Straw-bale Construction

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Straw-bale construction is a building method that uses bales of hay (commonly wheat, rice, rye and oats straw) as structural elements, building insulation or both. This construction method is commonly used in natural building or “brown” construction projects. Research has shown that straw-bale construction is a sustainable method for building, from the standpoint of both materials and energy needed for heating and cooling.

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Advantages of straw-bale construction over conventional building systems include; the renewable nature of straw, cost, easy availability, naturally fire-retardant and high insulation value. Disadvantages include susceptibility to rot, difficulty of obtaining insurance coverage, and high space requirements for the straw itself. Research has been done using moisture probes placed within the straw wall in which 7 of 8 locations had moisture contents of less than 20%. This is a moisture level that does not aid in the breakdown of the straw. However, proper construction of the straw-bale wall is important in keeping moisture levels down, just as in the construction of any type of building.

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What are your thoughts on incorporating straw bales into building new homes?

 

 

1 thought on “Straw-bale Construction

  1. I’ve been wanting a straw bale home since I first read about it in Mother Earth News in the 1980s. I’ve never given up on the idea. Please do all you can to promote this great method. More people need to know about it.

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