Ever since mankind left the caves, people have used the dried stalks of grain - after the heads were removed for food - as construction material. Straw bale house builders are believed to have started in Africa, but this method of building durable shelters has been used all over the world. This includes the American prairies of the mid-west, as pioneers found wood-framed structures inadequate for the harsh winters.
Straw truly is a great building material. It's cheap, since it has no food value and is good only for bedding or mulch. Unlike hay, it does not attract animals or insects which could damage the structure. Believe it or not, you can have a termite-free house - if you build with straw-bales.
Another plus is the insulating factor of a tightly-bound bale of straw. Thick walls made of this waste product of grain farming are very energy-efficient, keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer. They also deaden sound, so much so that work crews have trouble communicating from opposite sides unless they have the forethought to insert 'speaking tubes' of PVC pipe at strategic points between the bales.
Another thing that attracts many to this ancient craft is the fact that anyone can build using bales. A one-story unit with simple lines can use bales as load-bearing walls. It's easy to stabilize the bales with iron rods or wood framing. Stucco outside and plaster within protects the material from the elements and daily wear, just like the ancient peoples did in buildings that lasted for centuries. The structures are more fire-resistant than wooden buildings.
To find out more, check out the many informational articles, videos, and blogs online or books full of how-to tips. There are workshops and community projects where you can get hands-on experience. Statistics show how much can be saved on initial costs and how much more on on-going energy and maintenance over the years.
A one-story home built on a slab, with a regular roof, is a good DIY project. More complex structures increase both the cost and the time required to build; bales become more insulation than structural, load-bearing components. Most of the expense is in the foundation and the roof, both necessary to protect bales from ground moisture and rainfall. Wings, roof peaks, or projections are best left to more conventional construction methods.
Straw-bale buildings aren't only for drier climates. They work best in more arid environments, but there are many snug homes in New England and the Pacific Northwest. You can find all sorts of floor plans and photo galleries online, including shots of interiors, where the deep window and door recesses give an old-world charm to the rooms.
The photo galleries are great to see what's possible and get ideas, even if you're planning to build a simple home in the ancient tradition. You'll need to see if local building codes allow straw-bale construction and search for a bank that offers alternative-housing financing.
Straw truly is a great building material. It's cheap, since it has no food value and is good only for bedding or mulch. Unlike hay, it does not attract animals or insects which could damage the structure. Believe it or not, you can have a termite-free house - if you build with straw-bales.
Another plus is the insulating factor of a tightly-bound bale of straw. Thick walls made of this waste product of grain farming are very energy-efficient, keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer. They also deaden sound, so much so that work crews have trouble communicating from opposite sides unless they have the forethought to insert 'speaking tubes' of PVC pipe at strategic points between the bales.
Another thing that attracts many to this ancient craft is the fact that anyone can build using bales. A one-story unit with simple lines can use bales as load-bearing walls. It's easy to stabilize the bales with iron rods or wood framing. Stucco outside and plaster within protects the material from the elements and daily wear, just like the ancient peoples did in buildings that lasted for centuries. The structures are more fire-resistant than wooden buildings.
To find out more, check out the many informational articles, videos, and blogs online or books full of how-to tips. There are workshops and community projects where you can get hands-on experience. Statistics show how much can be saved on initial costs and how much more on on-going energy and maintenance over the years.
A one-story home built on a slab, with a regular roof, is a good DIY project. More complex structures increase both the cost and the time required to build; bales become more insulation than structural, load-bearing components. Most of the expense is in the foundation and the roof, both necessary to protect bales from ground moisture and rainfall. Wings, roof peaks, or projections are best left to more conventional construction methods.
Straw-bale buildings aren't only for drier climates. They work best in more arid environments, but there are many snug homes in New England and the Pacific Northwest. You can find all sorts of floor plans and photo galleries online, including shots of interiors, where the deep window and door recesses give an old-world charm to the rooms.
The photo galleries are great to see what's possible and get ideas, even if you're planning to build a simple home in the ancient tradition. You'll need to see if local building codes allow straw-bale construction and search for a bank that offers alternative-housing financing.
