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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, December 15, 2011 · 10 Gilgan having bales of fun with renovation By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It was portrayed as unreliable construction material in The Three Little Pigs -- however, one Oakville resident is convinced building a house partially out of straw will be the next big thing. Matt Gilgan, son of Mattamy Homes president and CEO Peter Gilgan, is currently undertaking a project at 55 Chisholm St., which will see new additions placed on the historical home using straw bale as insulation. "Much of the wall is filled in with straw bales, on edge, in sort of a brick pattern that is plastered over on both sides," said Gilgan. "It's very, very insulative. There is some debate as to exactly how much, but a lot of studies show the upper end can be 30-35 per cent improved R value (thermal resistance)." Gilgan, a former Green Party of Canada candidate, said the good thing about using straw as construction material is that it is plentiful and therefore not overly expensive. When complete, Gilgan said, the straw bale insulation will cover more than half the house. Having straw bale, he said, also eliminates the possibility of any kind of chemical cast off. Straw bale construction is not the only green construction under- PHOTOS BY ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER FORWARD THINKING: Matt Gilgan is renovating a heritage home, using straw bale construction in the insulation. From left, he shows a wall at the start of insulation; has some fun with the straw and shows a wall nearing completion. way at 55 Chisholm St. The home, which is listed on the Town's Heritage Register and is owned by Gilgan, also features a section of green roof where grass or even a garden can be planted. A solarium is being built to capture heat from the sun and provide an alternative source of warmth for the home, while a rain harvesting system is being installed to provide an alternative source of water. A special stonewall in the home is intended to capture the sun's rays and then radiate heat throughout the night. If all these heat sources fail to keep the occupants warm, a geothermal heating system can be switched on. Why so many environmental innovations in one "I guess having worked in house? "I guess having worked construction for a long time and in construction for a long seeing the materials that go into time and seeing the mate- homes, I've had a real interest rials that go into homes, in seeing some healthier I've had a real interest in seeing some healthier materials used." materials used," said Matt Gilgan, Oakville resident Gilgan. "I'm interested in seeing homes built better. I would say all of these methods are tried and commissioned. commissioned true. A lot of them are When the project is complete in very unfamiliar to our neighbourhood. Straw bale is something that the spring, Gilgan said he plans to is usually done in more rural areas, sell the home and move onto other but it has been happening for a environmental housing projects. Built circa 1870, 55 Chisholm long time. Some of these other techniques have been used for a St., is described as an excellent example of a vernacular workers long time in Europe." Gilgan said he hopes by engag- cottage with a sandbox design. The cottage was associated with ing in this and similar projects some of these techniques will gain an area tannery. Gilgan said he worked with the a more general acceptance in North Oakville Historical Society to ensure America. While Gilgan could not give a all the changes he made did not figure as to how much money the negatively impact the heritage innovations will save each year, he home. The additions to 55 Chisholm St. did say that because of the innovations the home needs no gas ser- replace other rain-damaged additions, which had been built more vice. Electrical usage is expected to recently. When complete, the heritage be average or less than average for home will feature three bedrooms a house of its size. The Oakville project, which is upstairs and one guest bedroom being undertaken by a number of downstairs. David Lea can be reached at construction companies, including the specialty construction compa- DLea@oakvillebeaver.com or folny Camel's Back Construction, is low him on Twitter @DavidLea6 or the first such project Gilgan has @OakvilleBeaver. Holiday Gift Cards it's your gif t card it' i 's your SWIMMING SKATING it's your gif t card gif t card FITNESS GOLF ON SALE NOW! at City Hall Parks & Recreation Counter, Tansley Woods and Brant Hills Community Centres, Appleby Ice Centre, Burlington Senior's Centre. For more information call 905-332-1996 or visit www.burlington.ca/giftcards