Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 14.7:
The use of peat and grass climatic materials in building
Material
Composition
Areas of use
Living turf
(1)
Grass in soil
Thermal insulation, sound
insulation, roof covering
Straw (can be stabilized with clay)
Thermal insulation, balancing of
relative humidity, wind-proofing of
joints
Grass fibre loose fill
Straw baled and tied together with
hemp (can be impregnated with
waterglass and rendered with
hydraulic lime render)
Thermal insulation for houses or
temporary structures, balancing of
relative humidity
Grass fibre bales
Straw fixed to galvanized netting,
sewn into paper or pinned together
Thermal insulation, balancing of
relative humidity, wind-proofing of
joints
Grass fibre matting
Straw, possibly with glue and
impregnated (can have outer layer of
cellulose paper)
Thermal insulation, balancing of
relative humidity
Grass fibreboards
Peat (lime can be added or other
impregnating materials)
Thermal insulation, waterproofing,
balancing of relative humidity,
sound insulation, wind-proofing of
joints
Loose peat fibre
Peat sewn into paper (impregnating
materials can be added)
Thermal insulation, balancing of
relative humidity
Peat fibre matting
Peat
Thermal insulation, balancing of
relative humidity, sound absorption
Peat fibreboards
Note:
(1) For more details see 'Turf Roof', p. 328.
For moisture-regulating and wind-proofing purposes these materials are usu-
ally used as fill in the gaps between windows, doors and the building fabric. It is
therefore important for them to be resistant to rot and packed tightly. This is a
critical part of the structure and needs high durability. Materials used in this way
are flax, hemp, peat and fibres from nettles.
Climatic materials based on plants are very interesting, ecologically speaking.
The insulation sector is particularly interesting because it represents such a large
volume of material, and it would be to great advantage if this could be covered
by renewable resources. With few exceptions, plants grown in the majority of
European countries would be suitable.
Plant materials have no problems in relation to the indoor climate, and they
often have good moisture-regulating properties. Impregnated and glued
