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.
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.
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.
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.
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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