The Product

What are Straw SIPS? 

Straw Structured Insulted Panels, or Straw SIPS, are wall panels insulated with straw that lock together to form a wall system. 

Straw SIPS are customizable and come with a variety of finishing options which depend on the design details. They boast an R-Value of between double and triple conventional wall construction methods.

The higher R-Value and energy efficiency is due to the combination of a thicker wall (14 inches), minimal to no thermal bridging through wood as the frame is wrapped on 3 sides with straw, and higher levels of airtightness due to factory-controlled construction process and detailing. Unlike most foam SIPS used in conventional construction.

Straw SIPS are structural, meaning no additional supports are needed in single story applications.

Straw SIPS have been used in multi-story and even apartment complex construction, with additional focus being placed on load engineering before fabrication.

How are they Produced?

The manufacturing process occurs with a steel frame and hydraulic or pneumatic press, in order to ensure panels are square, firm, and without variation in quality. Panels are shaved of protruding straw on the manufacturing table and can be sheathed or plastered at this stage as well.

Once a panel has been assembled, it is numbered in conjunction with its place in the building assembly, and stacked with the other panels for the job, awaiting delivery to the site.

What Does a Finished Strawbale House Look and Feel Like?

This year I built my own strawbale house, the first to be built in my county. It has maintained an indoor temperature of between 63-75 degrees with an indoor humidity of about 40% using only a small woodstove for heating. It has translated into lower energy bills and a healthier indoor air quality and comfort, as it will for anyone using this building method. 

The interior can be finished using traditional methods such as drywall, but can also be finished using more unique, natural methods like earth or lime plaster. To the left is an image of my strawbale home, the interior finish is earth plaster.