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.
A tightly-bound bale of dried grain stalks is strong and an excellent insulator against heat, cold, and noise. Homes built with this material in the walls are outstanding for energy efficiency, saving their owners money year after year. Construction workers need to insert PVC pipe 'speaking tubes' between bales if they want to communicate with workers on the other side.
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.
There are a lot of how-to tips in books or online, which anyone interested in this sort of housing would do well to check out. Even those who want a contractor to do the job should know what's involved. There are even workshops to give potential DIY builders hands on experience. It's a good way to save on initial costs and those associated with energy use and maintenance.
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.
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.
A tightly-bound bale of dried grain stalks is strong and an excellent insulator against heat, cold, and noise. Homes built with this material in the walls are outstanding for energy efficiency, saving their owners money year after year. Construction workers need to insert PVC pipe 'speaking tubes' between bales if they want to communicate with workers on the other side.
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.
There are a lot of how-to tips in books or online, which anyone interested in this sort of housing would do well to check out. Even those who want a contractor to do the job should know what's involved. There are even workshops to give potential DIY builders hands on experience. It's a good way to save on initial costs and those associated with energy use and maintenance.
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.
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.
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