Cob RE: light-clay infill stud walls

[John Schinnerer]

Aloha,

-----Original Message-----
From:	zimbabwe at ns.gemlink.com [SMTP:zimbabwe at ns.gemlink.com]
>...I am interested in building a conventionally framed house (for the most 
part) >with 6 inch thick walls.   If I infill this framing with the 
light-clay technique, what >total r-value should I expect.

Well, whatever the R-value of 5.5 inches of straw-clay, I'm sure it's higher 
by a reasonable amount than the R-value of your (presumed standard 2x6) 5.5 
inch wall studs - so you might want to think about ways to avoid having those 
2x6's make a "thermal bridge" through the wall, which they will do if 
connecting directly to the inside and outside surfaces.

One way to do this is to use 2x6 sill (bottom) and top plates (or even 2x8) 
and then use staggered 2x4 framing studs - one even with the outside of the 
top and bottom pieces, the next even with the inside, etc. and then fill with 
straw-clay the full width of the 5.5 (or 7.5) inch top and bottom plates. 
 This way no stud "bridges" the inside and outside surfaces.

John Schinnerer