[Strawbale] People Who Can Help

Tue Jan 9 20:54:40 CST 2007

Just a reminder that you can post information about workshops, hands-on
training, apprenticeships, internships to the Calendar of Events on the web
site of The Last Straw, the 40-page quarterly journal of strawbale and
natural building. www.thelaststraw.org

The Calendar of Events is updated and added to throughout the year. The
listings are organized into four sections:  (1) Strawbale, Plasters and
Stucco;  (2) Natural Building such as cob, straw/clay, timber frame; (3)
Green Building and Sustainable Systems (solar and wind, catchwater and
greywater systems, and more) and (4) Internships, Apprenticeships, Job
Opportunities.
> Send Strawbal
There are also listings at
www.greenbuilder.com (Sustainable Sources)
www.strawbuilding.org (CASBA California Straw Building Association)
www.osbbc.org (Ontario Canada Straw Bale Coalition),
www.coloradostrawbale.org (COSBA Colorado Straw Bale Association).

A complete listing of associations, networks, and guilds appears on the TLS
web site under Resources (www.thelaststraw.org - click on Resources).

Joyce
-------
Joyce Coppinger, Managing Editor
The Last Straw journal
GPFS/TLS, PO Box 22706, Lincoln NE 68542-2706 USA
402.483.5135, fax 402.483.5161
<thelaststraw at thelaststraw.org>
www.thelaststraw.org

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> Today's Topics:
> 
> 1.  sawdust floor - Corcoleum flooring (Gene Smith)
> 2. Magnesite (Wayneapple at aol.com)
> 3. Re: Magnesite (Chris Green)
> 4. Walk Softly fundraiser Feb 3, 07 (arolinga1 at aol.com)
> 5. Re: Wood Peckers & Strawbale (Andrew Morrison)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 10:46:37 -0800 (PST)
> From: Gene Smith <justsomeguync at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Strawbale]  sawdust floor - Corcoleum flooring
> To: Strawbale at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <20070108184637.55203.qmail at web32509.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> Bill:  That sounds VERY interesting.  I tried the email address
> listed,  but 
> it didn't work.  If you find any more information on it,  please post
> it  for 
> me, ok?  BTW....my husband and I love your straw  bale books,  and are
> planning beginning building one this month in S.  Carolina.
> - Kathy
> 
> Who, what, when, where, how?  Some of us in the east are starved for
> strawbale, may be interested in lending a hand if given contact information.
> 
> Smitty
> 
> __________________________________________________
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> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 15:37:47 EST
> From: Wayneapple at aol.com
> Subject: [Strawbale] Magnesite
> To: Strawbale at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <c97.64e9c95.32d4059b at aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Many years ago I remember seeing a beautiful, floor in a Frank Lloyd Wright
> designed house in Grand Rapids MI that was a magnesite floor.  I haven't found
> much info on it.  Does anyone have a how to, installation instructions on it?
> I think it also goes by the name of Diato?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Wayne Appleyard
> Architect
> Sunstructures Architects
> 201 E. Liberty st. Ste. 1
> Ann Arbor, MI 48104
> (734) 994-5650
> fax 994-5656
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 22:12:52 -0800
> From: Chris Green <pojeros at telus.net>
> Subject: Re: [Strawbale] Magnesite
> To: Strawbale at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <45A33264.1010208 at telus.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> Wayneapple at aol.com wrote:
>> Many years ago I remember seeing a beautiful, floor in a Frank Lloyd Wright
>> designed house in Grand Rapids MI that was a magnesite floor.  I haven't
>> found 
>> much info on it.  Does anyone have a how to, installation instructions on it?
>> I think it also goes by the name of Diato?
>> 
> Thanks for the lead. Here's a quote from a page discussing Diato, or
> magnesite flooring, the general term for such products, it appears.
>> Diato, or magnesite flooring, was very popular in the 1930's to
>> 1950's. One of the great benefits of magnesite floors is the fact that
>> it is easy to work with and easy to sculpt and mold for use on stairs
>> and around hard-to-tile areas.
>> Creating the right color to give the custom floor that you desire is
>> another bonus. It is widely seen in homes of Mediterranean-, Spanish-
>> and Art Deco-style homes. It can mimic many different flooring types
>> by being etched or stamped in magnesite marble designs or magnesite
>> tile designs. This is why it is sometimes difficult to ascertain what
>> kind of flooring it is
> More at the source:
> http://www.theflooringlady.com/diato_flooring.html
> 
> There are companies in North America which still install these, it
> appears. One such states:
>> Desert Brand Magnesite Flooring
>> For over sixty years, leading architects have specified durable Desert
>> Brand Magnesite for their interior/exterior floorings. The reasons are
>> many. It's lightweight, yet pound for pound, stronger than concrete.
>> Water-resistant and non-combustible, it lasts thirty years or more
>> when properly applied and maintained.
> Read more link here:
> http://www.sealers.com/desertbrand/magnesite-floor.htm
> 
> Some contractors who install this material. It seems they are
> concentrated in California. .
> Perez Services, Magnesite Experts at:
> http://www.perezservices.com/
> 
> http://www.magnesitediatoservice.com/pages/1/index.htm
> Check out their " pics/quotes" photo gallery showing exterior stairs,
> steps, and even a tennis court.
> 
> http://www.universal-magnesite.com/
> 
> http://www.nationaldeckandstair.com/
> 
> The following page lists a lot of companies which seem to install this
> material:
> http://www.anhtoi.com/directory/state5777sub2
> 
> So does this page
> <http://yellowpages.superpages.com/listings.jsp?SRC=portals&CL=1&CID=000005453
> 95&search=Find+It>
> at Yellowpages.com.
> 
> 
> This appears to be really nice looking stuff.....but I'll guess the
> exterior and industrial magnesite flooring doesn't include 80% sawdust.
> 
> Yet. :-)
> 
> I see some mentions of industrial flooring applications but haven't
> found a page about that yet.
> 
> Now that I've seen the photos here I realize I may have mistaken this
> for  polished plaster or some kind of antique ceramic material
> (fireplaces in old buildings and such.)
> 
> In skimming over the text on the pages I came up with when I googled for
> Diato, and for variations of 'magnesite floor.'  and from the previously
> quoted sources, it appears this material is poured  on the subfloor in
> lifts of various depths.
> I suspect this will probably mean some careful jobsite logistics and
> scheduling while the flooring hardens.
> <www.alldeckcoating.com/download/Instructions_AD2002.pdf>
> But so does the application of Flecto Diamond Varathane on unfinished
> hardwood floors.
> Installers need to be specially trained, according to the flooringlady
> site, but then again so do most others connected with the building
> industry.
> 
> The main manufacturer or distributor of magnesite flooring comounds used
> by the installers seems to be the company which has this page,
> previously linked. Their product is named Desert Brand.
> http://www.sealers.com/desertbrand/magnesite-floor.htm
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Chris Green.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2007 01:11:25 -0500
> From: arolinga1 at aol.com
> Subject: [Strawbale] Walk Softly fundraiser Feb 3, 07
> To: biofuels_interest_group at lists.emji.net,
> cfsasouthcarolina-carolinafarmstewards.org at lists.carolinafarmstewards.org
> 
> Cc: piedmontsustainablefarmers-request at lists.ibiblio.org,
> john.bonitz at gmail.com,    wisdomgourd at mac.com,
> trianglefamilies at yahoogroups.com,    chatlist at bellsouth.net,
> NCSecularNetwork at yahoogroups.com,    ficklecreek at mebtel.net,
> durhamfoodcoopnewsletter at gmail.com,
> livestock-carolinafarmstewards.org at lists.carolinafarmstewards.org,
> elizam at nimanranch.com, oracle at theshadygrovefarm.com,
> strawbale at listserv.repp.org, pasturedpoultry at lists.ncsu.edu,
> debbie_roos at ncsu.edu, growingsmallfarms at lists.ncsu.edu,
> rkohanowich at cccc.edu
> Message-ID: <8C901CC206BEFD2-163C-1BAF at webmail-db13.sysops.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Hi all ya'll!
> Please forgive if this ends up in your mail box more than once.  Harvey and
> Nancy Harman have been incredible supporters of green housing and sustainable
> farming, homeschooling as well as being huge instigators for community
> building.  Many, many of us have been the beneficiaries of their hospitality
> and generosity over the years and now it is time to repay that kindness with
> our support.  We are organizing a fundraiser for legal fees as they work to
> develop the Bray Park sustainable community currently being blocked by the
> town of Siler City.
> February 3rd, from 1pm until 10 pm, we're having a pig pickin' (pig courtesy
> of Sofia's Farm) with trimmings, music, silent auction of donated items and
> that evening - a community dance.  This event will be in downtown (such as it
> is) Bonlee, NC, near Siler City.  Email me for directions.
> We are also asking for donations of goods and services for the silent auction.
> Think outside the box and be creative!  A hand knit scarf, a weekend at a bed
> and breakfast, a haircut, a hand thrown pot, a load of mulch or compost, a
> share of a CSA for the season, a garden consultation with an expert, a lesson
> or series of lessons for a musical  instrument,
> knitting/spinning/crocheting/weaving/pottery/dancing lessons, etc.  The sky is
> the limit!  Please email me with your donation ideas ASAP
> I (we) hope to see all ya'll on Feb 3 in this great opportunity to support
> sustainable community in general and Harvey and Nancy in particular.
> 
> 
> Anita Olinga
> 
> ________________________________________________________________________
> Check out the new AOL.  Most comprehensive set of free safety and security
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> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2007 08:56:12 -0800
> From: "Andrew Morrison" <andrew at strawbale.com>
> Subject: Re: [Strawbale] Wood Peckers & Strawbale
> To: "'Dot Rhodes'" <lacasapaja at theriver.com>, <kyle at volsoft.com>,
> "'Strawbale'" <STRAWBALE at LISTSERV.REPP.ORG>
> Message-ID: <002601c7340f$1ce2fc20$0300a8c0 at andrew1d651c71>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Dot,
> Be careful that you leave ventilation when replacing the bird
> blocks.  I assume that is your plan, but you don't specifically say so in
> your email.  If you eliminate your ventilation to the rafters, you will
> cause significantly more damage to your hoe than the flickers would have.
> 
> Andrew
> 
> Andrew Morrison, General Contractor
> A.C. Morrison Construction, LLC
> Specializing in Straw Bale Construction
> Andrew at StrawBale.com
> (541) 899-1818   
> www.StrawBale.com A World Leader in Straw Bale Education
> 
> Want answers to straw bale questions? Check out our "Straw Bale House" Blog
> 
> www.LearnStrawBale.com All the Resources you need to Build with Bales
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: strawbale-bounces at listserv.repp.org
> [mailto:strawbale-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Dot Rhodes
> Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 11:21 AM
> To: kyle at volsoft.com; Strawbale
> Subject: Re: [Strawbale] Wood Peckers & Strawbale
> 
> Kyle,
> I have had generations of Northern Flickers attacking the birdboards and
> 
> rafters of my strawbale home since I moved in seven years ago. The first
> attempt at keeping them out of the eaves was to replace the original
> screening with 1/8" hardware cloth. A determined Flicker can go through that
> 
> in about one week. The next step was to cover the birdboards on the outside
> (not very attractive) with either hardware cloth, 1/8" or 1/4", diamond
> stucco wire or small chicken wire. A determined Flicker will take a month or
> 
> two to peck through the latter two types of wire. A friend living at a lower
> 
> elevation had some success in discouraging Gila woodpeckers by placing flat
> round stones in the bird board openings until the birds got discouraged and
> left the house alone.
> A couple of years ago I installed a Flicker nest box about 20 feet from
> the house and have left a number of dead oaks for them to drill into but
> they prefer the eaves.  My plan is to enclose the eaves with Hardy cement
> board soffit and either replace or cover the fascia with Hardy fascia.
> Good luck.
> Dot 
> 
> 
> 
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