Historians tell us that mankind began to build houses very early on. Apparently as soon as people looked for housing other than caves, straw bale house builders lived in Africa. Immigrants to America continued this craft in the mid-west, building one-story homes from baled stalks left after the grain harvest. Today, people who want affordable, durable, practical, and attractive housing are doing it again.
Straw is actually a superior building material. It's a waste product, essentially; it's only use is as bedding material or mulch, and it's often burned in the field. It works better than hay, which has food value. Hay can be used for animal feed or sold, so it's a valuable crop, and it also attracts animals and insects when used in walls of structures. Even termites leave straw-bales alone.
A tightly-bound bale is a great insulator from heat and cold and also from sound. This means that this kind of home is superbly energy-efficient. The thick walls deaden sound so much that it's a problem during construction; those inside can't communicate with those on the other side of the wall unless they insert PVC pipes between bales for speaking tubes.
You don't need to be a contractor to build a house from straw-bales. It's not hard to find a contractor who can do the job, but many people consider a simple home of this type a DIY project. In the early days, people built one-story structures with a foundation to keep the bales off the ground and away from moisture. The bales formed load-bearing walls. Plaster inside and out, or stucco, protected the bales from the weather. A tight bale is also virtually fireproof.
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.
Building a larger home is more complicated. It's recommended that this kind of structure be built tall rather than long and wide, since the foundation and roof are the most expensive components. The lines of the house should be simple, since room projections, roof peaks, and such things as wings increase both the cost of construction and the difficulty of the project.
This type of structure works best in drier climates, but people are successfully living in straw-bale homes in the Pacific Northwest and in New England, where rain and snow are plentiful. All it takes is careful planning and over-hanging roofs. Thick walls mean that the apertures for doors and windows are deep, which gives old-world charm to interior rooms. Many floor plans are available to show how homeowners and contractors work with bales to make affordable but comfortable and beautiful housing.
Look at the photos that show amazing houses and useful outbuildings built this way. Of course, this style is perfect for homesteads and the 'back to the land' movement. However, it's also used by those who want to save on the cost of living while enjoying an unusual, contemporary home with all the modern conveniences.
Straw is actually a superior building material. It's a waste product, essentially; it's only use is as bedding material or mulch, and it's often burned in the field. It works better than hay, which has food value. Hay can be used for animal feed or sold, so it's a valuable crop, and it also attracts animals and insects when used in walls of structures. Even termites leave straw-bales alone.
A tightly-bound bale is a great insulator from heat and cold and also from sound. This means that this kind of home is superbly energy-efficient. The thick walls deaden sound so much that it's a problem during construction; those inside can't communicate with those on the other side of the wall unless they insert PVC pipes between bales for speaking tubes.
You don't need to be a contractor to build a house from straw-bales. It's not hard to find a contractor who can do the job, but many people consider a simple home of this type a DIY project. In the early days, people built one-story structures with a foundation to keep the bales off the ground and away from moisture. The bales formed load-bearing walls. Plaster inside and out, or stucco, protected the bales from the weather. A tight bale is also virtually fireproof.
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.
Building a larger home is more complicated. It's recommended that this kind of structure be built tall rather than long and wide, since the foundation and roof are the most expensive components. The lines of the house should be simple, since room projections, roof peaks, and such things as wings increase both the cost of construction and the difficulty of the project.
This type of structure works best in drier climates, but people are successfully living in straw-bale homes in the Pacific Northwest and in New England, where rain and snow are plentiful. All it takes is careful planning and over-hanging roofs. Thick walls mean that the apertures for doors and windows are deep, which gives old-world charm to interior rooms. Many floor plans are available to show how homeowners and contractors work with bales to make affordable but comfortable and beautiful housing.
Look at the photos that show amazing houses and useful outbuildings built this way. Of course, this style is perfect for homesteads and the 'back to the land' movement. However, it's also used by those who want to save on the cost of living while enjoying an unusual, contemporary home with all the modern conveniences.
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