building
My on-going research has unearthed a form of floor insulation called Perlite that is natural, effective, and highly recyclable. It is also 'fairly' local in that it is mined and produced in Oregon. According to the manufacturers (Supreme Perlite) it has already been used in LEED qualified buildings and is very easy to install. It can be laid on the ground in plastic or paper sacks to form a six inch layer which provides R16 insulation. Our local code requires only R12 so we will have a super-insulated floor as well as walls!
Below the insulation will be two or three inches of drain rock which will act both as a vapour barrier - preventing moisture from wicking up into the floor - and as a Radon gas barrier.
Radon is a naturally occuring radioactive gas common in many parts of the world. It is reportedly the second largest cause of lung cancer. The normal defense against radon is to install a plastic vapour barrier in the floor. However, the gas is heavier than air so the layer of drain rock under the floor will allow the gas to naturally flow away to the foundation trench where it will safely vent to the atmosphere.
Above the perlite will be a layer of clay and straw and then several inches of packed earth which will be sealed with a vegetable-based oil sealer such as linseed.
Radon is a naturally occuring radioactive gas common in many parts of the world. It is reportedly the second largest cause of lung cancer. The normal defense against radon is to install a plastic vapour barrier in the floor. However, the gas is heavier than air so the layer of drain rock under the floor will allow the gas to naturally flow away to the foundation trench where it will safely vent to the atmosphere.
Above the perlite will be a layer of clay and straw and then several inches of packed earth which will be sealed with a vegetable-based oil sealer such as linseed.
Photo courtesy of Ann and Gord Baird, Victoria. (www.eco-sense.ca)
A thick clay floor provides excellent thermal mass for storing heat from the sun or other sources. Although undecided, we are considering the installation of an hydronic heating system in the floor that will be heated by solar collectors on the roof.
A zig-zag pattern of half-inch flexible pipe is embedded into the floor a few inches below the suface. Hot water is circulated through the pipes and the earthen floor stores the heat and dissipates it slowly into the room.
Another idea is to divert excess heat from the collectors into a large and well-insulated tank of water (several thousand gallons) buried in the ground which will store the heat. When heat is not available from the sun, the system can be reversed allowing heated water from the tank back into the floor pipes.
A zig-zag pattern of half-inch flexible pipe is embedded into the floor a few inches below the suface. Hot water is circulated through the pipes and the earthen floor stores the heat and dissipates it slowly into the room.
Another idea is to divert excess heat from the collectors into a large and well-insulated tank of water (several thousand gallons) buried in the ground which will store the heat. When heat is not available from the sun, the system can be reversed allowing heated water from the tank back into the floor pipes.
Links... (hover over links for info)
The Living Building Challenge
Fotoprint
John Gower - Gower design group
Chelsey Braham - C D B Design
Earth Futures
BCSEA
SIPDistribution.ca
Chemicallime.com
Perlite.com
Strawbale.com
HomesteadHouse.ca
Eco-Sense.ca
Building Limes Forum
Straw bale fire test movie
Straw bale earthquake test movie
Susanne Dannenberg - visual artist
Goodshepherdwool.com
Elke Cole