5. Openings and cutouts

Openings, penetrations, and through-holes constitute major discontinuities in an insulated straw wall. Unlike a homogeneous wall, each opening introduces:

• a thermal break;

• an airflow discontinuity;

• a potential point of water infiltration;

• a local disturbance in mechanical behavior.

In straw bale construction, these areas are particularly vulnerable due to the fibrous and hygroscopic nature of the insulation material.