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TERMOPAIE®

An ecological and very performant thermal insulation made of straw

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Although at first glance it seems to be an unusual building material, straws have a rich history in construction, from the first straw bale houses built in North America in the 17th century. For more than 200 years, organic straw houses, either in the form of bales or panels, have been a trend that has become more popular in the last 40 years.

 

Wheat straw (or other similar cereals) is a plant, natural and environmentally friendly product made from photosynthesis, fed by the sun, which requires only small amounts of energy for processing. It is a by-product of cereal production and is considered a waste, although it is currently used for animal bedding, as a biofuel, and increasingly used in the construction industry.

The NIDUS Homes are insulated with straw using the "blow-in loose chopped straw" technology . This implies that the straws are very well cleaned and sifted by dust and impurities in repeated processes, then they are chopped and blown into the modular timber frame structure at a density of 100 kg/m3. Humidity is controlled below 14%, in order not to influence the thermal performance and to prevent the appearance of mold. This technology allows us to prefabricate the modules in a very short time.

NATURAL MATERIAL

only wheat straw, tritical barley without additives or chemical compounds

GREAT
INSULATION

transfer coefficient λ=0,038-0.044 W/mK at a density between 

90-110 kg/m3

CARBON DIOXIDE

ABSORBER

by photosynthesis from the atmosphere and stores 1.35 kg CO2/kg of material

RENEWABLE

RESOURCE

the raw material comes from locally produced annual crops

GOOD
SOUNDPROOFER

due to the high density of straws in the walls, floor and roof

  • How does a thatched house behave on fire?
    Straw is an organic material and therefore a combustible material. But very importantly, the fire resistance class of the system (structure-thermal insulation-finishes) is largely determined by the materials covering the thermal insulation of straw (in our case, clay tiles on the inside and heat-treated wood or folded sheet on the outside). Loose straws burn very easily, but once pressed in the form of bales, slabs or in a wall (often at 95-130 kg / m3), fire resistance increases as the level of oxygen between the straw fibers decreases, which maintain combustion. Also, the high content of silicates in the straw, between 3-14%, prevents the spread of fire: as it starts to burn, a charred layer is formed which insulates the rest of the straw from the inside. Details of an experimental study on a wall of straw bales tested according to ISO Standard 834-1 since 1991 can be accessed here .
  • How strong is a thatched house?
    The strength and rigidity of the house is given by the modular wooden structure, which complies with all the specifications and regulations of the norm P100-1: 2013. Straws act only as a thermal insulation and have no load-bearing role.
  • Can't mold form in the thermal insulation of straw?
    Every organic material can be affected by the appearance of mold. Mold is a powerful life form that grows especially in hot and humid areas. However, wheat straw naturally contains materials such as minerals, silicates and pectin, and is therefore more difficult to penetrate by fungal spores. However, a low and constant level of humidity must be ensured, as is the case for any kind of insulation. Thermopylae® have the ability to guide moisture through its capillaries to drier areas. Thus, the moisture circulates back into the room, which leads to a beautiful climate in winter and summer.
  • Aren't there problems with rodents that can get into the walls?
    No. Straws are, due to the large amount of minerals and silicates, very difficult to digest by the vast majority of living things. The only exceptions are guinea pigs, horses and cows. Due to the high density of the material in the structure, it becomes impossible for potential pests / rodents to penetrate the wall - they prefer polystyrene or other materials that are easier to penetrate. Moreover, the walls of the Nidus natural modular house are still clad in the factory with both a layer of board and the interior and exterior finishes of clay and heat-treated wood, respectively.
  • How long do organic straw houses last?
    Straw bales are much more durable than expected. Houses dating back to the early 1900's are still standing in America (the first thatched houses appeared in Nebraska in 1880). In fact, since straw is a natural fiber, it can last for hundreds or even thousands of years under favorable conditions.
  • How does the straw insulation behave under fire conditions?
    Straw is an organic material and is therefore combustible. But very important, the class of fire resistance of the house (structure-insulation-finishes) is largely determined by the materials that cover the straw insulation (in our case, clay panels on the inside and heat-treated wood or laminated metallic sheet on the outside). Free straws burn very easily, but once pressed in the form of bales, panels or in a wall (often at 95-130 kg / m3), fire resistance increases, as the oxygen level (which sustains combustion) between the straw fibers decreases. Also, the high content of silica in the straw, between 3-14% prevents the spread of fire: as it begins to burn, a charcoal layer is formed on the surface of the wall that isolates the rest of the straws inside. p> Details about the experimental study on a straw bale wall tested according to ISO Standard 834-1 from 1991 can be accessed here. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316463900_Fire_Resistance_of_the_Straw_Bale_Walls
  • Is a straw house structurally resistant?
    The strength and rigidity of the house is given by the wooden structure, which complies with all the specifications and regulations of P100-1: 2013. Straws act only as a heat insulation and do not have a bearing role.
  • Isn't mold a problem for a house straw house?
    Each organic material can be affected by the appearance of mold. Mold is a powerful form of life that develops especially in hot and humid areas. Wheat straws naturally contain materials such as minerals, silicates and pectin, and are therefore more difficult to penetrate by mushroom spores. However, a low and constant level of humidity must be ensured, as is the case for any type of insulation. TERMOPAIE® has the ability to guide moisture through its capillaries to drier areas. Thus the humidity flows back into the room, which leads to a comfortable climate in winter and summer.
  • Don't rodents break through the straw walls?
    No. Straws are, due to the large amount of minerals and silicates, very difficult to digest by the vast majority of life. The only exceptions are guinea pigs, horses and cows. Due to the high density of the material in the structure, it becomes impossible for potential pests / rodents to penetrate the wall - they prefer polystyrene or other materials that are easier to penetrate. Moreover, the walls of the NIDUS Homes covered from the factory with a layer of wood, as well as with clay panels the interior and heat-treated wood or laminated metallic sheets on the exterior as finishes.
  • What is the lifespan of a straw house?
    Straw bale houses are much more durable than expected. Homes dating to the early 1900s are still standing in America (the first straw houses appeared in Nebraska in 1880). In fact, since straw is a natural fiber, it can last hundreds or even thousands of years under favorable conditions.
  • Wie steht es um das Brandverhalten von TERMOPAIE?
    Stroh ist ein organisches Material und daher brennbar. Sehr wichtig ist jedoch, dass die Feuerwiderstandsklasse des Hauses (Struktur-Dämm-Oberflächen) weitgehend von den Materialien bestimmt wird, die die Strohdämmung bedecken (in unserem Fall Lehmplatten auf der Innenseite und wärmebehandeltes Holz oder lamin). > Freie Stroh ist sehr leicht einzündlich, aber sobald es in Form von Ballen, Paneelen oder in einer Wand (oft mit einer Dichte von 95-130 kg / m3) gepresst wird, steigt der Feuerwiderstand, wenn der Sauerstoffgehalt (der die Verbrennung unterstützt) zwischen den Strohfasern abnimmt. Auch der hohe Gehalt an Kieselsäure im Stroh (zwischen 3 und 14%) verhindert die Ausbreitung von Feuer: Wenn es zu brennen beginnt, bildet sich auf der Oberfläche der Wand eine Kohleschicht, die den Rest der Strohhalme im Inneren isoliert. Details zur experimentellen Untersuchung an einer Strohballenwand, die gemäß ISO-Standard 834-1 von 1991 getestet wurde, findest du hier. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316463900_Fire_Resistance_of_the_Straw_Bale_Walls
  • Ist ein Strohhaus structurell beständig?
    Die Widerstandfähigkeit und Stabilität des Hauses wird durch die Holzrahmenstruktur vorgegeben, die allen Spezifikationen und Vorschriften von P100-1: 2013 entspricht. Stroh dient nur als Wärmedämmung und hat keine tragende Rolle.
  • Welche Lebensdauer hat ein Strohhauses?
    Strohballenhäuser sind viel langlebiger als erwartet. In Amerika stehen noch Häuser aus den frühen 1900er Jahren (die ersten Strohhäuser erschienen 1880 in Nebraska). Da Stroh eine natürliche Faser ist, kann es unter günstigen Bedingungen hunderte oder sogar tausende von Jahren halten.
  • Is Schimmel a Problem in a Strohhaus?
    Jedes organische Material kann durch das Auftreten von Schimmelpilzen beeinträchtigt werden. Schimmel ist eine kraftvolle Lebensform, die sich besonders in heißen und feuchten Bereichen entwickelt. Stroh besteht aus natürlichen Materialien wie Mineralien, Silikate und Pektin und sind daher für Pilzsporen schwieriger zu durchdringen. Es muss jedoch eine niedrige und konstante Luftfeuchtigkeit gewährleistet sein, wie dies bei jeder Art von Isolierung der Fall ist. TERMOPAIE® hat die Fähigkeit, Feuchtigkeit durch seine Kapillaren in trockenere Bereiche zu leiten. Dadurch fließt die Luftfeuchtigkeit zurück in den Raum, was im Winter und Sommer zu einem angenehmen Klima führt.
  • Brechen Nagetiere nicht durch die Strohwände?
    No. Stroh ist aufgrund der großen Menge an Mineralien und Silikaten für die überwiegende Mehrheit der Lebewesen sehr schwer verdaulich. Die einzigen Ausnahmen sind Meerschweinchen, Pferde und Kühe. Aufgrund der hohen Dichte des Materials in der Struktur können potenzielle Schädlinge / Nagetiere nicht mehr in die Wand eindringen. Sie bevorzugen Polystyrol oder andere Materialien, die leichter zu durchdringen sind. Darüber hinaus sind die Wände der NIDUS Öko-Holzhaus ab Werk mit einer Holzschicht sowie mit Lehmplatten im Inneren und wärmebehandeltem Holz oder laminierten Metallblechen im Außenbereich als Oberflächen versehen.
  • How does straw insulation behave in the event of a fire?
    Straw is an organic matter and is therefore combustible. But very important, the fire resistance class of the house (structure-insulation-finishes) is largely determined by the materials that cover the straw insulation (in our case, the clay panels inside and the wood heat-treated or laminated metal foil on the outside). Free straws burn very easily, but when pressed in the form of bales, panels or in a wall (often at 95-130 kg / m3), the fire resistance increases as the oxygen level (which maintains combustion) between the straw fibers decreases. In addition, the high silica content in the straw, between 3 and 14%, prevents the spread of fire: when it starts to burn, a layer of coal forms on the surface of the wall which insulates the rest of the straw from the 'interior. The details of the experimental study on a wall of straw bales tested according to the ISO 834-1 standard of 1991 can be found here. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316463900_Fire_Resistance_of_the_Straw_Bale_Walls
  • Is a thatched house structurally strong?
    The strength and rigidity of the house are given by the wooden structure, which complies with all specifications and regulations of P100-1: 2013. Straws act only as thermal insulation and have no role carrier.
  • Isn't mold a problem for a thatched house?
    Every organic matter can be affected by the appearance of mold. Mold is a powerful form of life that thrives especially in hot and humid areas. Wheat straws naturally contain materials such as minerals, silicates and pectin and are therefore more difficult to penetrate through fungal spores. However, a low and constant humidity level must be ensured, as is the case for any type of insulation. TERMOPAIE® has the ability to guide moisture through its capillaries to drier areas. Thus, moisture returns to the room, leading to a comfortable climate in winter and summer.
  • Don't rodents go through the walls of straw?
    No. Straws are, due to the large amount of minerals and silicates, very difficult to digest by the vast majority of life. The only exceptions are guinea pigs, horses and cows. Due to the high density of the material in the structure, it becomes impossible for potential pests / rodents to penetrate the wall - they prefer polystyrene or other materials that are easier to penetrate. In addition, the walls of the NIDUS houses were covered with a layer of wood from the plant, as well as clay panels on the inside and heat-treated wood or laminated metal sheets on the outside as finishes. / p>
  • How long is a thatched house?
    Straw bales are much more durable than expected. Homes dating back to the early 1900s are still standing in America (the first thatched houses appeared in Nebraska in 1880). Because straw is a natural fiber, it can last for hundreds or even thousands of years under favorable conditions.

Straw in the world

Manufacturers, builders and associations that develop straw based technologies

UP-Straw  

North West Europe

UP-Straw is a European research project with the aim of developing new technologies and solution  for processing and producing environmentally friendly building materials with and from straw. The budget of the project is 6.4 million euros and involves countries such as Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, Germany and France, where residential, commercial and public buildings with straw have been and are still being developed in different configurations: straw bales, panels, walls, or blown-in technology. It is the largest development project dedicated exclusively to the straw as building material.

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