Posted on 01/17/2014 2:08:40 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Why Build With Straw Bales?
Straw bale construction lends itself well to an owner builder project. Some of the applications well suited for straw bale include: a cottage, office, garage, studio, and an art barn. You don’t have to limit yourself to these smaller projects. Thousands of people have successfully built their own straw bale house. As a world leader in straw bale education we want to help you every step of the way.
I’ve created a great introductory video on why to build with straw bales. You can watch that by clicking the play button below. Please read on for more reasons to build with straw bales!
(VIDEO-AT-LINK)
Here are 7 great reasons why you should consider building your next house with Straw Bales:
Reason #1 Energy Efficiency.
A well built straw bale home can save you up to 75% on heating and cooling costs. In fact, in most climates, we do not even install air conditioning units into our homes as the natural cooling cycles of the planet are enough to keep the house cool all summer long.
Reason #2 Sound Proofing.
Straw bale walls provide excellent sound insulation and are superior wall systems for home owners looking to block out the sounds of traffic or airplanes in urban environments.
Reason # 3 Fire resistance.
Straw bale homes have roughly three times the fire resistance of conventional homes. Dense bales mean limited oxygen which in turn means no flames.
Reason # 4 Environmental responsibility.
Building with straw helps the planet in many ways. For example, straw is a waste product that is either burned or composted in standing water. By using the straw instead of eliminating it, we reduce either air pollution or water consumption, both of which impact the environment in general.
Reason #5 Natural Materials
The use of straw as insulation means that the standard insulation materials are removed from the home. Standard fiberglass insulation has formaldehyde in it, a known carcinogen. Bale walls also eliminate the use of plywood in the walls. Plywood contains unhealthy glues that can off-gas into the house over time.
Reason #6 Aesthetics
There is nothing as calming and beautiful as a straw bale wall in a home. Time and time again I walk people through homes and they are immediately struck by the beauty and the “feeling” of the walls. I really can’t explain this one, you’ll just have to walk through your own to see what I mean.
Reason #7 Minimize wood consumption.
If built as a load bearing assembly, the wood in the walls can be completely eliminated, except for around the windows. The harvesting of forests is a global concern and any reduction in the use of wood material is a good thing for the long term health of the planet.
Even infill bale homes can reduce the use of wood by using engineered lumber for the posts and beams. The engineered material uses smaller, faster growing trees in place of larger, slower growing species.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Morrison has a passion for straw bale construction that is matched only by his desire to teach his knowledge to others. He has a wealth of experience in designing and building both conventional and straw bale homes. After years of building, he has moved his practice entirely to consulting and teaching. He shares his knowledge with thousands of people via his DVD series and this website and teaches roughly six hands on workshops each year. For more on his workshops, please visit www.StrawBaleworkshops.com. Andrew received a BA degree from Hampshire College in 1995 for Glacial Geology. He also has a degree in construction technology.
I’ll huff and I puff until I BLOOOOW your house in!
Little pig! Little pig!
A thatched hut seems appropriate for Obama’s USA.
Drawbacks, it only lasts a few years.
Sounds good, but I hear thsat it fares poorly against big bad wolves.
APf
I’d rather build my house out of brick.
Several people in this area built straw bale houses and all were happy with them. One drawback unless it has changed is when you decide to sell most if not all banks will not finance them because they don’t understand or trust the process. I would only recommend for an outbuilding or if you are sure you will never want to sell.
My horses think that this is a GREAT idea!
#1 reason NOT to build with straw ... mold
Consider compressed earth blocks instead.
Extremely Flammible... if it gets wet it can rot to the point of combustion,,,
There's one in France from 1921, one in Nebraska from 1925 and one in Georgia from the early thirties. If it's built correctly it will last as long as a conventional residential building.
compress the straw bale to 1-2” inch sheets or blocks, and maybe I’d consider it for low income housing. I’d still use sheet rock for walling and some form of water resistant exterior. maybe spray outer blocks with a coating to help resist water and improve insulation (like stucco on cement blocks). but no matter what, bugs would be all through it
A foolish idea in my opinion. I remember in the early 80’s they were trying to push wooden basement walls! Guessing those didn’t turn out well.
Go to the site, they’re not just built with straw bales, they’re completely covered with adobe or the like.
***Reason # 3 Fire resistance.
Straw bale homes have roughly three times the fire resistance of conventional homes.****
Bunkum. Ever seen a bar full of hay bales catch on fire. You can’t put it out and have to let it burn, which often takes days.
Same for hay stacked out side, both square and round bales.
Now hay coated with plaster, mud, or concrete is another thing.
These are very popular in New Mexico, and known as land ships. The straw bales set with rebar, then encased either in concrete or adobe. They have been around a long time and people that have them seem to like them.
I don’t know how they would fair in damp climates, or those with strong winds.
“The harvesting of forests is a global concern and any reduction in the use of wood material is a good thing for the long term health of the planet.”
Yeah, don’t harvest stuff.
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