Tama Assist What You Need To Know About Straw For Construction
Sustainable building methods like straw bale building are becoming popular. This method is not only adaptable and affordable, but straw bales also provide thermal insulation, which can reduce energy consumption.
Straw bales can be used for load-bearing walls or as non-load-bearing infill within a structural framework. This has led to a stronger demand for dry, well-compacted straw bales from farms.
If you’re already producing straw, a few adjustments in baling and bale materials can open up new income streams in producing straw for construction. The success, however, depends on dry, dense and consistently-sized straw bales.
Farmers traditionally use straw for bedding, forage or mulch. But in the straw market, there is a growing segment of buyers; those designing eco homes and working on low-carbon sustainable housing.
If you are considering supplying straw for construction, keep in mind what your buyer will require. When designing, they are looking at how much the bale will compress under load; the best straw bales should only yield 10mm (3/8”) per bale. ‘Construction grade’ straw requires bales to have a density of at least 80 kg/m³ and a moisture content below 20%.
To meet the needs of straw bale builders, your bales must be:
- Dense and uniform in size – set baler to maximum compression
- Free from seed heads
- Made with long straw fibres – straws should be at least 150mm long
- Vermin-free
If you aim to become a straw merchant and supply straw bales for construction, choose eco-friendly baling products that reflect the sustainability ethos. Builders focused on low-impact construction will see the value in that.
That is where eco-friendly TamaCycle twine can really make a difference. TamaCycle is made using recycled materials, so it uses fewer new resources while still providing the optimal strength needed for a solid, dense straw bale. Alternatively, choose economical TamaTwine for small square bales.
Although straw for construction is growing in demand, it is only one aspect of the growing uses for straw. Farmers are having success supplying chopped straw for livestock and pet bedding, mulching, soil improvement, composting, and bioenergy.
Straw for compost must be combined with a nitrogen-rich raw material to speed up the compost process.
Use straw for mulch to retain soil moisture, add organic carbon to your soil and suppress weed growth.
Straw is added to livestock feed to add fibre, but it has low nutritional value and must be supplemented. It can be treated with additives or ground, soaked, boiled or fermented, to increase its nutritional value.
Buyers are also looking for clean straw for use in mushroom growing, horticulture and even soil erosion control. These alternative straw markets can provide additional income and supply niche markets.
Interested in entering the construction-grade straw market? Talk to Tama about bale products for quality straw bales and the sustainability your buyers are looking for.