Straw bale construction techniques

Top 8 advantages and challenges of straw bale construction. Care must be taken to protect the straw bale wall from moisture. Strawbale construction is a building method that uses bales of straw as structural elements. The most common straw bale construction method is known as the nebraska technique. Straw bale is a low cost material but requires labourintensive construction techniques. If your soil is so poor that amending, or enhancing, it with compost, fertilizers, or leaf mold makes you exhausted just thinking about it, then using straw bales for. Strawbale construction has many advantages, including the carbon sequestration of the material, low cost, availability, fireresistance, and insulation values. The terms are important, because if the material used is not the good one, the properties of the building and even its safety is not certain. The main construction techniques for straw bale buildings are load bearing and infill wall systems. Bales of straw from wheat, barley or oat are stacked on top on one another and staked together using hazel pins to form the structural loadbearing element of the superstructure.

Techniques a travel in the strawbale buildings in turkey. The original nebraska strawbale building technique was one in which walls of strawbales actually provided the support for the roofstructure above, so these are now referred to as loadbearing, and strawbale homes of this style continue to be built and permitted. Straw bale constructiontechniqueswalls wikibooks, open. As the name implies, this building method uses bales of straw e. Straw bale home construction is a building method that uses bales of straw commonly. Services strawbale construction design, build, stucco. She didnt know it at the time, but zaengleins path to ownership of a strawbale house started years ago, when david lanfear, owner and operator of. Cordwood construction and some straw bale too cordwood construction also known as cordwood masonry or stackwell building is a traditional building technique that is ideal for using reclaimed materials and for getting creative in design. Building a straw bale and plaster house is a lowcost and environmentally friendly way to create a home.

Special tools for straw bale california straw building. Not all of these are necessarily suitable or recommended for any australian or new zealand conditions. At the same time, consumers are searching for more natural and sustainable alternatives to standard building materials. Beginners guide to straw bale gardening gardening with straw bales is the answer to any organic gardeners prayers. Three popular mud and straw based natural building techniques are cob, straw bale and earthbag. Straw bale house construction why build a straw bale house. The red feather construction handbook corum, nathaniel, goodall, jane on. Straw bale construction provides affordable, efficient. Straw bale buildings have employed a wide range of techniques, construction details and finishes around the world. Homesteaders in the great plains started building with bales in the late 1800s, and many of these structures still stand today. The first straw bale structures we know of were built about a hundred years ago by european settlers in the sand hills of nebraska. This is the first of a few videos ill post touring hassans straw bale round housea structure still under construction that showcases just about.

Thank goodness modern straw bale construction techniques have a leg up on whatever method the three little pigs used. Some examples of straw bale construction are homes, farm buildings, churches, community centers, etc. Humidity the arch enemy of any straw bale construction will accumulate inside bales covered in cement stucco. This also reduces the labor costs involved in building which can be substantial in many parts of the developed world.

This guide covers the materials and methods you might use to build a straw bale house, a house that. Straw bales are a highly insulative, lowembodiedenergy, natural building material made from an agricultural waste product. However, there are also pitfalls to using straw bales for construction. Straw bale building construction with straw wausau wi. Click here if you are new to straw bale construction and want to start learning.

But information on how to shape curves is sparse, so i thought id share some of what weve learned over years of doing bale work. In this five chapter guide youll learn exactly what straw bale gardening is all about. Whether your design is simple and basis or an intricate post. Straw bale gardening ultimate 5chapter beginners guide.

Paja construction specializes in custom straw bale homes mostly in the greater albuquerque area and across new mexico. The technique was used successfully for strawbale housing in rural china. Straw bale construction is a sustainable construction technique that uses bales or bundles of straw as the main construction element. For those who prefer using natural materials, building a straw bale house may seem like a great option. Bgh seths straw bale construction techniques youtube. Window curves are one of the most distinctive features in straw bale homes, and are often a big consideration in the choice to go with straw bale over other forms of construction. The straw bale wall contains a truth window showing the straw bale and mud construction. Straw bales can be used as structural elements, insulation or both. Jun 05, 2015 she didnt know it at the time, but zaengleins path to ownership of a strawbale house started years ago, when david lanfear, owner and operator of bale on bale construction, did an earth day. Most strawbale construction uses a frame of timber or steel for the building.

In this first chapter, youll learn about the benefits of a straw bale garden and what youll need to create your own. Straw bale construction is proven to be energy efficient and ideal for this highdesert region. Chris began building and renovating homes over 25 years ago working and experimenting with conventional building techniques and also mud brick and straw bale. Straw bale constructiontechniquesfinishes wikibooks, open. For many, they are locally available and affordable. If you plan on building a straw bale house, either by yourself or with a contractor unfamiliar with straw bale construction, i believe you will find a package here to help you achieve the success you are after without the stress that so often accompanies construction projects. Home straw bale construction since 1991 paja construction. Specific advice should be sought before embarking on any risky undertakings such as construction of a building. Germany and france in the 1700s used straw as a means of constructing various buildings that can even still be visited today. The latest research in the field of straw bale design and construction is presented. As the above list implies, there are differing techniques for housing the straw within the wall. Strawbale home construction is a building method that uses bales of straw commonly. Straw is baled material from oats, barley, rice and others. The original nebraska straw bale building technique was one in which walls of straw bales actually provided the support for the roofstructure above, so these are now referred to as loadbearing, and straw bale homes of this style continue to be built and permitted.

Experimentation with straw bale construction continues. Strawbale walls are most typically plastered on the outside with lime, clay, or a cement and lime mix. Feb 14, 2018 this is the first of a few videos ill post touring hassans straw bale round housea structure still under construction that showcases just about every natural building technique you can imagine. Straw bale construction is a building method that commonly uses straw from wheat, rice, rye and oats, as building insulation. Straw bales have good insulation properties and keep the building warm in winter and cool in summer, with rvalues between 40 and 60 when built correctly.

Strawbale construction is a building method that commonly uses straw from wheat, rice, rye and oats, as building insulation. Many of the early structures are still standing and being used. Innovative tips and techniques on all phases of wall building from design to finish. The original nebraska strawbale building technique was one in which walls of strawbales actually provided the support for the. Since it is not a conventional building material, the contractor or doityourselfer will need to learn new construction techniques. Research has shown that strawbale construction is a sustainable method for building, from the standpoint of both materials and energy.

Straw bale construction is a green building method that uses whole or partial bales of straw as a major part of a homes walls. The history of straw bail construction has a strong foundation in the 1700s, but dates much further back in africa during the paleolithic era old stone age. Straw bale construction is a relatively sustainable construction method, with straw being a renewable material that is readily available. Building with straw was a very unknown building method at the time, so i had to invent a lot of the techniques as i went. Straw bale building typically consists of stacking rows of bales often in runningbond on a raised footing or foundation. Professional directory australasian straw bale building.

Cordwood construction and some straw bale too rena. Some builders construct frames around the bales and use the bales for insulation, while others eliminate the framing altogether. Details on the latest straw bale engineering, window flashing, electrical wiring, and much more. Welcome to my name is andrew morrison and welcome to my straw bale building site dedicated to anyone interested in building their own straw bale house. By paul lacinski and michel bergeron, chelsea green publishing company, 2000. A good deal of standardization and refinement in regard to techniques, tools, and. Current straw bale construction technology provides quality housing that is not only safe from the big, bad wolf, but also affordable and energyefficient. The pros and cons of straw bale wall construction in green building following are some pros and cons of building a straw bale house. If you are brand new to straw bale or are a straw bale construction specialist theres something for you at stra. Many of the structures built back then are still standing and being used. Straw bale constructiontechniquesfinishes wikibooks. Straw bale construction is a sustainable construction technique, with straw as a renewable material that is readily available.

Straw bale gardening is a great way to extend your growing season, create a garden in areas with lessthanideal soil, and make tasks like planting and weeding less laborintensive. In depew strawbale home, ancient construction technique. The material is ecofriendly, fairly affordable, and reasonably easy to work with, making it an appealing approach to building a home. Strawbale round house showcases every natural building. Seth marsh of manzanita construction shares how straw bale homes are made. Straw is easy to work with for people new to construction as they are flexible and can be very forgiving. The techniques used for straw bale construction usually involve stacking rows of bales on a raised footing or foundation. But information on how to shape curves is sparse, so i thought id share some of. Three popular mud and strawbased natural building techniques are cob, straw bale and earthbag. I have now built with the help of friends, students, and family seven such buildings on our land. The disadvantages of straw bale construction hunker. Design services 97% of the time most people want a customized floor plan.

If straw bale building codes are not part of your local codes, it may be a bit more work to get your plans approved. Straw bale construction has been around since the early 1900s. Straw bale construction has many advantages, including the carbon sequestration of the material, low cost, availability, fireresistance, and insulation values. In 1991 i founded a straw bale construction company in albuquerque new mexico. This construction method is commonly used in natural building or brown construction projects.

It is very important to make this clear at the outset. Straw bale construction is that it is a relatively easy method for new builders, meaning that it can be utilized by ownerbuilders without extensive experience or volunteer crews. Physical properties of straw bales as a construction material mdpi. Straw bale construction is a method of building that uses bales or bundles of straw. Jan 28, 2008 seth marsh of manzanita construction shares how straw bale homes are made. Straw bale house construction dancing rabbit ecovillage.

Speaking about strawbale buildings means speaking about different building techniques, but all of them including straw not hay pressed into a bale. People often ask me which i think is better, or greener. Straw is the stems of cereal crops, left over after grains such as rice, wheat, barley and oats have been harvested. Information guide to straw bale building for selfbuilders and the construction industry amazon nails, hollinroyd farm. Cadmon whitty, owner and operator of paja construction, was a founding member of the new mexico straw bale construction association. We have worked on over 350 straw bale buildings and have experience coordinating the project details with other professionals on these job sites. Straw bale constructiontechniqueswalls wikibooks, open books. The straw is the stalk of the grain without the grain head. Like any building material, it is always best to evaluate your needs and your goals before committing to a particular material.

Strawbale round house showcases every natural building method. Straw bale domes along the syrioafrican rift at kibbutz lotan have an. An excellent addition to the literature on strawbale, especially appropriate for those in wet, cold climates. Speaking about straw bale buildings means speaking about different building techniques, but all of them including straw not hay pressed into a bale. Straw bales can be designed as a loadbearing structure to withstand lateral and shear resistance imposed by wind and. Properly built and maintained, straw buildings can have a useful life span of at least 100 years. Clay plaster allow higher water vapour permeability through the walls than lime plaster, which in turn is much more than cement plasters. This wall uses a cement stucco base coat since it is located in the splash zone of the shower. Earthcraft construction has built three straw bale homes in boise, id and the surrounding area. A good deal of standardization and refinement in regard to techniques, tools, and associated materials is now appearing. After the edible part of grains have been harvested, their stalks are disposed of by farmers and in many areas, they are burned. It is the latter uses in which straw bales are employed. Chris rule has always been interested in all things handson, with a love of creativity and construction.

The use of straw bales is typically found in natural building projects, or earthen construction, and while historically it has been a common. Building a home using straw bale construction mother. Bale needles are used to insert twine to change the size of the bale or to attach items to the bales. Projects that incorporate some volunteer or workshopbased construction can deliver cost savings. Straw bale construction and its evolution in building codes. A home construction guide for all climates real goods solar living book at. Along the way, i realized i had to stop idealizing straw bale as a building material and start looking at it critically. The low afternoon sun cast a warm, rich light on the straw bale walls of a newly completed structure.

As a result, straw bale construction techniques have been enjoying a renaissance. When packed and tied into tightly compressed bales, this material turns into excellent building blocks, fireresistant and highly insulating. The technique has been applied to homes, farm buildings, schools, commercial buildings, churches. If you have a floor plan already, our full service drafting department can work with you to make sure they are revised and compatible with our building components for construction purposes. This guide covers the materials and methods you might use to build a straw bale house, a house that can last hundreds of years, is energy efficient and is cheap to maintain. Acoustics of bale and other natural building wall systems.

There are 2 basic types of straw bale construction. Straw bale construction is a building method that uses bales of straw commonly wheat, rice, rye and oats straw as structural elements, building insulation, or both. By planning and preparing in advance, conditioning the bales, and choosing the right plants, you can build a solid basis to start growing and harvesting your own fruits and vegetables from straw bales this season. Build your home with this timetested, renewable resource. Strawbale construction is a building method that uses bales of straw commonly wheat, rice, rye and oats straw as structural elements, building insulation, or both. Construction began this month on what will be the uks largest straw bale building, which will utilize prefabricated construction and local straw from nearby farmland. Straw bale construction designing buildings wiki share your construction industry knowledge. Straw bales can be used as a loadbearing or a nonload bearing component in a building.