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 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.
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.
As far as builders go, almost anyone can build a house from bales. Early homes were one-story buildings made of rows of bales as load-bearing walls. People learned to plaster inside and out to protect the integrity of the bales. Houses made in this way have lasted for generations. They're even virtually fireproof, much more so than wooden ones.
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.
It's a little different if you want a larger home. Authorities say that it's best to build up - a multi-story house - rather than out, since the greatest expense is in the foundation and the roof. Simple lines are best; any peaks or projections increase the chance of potential problems down the road. Steel reinforcing rods or conventional framing may be required for more these complex floor plans.
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.
Check out the photo galleries online to see homes of all sizes. Some are perfect for a homestead, while others fit right into any modern setting. In recent years, building codes have become friendlier to this kind of construction, and banks are more likely to extend financing to well-planned projects.
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.
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.
As far as builders go, almost anyone can build a house from bales. Early homes were one-story buildings made of rows of bales as load-bearing walls. People learned to plaster inside and out to protect the integrity of the bales. Houses made in this way have lasted for generations. They're even virtually fireproof, much more so than wooden ones.
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.
It's a little different if you want a larger home. Authorities say that it's best to build up - a multi-story house - rather than out, since the greatest expense is in the foundation and the roof. Simple lines are best; any peaks or projections increase the chance of potential problems down the road. Steel reinforcing rods or conventional framing may be required for more these complex floor plans.
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.
Check out the photo galleries online to see homes of all sizes. Some are perfect for a homestead, while others fit right into any modern setting. In recent years, building codes have become friendlier to this kind of construction, and banks are more likely to extend financing to well-planned projects.
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