Hello all, Still the R-value of solid wood for insulation does not even come close to competing with the plastic crap we use today. In addition the SIPs have the added advantage of being a non interrupted insulation barrier unlike two by four framing with insulation in between. It seems SIPs have won this battle. But they are quite heavy and nearly impossible to install without a crane(boom truck). On top of that I still am completely defiant to put up a beautiful hand built, perhaps hand raised timber frame and wrap it up in a bunch of plastic. C*newman: Do you have any more info on the use of wool, websites, producers, etc... ?? I have heard of this before, but not very much, which made me think that it was outrageously expensive or not code friendly. I truly believe straw and perhaps wool may be the answers we are looking for. They both are completely natural, do not require lengthy processing leading to more energy consumption and thus more pollution( unlike concrete, but that is for another post). We just need some more education, advances in apllication technique, and easing of building codes, in addition to a more available supply. For instance I have yet to find a supplier in my neck of the woods(Woodstock,NY). I believe if more people starting using them ,by the law of supply and demand, more producers would start popping up. I love the thick walls you get using straw. They remind me the thick walls on old stone houses, which you can use as window seats and cabinets as well. As far as cellulose insulation, I dont know enough to throw in my two cents. tb
