Product

Can I build with EcoCocon straw panels in my state and climate zone?

Yes! EcoCocon straw panels can be delivered and built all over the United States. Not only do these buildings preform exceptionally well in the cold and heavy snow loads of the north, the system can also withstand Florida's humidity and hurricanes as well as California's wild-fires and earthquakes.

We build with nature which means that our structures can respond to nature. From fire and earthquakes to extreme temperatures, buildings made from these straw panels are here to stay for generations.

How do EcoCocon buildings resist fire?

Contrary to popular belief, straw and wood buildings resist fire very well. The straw in our panels is compressed at a density of 6.9 Ib/ft3, not leaving space for oxygen that would fuel the fire. Moreover, straw has a high content of silica, a natural fire retardant. When burning, both materials create a charcoal insulation layer on the surface that protects them from flames. 

Combined with clay plaster, our panels are rated to withstand two hours of intense fire according to the REI 120 and REIef120 certifications, meeting strict fire safety requirements. In fact, after two hours of over 1832°F on one side, the other side showed an average temperature increase of only 63.9°F.

What interior finishes can I use?

While you can use an array of standard interior finishes such as gypsum or Fermacell, to get the most out of our system, we strongly encourage you to use clay plaster. Clay acts as an effective humidity regulator. It absorbs excess humidity and releases it when the humidity levels drop creating a high level of comfort. Moreover, its toxin-removing properties have been known for thousands of years. It absorbs harmful substances emitted by modern interior elements and helps you create an even healthier indoor environment.

Why do you use a wood fiber board on the outside?

The wood fiber board adds another level of security to the construction, as any potential damages to the façade will not impact the load-bearing structure of our straw panels. It also provides an even surface that can be plastered with regular plaster systems certified for wood fiber boards.

Why do you use an airtight layer on the outside of the straw panels?

Any gaps in the construction can lead to warm, moist air escaping and condensing in the structure. The airtight layer ensures that your construction has an extraordinarily long life without any hidden damages. Also, airtightness greatly minimizes heat loss and drafts in the house.

How many houses have been built with EcoCocon?

115 buildings were built from 2014 to 2019 in 21 different countries. Since 2010, approximately 23,000 m2 (247,500 ft2) of wall surface has been built with EcoCocon.

What are the acoustics like in an EcoCocon building?

EcoCocon panels have excellent sound insulating properties - resistance to the passage of sound of 54 dB. This greatly exceeds the minimum standard requirements and results in exceptional acoustic comfort. 

What is the life expectancy of an EcoCocon building?

Straw and wood are both materials that are made to last. The oldest wooden building is more than 1,300 years old. Modern straw-bale building techniques date back to the beginning of the last century. The first houses built in Europe (1921) and the US (1925) are still in pristine condition. We offer a 25 year producer guarantee for the insulation layer and 50 years for structural integrity. However, as long as the installation standards are met, the life expectancy of an EcoCocon building can be measured in centuries.

Where are the panels built and is it ecological to import them?

At this moment, our only production facility is located in Kybartai, Lithuania. Our goal is to gradually set up local production in all the countries where we are present, including the United States.

Our panels are contributing very positively to the climate. This is partly thanks to the CO2 sequestered in the straw and wood, and partly due to the fact that the straw is a byproduct from the agricultural sector, and therefore is already being produced. Even if you transport them 1242 mi by a lorry, they still sequester about twice as much CO2 than what is released during the transport. Moreover, by using our panels you are replacing carbon-intensive materials such as concrete, bricks or polystyrene, thereby improving the climate footprint even more.

Your Project

How much does EcoCocon cost?

The construction costs are roughly comparable to a passive house. The system pays off in the long run thanks to minimum operating expenses. 

As a rule of thumb, using healthy and natural materials is always slightly more expensive compared to industrial products. Just like when you buy organic food. This is due to the so-called “internalised environmental costs”, which means that we as producers look after the future by delivering a product that does not require future generations to pay for cleaning up after us.

Nevertheless, the walls only account for about 10-20% of the overall construction budget. The exact cost always depends on the particular project. Send us your drawings and we will get back to you with a non-binding estimate. The price is $ 15,50 per Ft2 straw panel with air barrier

Is my EcoCocon house going to be automatically passive?

No. While EcoCocon creates the best conditions for the Passivhaus standard to be achieved, there are other important factors that come into play. These include the orientation of the house, the selection of windows, the roof insulation, etc. The energy performance of a passive house always needs to be verified by a PHPP calculation.

How many floors can I build?

Our system has a load-bearing capacity for up to 6 storeys. To overcome this limitation, our panels can also be used as insulation in combination with another load-bearing structure.

Will my architect and building company be able to work with EcoCocon?

Our team is ready to assist your architect and builders every step of the way. We guarantee that your project will benefit from using our system - by reducing construction time while maintaining full flexibility in design.

Project implementation

How can Build With Nature help me to work with EcoCocon panels?

Build With Nature is a design, build, and consulting firm. We are partnered with EcoCocon to represent their system and help homeowners, architects and builders all over the US. Besides offering consultation for design and construction with straw panels, we can also offer design and training services to build teams who want to make healthy passive houses, and set up straw panels as needed.

When will there be a production line in the US?

We are currently importing straw panels from Lithuania, but we are working on plans to start a production line of EcoCocon straw panels in the US as soon as we have established the market demand to sustain a fully operational manufacturing facility.

How do you take care of an EcoCocon building?

EcoCocon buildings don’t require any special maintenance. As for all other types of construction, the walls need to be protected against direct contact with water.

What interior finishes can I use?

While you can use an array of standard interior finishes such as gypsum or Fermacell, to get the most out of our system, we strongly encourage you to use clay plaster. Clay acts as an effective humidity regulator. It absorbs excess humidity and releases it when the humidity levels drop creating a high level of comfort. Moreover, its toxin-removing properties have been known for thousands of years. It absorbs harmful substances emitted by modern interior elements and helps you create an even healthier indoor environment.