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Consulting for Building & Insulating with Straw

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From the initial idea to the right solution — practical planning for straw insulation.

  • Material selection: blown straw insulation or straw bales

  • Detail and connection solutions: roof, wall, ceiling and façade

  • Quantity and logistics planning, plus installation checks

Who is this consulting for?

Sustainability-focused homeowners

  • Ecologically conscious self-builders and homeowners

  • People focused on climate-neutral, resource-efficient construction

  • Building groups and multi-generational projects

    Why straw?

  • CO₂-negative, regionally available and renewable

  • Excellent insulation performance and indoor comfort

  • Low embodied energy

Private builders in rural areas

  • Farmers, especially those growing grain

  • Self-builders and practically minded clients

    Why straw?

  • Regional value creation

  • Cost advantages through self-contribution

  • Direct proximity to raw materials and producers

Architects and planners

  • Practices focused on ecological and circular construction

  • Pioneers of low-tech architecture

  • Planners with an affinity for timber and clay construction

    Why straw?

  • Blown straw insulation as a natural insulation solution for timber frame construction

  • Timber–straw–clay as a high-performance hybrid system

  • Strong innovation potential with high recognition value

  • Design freedom beyond right-angled forms

Construction companies and skilled trades

  • Carpentry and timber construction companies

  • Ecological construction companies

  • Clay builders and craftspeople working with natural building materials

    Why straw?

  • An ideal complement to timber construction

  • Growing demand for sustainable insulation materials

  • Blown straw insulation = machine-applied, repeatable and standardisable

Public and community-oriented developers

  • Municipalities, for kindergartens, schools and public buildings

  • Housing cooperatives

  • Social organisations and foundations

    Why straw?

  • Strong environmental performance and funding potential

  • Healthy indoor climate

  • Positive image and strong role-model effect

Renovators and existing building developers

  • Energy refurbishment of older buildings

  • Heritage-sensitive renovations, especially with clay

    Why straw?

  • Seamless insulation

  • Vapour-open and moisture-regulating

  • Excellent combination with timber and clay

Educational and research institutions

  • Universities, especially architecture and civil engineering

  • Vocational schools and chambers of crafts

    Why straw?

  • Research into CO₂ storage

  • Practical low-tech solutions

  • Training for new trades and specialist skills

Climate-driven and future-focused initiatives

  • Climate protection initiatives

  • Transition Town movements

  • Eco-villages and community-led projects

    Why straw?

  • A practical and symbolic solution for post-carbon construction

  • High educational and demonstration value

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What we clarify in practice (Service overview)

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System Selection

Blown straw insulation or straw bales?
Load-bearing or as an insulation layer?

Advantages and disadvantages depending on the building element.

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Building Element Consulting

Roof / internal wall / ceiling / external wall / façade

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Build-Up & Details

Airtightness, connections, penetrations and moisture protection

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Quantities & Delivery

Material requirements, pack and pallet logic, construction site logistics

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Installation Quality

Installed density, quality control and how to avoid typical mistakes

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Technical Documentation

ETA and product data as the basis for planning and execution

How the consulting process works
(5 steps)

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Which documents are helpful?

  • Floor plan, section and building element build-up

  • Photos of the existing building and relevant details, especially for renovations

  • Desired insulation thickness or target, for example an energy standard

  • Region / travel distance and planned installation date

Typical Questions

  • That depends on the building element, the construction method and the project goal.
     

    • Blown straw insulation is particularly suitable for timber frame construction, renovations, roof and ceiling constructions, and complex geometries.

    • Straw bales are ideal for external walls, load-bearing or infill constructions, and clearly structured, well-planned new builds.
       

    During the consultation, we determine which system is technically and economically the better fit — often also in combination.

  • Densely installed straw contains very little oxygen. High fire-resistance values are possible in tested assemblies. The key factors are the build-up, plaster or lining, and professional execution.

  • Dry, installed straw provides neither food nor habitat. What matters is clean detailing, full enclosure and a dry construction phase, with no open gaps and no moisture.

  • Delivery is usually organised by truckload. Smaller quantities are possible, but they involve higher costs and additional planning. A forklift should be available on site, along with sufficient space for unloading.

  • Sufficient space must be available on site, as one articulated lorry holds around 120 m³. Even though the straw is delivered wrapped, it must always be stored in dry conditions.

  • Each system follows clear requirements:
     

    • Blown straw insulation: installed density, even filling and control, for example by volume and quantity

    • Straw bales: accurate placement, clean alignment, sealed connections and timely protection with plaster or lining
       

    On request: on-site quality assurance.

  • Yes — especially blown straw insulation is very well suited to renovation projects, including roofs, ceilings, internal walls and cavities. We assess in advance whether the existing structure is suitable in terms of moisture, build-up and details.

  • Yes — under certain conditions. SonnenKlee supports you with this: we assess your straw and, depending on the requirements, can certify it for use as a building material.

Bring clarity to your project — we are here to help right away.

Goldenes Weizenfeld
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