What are Durra Panel compressed straw building panels?

And how can you use them in your renovation or new build?

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Derek Layfield, Managing Director of Durra Panel. (Check out Part 1 here).

Hello! This is Episode 251, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with Derek Layfield, Managing Director of Durra Panel.

As a reminder, Durra Panel is a densely compressed straw building panel used in a huge range of projects globally.

Made in Australia, it’s an incredibly sustainable, durable, highly fire resistant building material that’s also fully recyclable and biodegradable.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Derek, we learn more about how to work with Durra Panel.

We talk more about the other finishes that Durra Panel is available in so it’s super functional in lots of applications, and also how to work with it, and how it compares to other products you might be familiar with.

Now, let’s dive in!

Let me remind you about Derek, before we jump into this episode.

Derek Layfield is the Managing Director of Durra Panel, a truly sustainable and Australian owned business.

For more than 30 years, Derek has reengineered and manufactured Durra Panel in regional Victoria from waste wheat straw sourced locally from Australian farmers.

Derek is passionate about changing the way the world thinks about building. By speaking transparently about Durra Panel’s cradle to cradle life cycle, he hopes to educate about the natural carbon cycle, highlight greenwashing within the building industry and encourage people to choose truly sustainable building materials.

In this episode, you’ll hear me ask about how durable it is for family life, as I know many are concerned about how resilient it is. It seems strange that something that’s straw and paper can be so durable – but it is. I’ve been bashing my sample, and amazed at the punishment it can take.

We’re VERY used to plasterboard and how it performs, but there are other options that may be more sustainable, better to use, tidier on site, and preferable based on your personal criteria for your project.

Let’s continue my conversation with Derek now.

In this episode, I ask Derek questions such as:

• What are the various different finishes Durra Panel is available in, and the options for finishing the panels?
• How to consider services such as electrics and plumbing when using Durra Panel?
• What is the ability to hang pictures, televisions, cabinetry, etc?
• How to deal with thermal bridging and condensation with Durra Panel?
• How resilient it is, and how to patch it if it gets damaged?
• How does it compare cost-wise to materials used in traditional wall construction?
• What if you’re overseas from Australia – is it possible to source Durra Panel in other locations?

If you want a super smooth finish to the interior of your home, Durra Panel may not be for you.

However, if you’re keen to explore alternatives to plasterboard, then this could be a great option for you. Durra Panel really does tick a lot of boxes: sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable, low tox, thermally efficient, acoustic, fire resistant, easy to work with … there’s a lot to love.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

RESOURCES:

Durra Panel
Website >>> https://durrapanel.com/
Instagram >>> https://www.instagram.com/durra_panel/?hl=en
Being installed at Future Food System >>> https://www.instagram.com/p/CFLfkXWltcc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.facebook.com/DurraPanel

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> HOME METHOD

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