
E-mail htcstaff@traditional-building.com