I live in WI and am building a post and beam house from a 100 yr old barn. i will use straw bales around the frame. for a footing i will have a rubble trench below frost line with a concrete beam on top with 2" poly insulation around the out side of footing. also will have heated floors 2"poly under,(from a wood burner.) the straw bales will sit on 2" poly insulation on top of the rubble trench. MY quiestion is should the floor be keyed into the footing? also should the pads for the inner post be keyed into the floor?I will loose some heat i am sure but what about the bales how will this affect them in the winter??? the walls will be lime plaster on both sides.Or should the pad be seperated with insulation from the footings?? I hope someone can help me with this> thanks alot BILL

-- Bill Julien (hidvall@chibardun.net), February 05, 2002

Answers

How well will the 2" poly insulation hold up to the weith of the straw bales and the life of your building. Are you keying in the floor due to shifting concerns or cost?

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), February 05, 2002.

Putting the bales on the poly insulation isn't a good idea. Not at all. Moisture will condense on the poly and the straw will be sitting in it - an ideal way to get the straw composted. Go to Crest.org, check out the discussion groups and you will find one for strawbale. Join it, ask your question. The people there can help you with this.

-- Carol - in Virginia (carollm@rockbridge.net), February 05, 2002.