[Strawbale] sunspaces

Wed Sep 27 17:50:22 CDT 2006

Hey all,

There is a book called "The Homeowner's Complete Handbook for Add-on Solar 
Greenhouses and Sunspaces" by Andrew Shapiro that appears to be pretty much 
what the title indicates - at least from the design/construction end of 
things.  He covers the different design elements necessary for different 
uses (ie: heating, living space, gardening, etc.) and where those uses are 
and aren't compatible with each other.  He also covers a few DIY ways of 
building one.  I've found it to be pretty thorough and readable, but I 
haven't actually built mine yet.  (Gotta build the house first...)

I believe the book is out of print, but it looks like its readily available 
online used: 
http://www3.addall.com/New/compare.cgi?dispCurr=USD&id=150496&isbn=0878575073&location=10000&thetime=20060927144237&author=&title=&state=AK .
(Add if that URL is too big, go to www.addall.com and search for ISBN number 
08785-7507-3 .)

Charmaine, if you have it for sale, pipe up!

Nick

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill & Eva Kresge" <islandmountainfarm at yahoo.com>
To: <archilogic at yahoo.ca>; <strawbale at listserv.repp.org>
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 4:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Strawbale] sunspaces

> Rob,
>
> I am delighted that you feel that way about sun spaces. I don't know how 
> many heating days we get in the Okanogan Highlands but we are less than 20 
> miles from the Canadian border at almost 3000 feet so we do get cold in 
> the winter.
>
> We are currently leaning towards a one story partially dug in structure. 
> We have good southern exposure. We'd like to have enough thermal mass to 
> coast through our normal 4 to 6 weeks of zero solar gain, normally 
> accompanied by after dark temps in the 20s down to the minus teens 
> Fahrenheit. That in mind we are thinking about going Rastra along the back 
> wall and about 8' out east and west. Then putting in a pantry/root 
> cellar/vertical utility space with a very well insulated wall to close off 
> the concrete part of the structure. We'd tie that to a post and beam frame 
> with straw bale infill to finish the east west walls and some of the south 
> wall. The remaining south wall would be good quality angled glass with 
> continuous grow beds right inside. With the right overhang and shade 
> fabrics we can handle the summer heat and if we get the right combination 
> of glazing, high thermal mass, insulation and ventilation I think we can 
> stay warm and toasty with little need to burn wood.
>
> The design is simple, the devil is in the details. Namely the junctions of 
> different materials, ventilation, amount of mass, window area and glazing. 
> I'm sure the details have already been published somewhere, I just haven't 
> found the kind of detail I need to feel comfortable putting it all 
> together. Do you have any sources for this kind of information that 
> doesn't assume your read blueprints or have years of experience in the 
> field?
>
> Rob Tom <ArchiLogic at yahoo.ca> wrote: On Sat, 23 Sep 2006 16:54:36 -0400, 
> wrote:
> [snipped]
>
>> [opinions re:] attached greenhouse/sunspace ?
>
>> one famous SB writer/speaker saying they are horrid.
>>      We'd be building this in SE Wisconsin
>
>
> Shiv;
>
> I'd be interested in seeing the famous SB writer speaker explain to this
> List why (s)he feels attached greenhouses/sunspaces (AG/SS) are "horrid".
>
> I live in a somewhat similar climate to the one you will be building in
> (~8750 HDD/yr)
> and I wouldn't even think about building a house without one.
>
> I suppose that one's opinion of AG/SS would depend upon what one's
> expectations were from the space.
>
> If one had intended on using it as a living space in which to hang out for
> most of one's non-sleeping time, then "yes" it would be horrid simply
> because such an expectation would be ill-informed and hence, unrealistic.
>
> Extensive areas of glass fully exposed to sun in the day and cold at night
> ? Hello-o-o-o ???
>
> If one had intended to use it as a thermal buffer zone, a transitional
> space, a solar furnace for the rest of the house, a place for
> starting/growing plants and extending the growing season, then one would
> be delighted ... as I am with mine.
>
> Given the minimal cost of including such a space on one's home and the
> rapid payback via reduced space-heating energy load for the rest of the
> house, not to mention the other non-monetary benefits that such a space
> bestows to the dwelling, I do have to wonder why there is even a question
> in anyone's mind as to whether or not to include one in our climate.
>
>
>
>
> ===* ===
> Rob Tom
> Kanata, Ontario, Canada
>
> winnow the chaff from my edress in your reply
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Strawbale mailing list
> Strawbale at listserv.repp.org
> http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/strawbale_listserv.repp.org
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small 
> Business.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> _______________________________________________
> Strawbale mailing list
> Strawbale at listserv.repp.org
> http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/strawbale_listserv.repp.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.8/455 - Release Date: 9/22/2006