http://forum.mybarnconversion.com/ 'build green' en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:28:34 +0000 http://forum.mybarnconversion.com/topic/cork-granules-as-loose-fill-insulation#post-24 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:43:13 +0000 KGraham 24@http://forum.mybarnconversion.com/ <p>What a great website! I really hope someone here can help me. I'm working on a 100% green retrofit of a very old house in the northeast united states, where winters are -0. It's a wood frame construction, intact plaster/lath walls on the interior, and _absolutely nothing_ in the cavities. I'm dissatisfied with all available commercial insulation options, and would like to use granulated cork, as a kind of 'pour-in' application. However, cork's made no inroads in the american market (except as composite flooring), so no one anywhere has been able to provide me with information. I have no idea what size granule should be used in such an application (on the larger side seems intuitively logical); whether it can be straight ground up cork or if it has to be the 'expanded' type; and perhaps most importantly, whether it has to be treated for flammability - I've actually put this question to several people, and they disagree vehemently, one of them insisting that untreated cork granules are fire safe as insulation, the other insisting that it's a fire hazard! (It doesn't help that one of the very scant results of a Google search for this kind of use of cork is a link to a description of a ship that caught fire - the source being the cork insulation in the walls!) Is there anyone out there who can provide me with accurate answers to these important questions? </p> http://forum.mybarnconversion.com/topic/timber-cladding#post-7 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:33:20 +0000 admin 7@http://forum.mybarnconversion.com/ <p>Oak definitely can stain to black unless treated and treatments tend to be dark in colour giving the dodgy dark brown 'barn conversion' look ... however, the staining whilst black in parts will be silvery in others - the exact colouring will depend on the wood, weather and all those other variables that will effect it.</p> <p>So long as the wood has been aged and is sap free, it is fine for external use outdoors in the UK.</p> <p>Don't forget there are many other types of hard-wood - shop around and see what you can find. </p> http://forum.mybarnconversion.com/topic/timber-cladding#post-6 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:00:31 +0000 sue 6@http://forum.mybarnconversion.com/ <p>I want suggestions as to wether to use oak or soft wood for the exterior cladding of an oak frame barn. I don't want a black stained wood - will look rather oppressive next to the main house with white clap board. Also is it true that oak distorts and warps. I had hoped in time that the timber would fade to that silvery colour </p>