[Strawbale] Strawbale R-values

[Sherwood Botsford]

David Neeley wrote:
> Mark,
> 
> Personally, I would suggest eliminating gables from your design. That
> is because I strongly favor lime or earthen renders, and an exposed
> gable is too obviously a path for moisture infiltration from driven
> rains.
> 

I agree with David's notion that a gabled roof invites wind 
driven rain.  An alternative that will take a bit more material, 
but may be useful:  Extend the roof by 8-20 feet at each end. 
Depending on how big you make this you can use this area:

Assuming that the main axis of the roof runs east/west:

* As a dry porch to store firewood.
* As a porch to sit and watch the rain pour down. (I love to 
watch thunderstorms from just inside the rain line on our porch.)
* As a place where the kids can play outside on a rainy day.

* On the east end:  A place for reading the paper in the morning 
sun.  A place to have supper on a hot night.

The downside of this is that windows on the east and west walls 
will get less sun.  This can be partially dealt with by making 
the overhang greater at the peak than at the base.  E.g.


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         ...

However this roof is easily as difficult to make as a hip roof. 
(More -- you are walking on air.)