People have needed houses since the very beginning of the human race. Although the first people probably lived in caves, straw bale house builders lived in Africa long before written history. Settlers on the American prairies built this kind of housing in pioneer days. People of all walks of life are still building them today all around the world.
Straw makes great building material. It's better than hay, which has intrinsic value (it can be used or sold for animal feed), entices animals to chew on straw-based buildings, and can harbor insects. Stalks of grain when mature have the food value in the seed heads; the rest of the stalk is dry and lifeless. Even insects (including termites) don't bother with it.
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.
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 makes great building material. It's better than hay, which has intrinsic value (it can be used or sold for animal feed), entices animals to chew on straw-based buildings, and can harbor insects. Stalks of grain when mature have the food value in the seed heads; the rest of the stalk is dry and lifeless. Even insects (including termites) don't bother with it.
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.
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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