Advice on Building a Straw Bale House

January/February 2006
By Chris Magwood, Peter Mack and Tina Therrien 
straw bale house, home, green building
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COURTESY NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS; LAURA TAYLOR
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It may sound odd, but walls made from plaster-coated straw bales are a popular alternative building option. Advocates say straw bale houses are attractive, affordable, energy efficient, environmentally friendly and can be designed in many styles. Here are expert answers to common questions about straw bale homes, provided by Chris Magwood, Peter Mack and Tina Therrien, authors of the new book,

RELATED CONTENT

More Straw Bale Building.

Fireproof? Tests have confirmed that straw bale walls are naturally fire resistant. When straw is compacted into bales, there's not enough air for the straw to burn well. The plaster coating seals the bales into a noncombustible casing.

Moisture? The plaster coating on straw bale walls prevents moisture migration through walls, and proper construction techniques, such as raising the bale walls off the foundation and onto a wooden curb, will ensure that any spills or floods inside the house will not soak into the walls.

Pests? The ideal homes for pests offer openings, nests and food?all of which are not found in properly maintained straw bale walls. Plaster seals the bales with a protective barrier against pests. Should a gap be left open, the densely packed bales discourage rodents from making it their home. Stick-frame walls make a much more inviting space for pests, especially when the walls are packed with soft batt insulation.

Building Costs? Because bales are more user friendly than other wall systems, you can save on labor costs on new construction by doing the work yourself. Most people combine hired help with their own labor and that of family, friends and neighbors.
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Comments

  • Jesse Crowe 1/20/2009 9:51:22 AM

    Hi,
    This comment is for Linda Dattilo. I am a contractor from Northwest Ohio with a dedicated focus on building green and straw bale homes. I would love to help you out in any way possible. For information, questions, or to get a quote on building a bale home please e-mail me at croweseconest@gmail.com

  • Thomas Landgrebe 9/5/2008 3:39:16 PM

    I have studied straw bale houses for three years, and I would like to build my own straw bale house, If you have any questions I have also helped/given ideas to Andrew from straw Bale.com. If I can help write me an e-mail, Thank you, Thomas

    P.S. I also have some great ideas for HVAC, and Solar Lighting.

  • Thomas Landgrebe 9/5/2008 11:38:33 AM

    I have studied straw bale homes for three years, I would like to build my own house( made of straw ) I have helped/given ideas to Andrew From "STRAW BALE.com" If you have any questions please e-mail me, Thank you, Thomas
    I also have some great ideas with HVAC, and Solar lighting.

  • melva flores 5/10/2007 12:00:00 AM

    I WANT TO BUILD A STRAW BALE HOME FOR MY MOTHER, SHE LIVES IN
    ARIZONA., WOULD THAT BE A GOOD IDEA? WE HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT
    FOR SOME TIME. AND WHATS THE ESIMATE OF THE COST?

  • John Study 4/24/2007 12:00:00 AM

    We are building a straw bale house in West Central Indiana and
    are looking for individuals wanting to learn as they help with the
    straw and plastering portions.

  • John Study 4/24/2007 12:00:00 AM

    Looking for help on raising straw bales on Timber Frame Home.
    Near Green Castle, Indiana

  • MICHAEL HOUSER 8/28/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I LIVE IN LAS VEGAS,NEVADA. I AM A NATIVE HERE AND I OWN AMOST
    ONE ACRE NEAR PECOS AND RUSSELL ROADS.IN THE QUAIL ESTATES. MY
    QUESTION IS. I WANT TO BUILD A LARGE STRAW BALE ADOBE HOUSE FOR
    RUNAWAY TEENS. HOW DO I RAISE THE FUNDS AND HOW DO I FIND PEOPLE TO
    HELP ME BUILD IT? I HAVE WORKED IN SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR THE PAST
    TWENTY YEARS AND THIS IS MY DREAM! I LOVE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF
    ADOBE HOMES AND BECAUSE OUR POWER BILLS ARE OVER $200 PER MONTH I
    WOULD LIKE IDEAS AND PLANS FOR A TWO STOREY SEVEN OR EIGHT BEDROOM
    HOME. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, MICHAEL JAMES HOUSER.

  • RAJESH Vyas 5/4/2006 12:00:00 AM

    Its very impressive

  • LINDA Dattilo 4/29/2006 12:00:00 AM

    Hi Everyone!I wonder if there is anyone in Ohio with knowledge
    of how to build a home with Straw Bales?This seems like something
    that would come naturally for those of us living in Ohio near so
    many cornfiels.Is there a video or something that could give
    instruction?Any information would be
    appreciated.Thanks,Linda

  • Shane Morilon 3/8/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I am looking to learn more about about biodynamic farming and
    homesteading. Fit 23 year old non smoker looking for an
    apprenticeship program or some type of community living experiance.
    Lots of enthusiasm and a desire to meet new groups of honest,
    playful, and compassionate people.

  • CYNTHIA germany 3/4/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I live in Ely where the winters are generally wet and windy is
    straw bale a feasible builing material here?

  • SUNNIE JOHNSON 2/28/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I believe I just heard that the late actor [as of yesterday Feb
    27th], Dennis Weaver, built a home using straw bales and
    cans.

  • GEOFF Davis 2/27/2006 12:00:00 AM

    Living in New Mexico and am wondering about strawbale home
    construction for this area. Also do straw bale homes use cement as
    floor material or what????

  • GLENDA Brittain 2/12/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I'm a single grandmother raising my three grandchildren. Thank
    You for all the great articles. I have put many of them to use and
    really appreciate your magazine. I started reading it in the 1960s
    but got lost in work and had little time. What a great
    'reunion'.

  • GLENDA Brittain 2/12/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I'm a single grandmother raising my three grandchildren. Thank
    You for all the great articles. I have put many of them to use and
    really appreciate your magazine. I started reading it in the 1960s
    but got lost in work and had little time. What a great
    'reunion'.

  • njoynit 2/3/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I lerned of your magazine from my husbands grandmom.she gave me
    a box of the magazines from the 80s.I've really been enjoying
    them.

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