Hey all,

I will be building a timber frame home in a few years.  I'm going to be doing a concrete foundation (ICF) to hold the mass of the building.  Does anyone have any experience with LSC?  Light Straw clay would be nice as I can obtain straw for cheap.  Our property has natural springs which forces clay up through the earth.  I've been doing some research but what I don't know is up here near Canada the cold can drop well below -20F.  I was thinking about running foamboard on the outside wall and then LSC (7") thick for the interior walls.

A builder I did work with moved to North Dakota a few years ago. When in Michigan he did a few strawbale homes.

I think he used shotcrete not natural clay.

If I can get a hold of him, do you want me to pick his brain for you?

His e-mail with the words strawbale in it got kicked back a few days ago. I could try his gmail address.

I'm all set thank you, I found my own answer at a seminar in January. LSC can withstand up to -XF if it's vented in a wood shell. LIME plaster can be used for the outside but you want large eves to wick away water/snow. More maintenance if it's outside facing against the elements.