Lots of us out there are interested in building a straw bale home; but while intriguing, straw bale building is nothing new. Building with straw dates back to before history was recorded because straw and grasses were the most readily available building materials for our ancestors. Only in the 20th Century have bales of straw been used in the actual building of homes, and straw bale building has of late become extremely popular.
Straw is an agricultural by-product that is usually considered waste and so is burned. In fact, here in the United States we burn up about 200 million tons of it a year. Wouldn’t it be great to use it in building instead?
High energy efficiency
A straw bale home is incredibly energy efficient. Compared to a conventional stick home, a home built with straw bale can lower your heating and cooling costs up to 75%. The thickness of the bales themselves are part of the reason, but also in play is the fact that the bales are plastered with one and one-quarter to one and one-half inches of plaster on both sides of each bale; these two factors make for a lot of insulation. Of course a lot more goes into the equation, but this is a great energy efficient start.
Straw bale is beautiful
Straw bale makes a beautiful home. The look of straw bale is one of simplicity and downright earthiness, even primitive; it’s a look that most people love because of its uniqueness and calming effect.
A very quiet home
Your straw bale home will be extremely quiet because of the thick insulation of the bales themselves. You’ll bask in unbelievable serenity and tranquility, both of which add to the calming effect straw bale homes have on people. A straw bale home is a true haven from the pandemonium all around us, and is a major reason for their popularity.
Less fire risk
If you’ve heard that straw bale homes pose more of a fire risk than conventionally built homes, don’t believe it. In fact, the opposite is true. Due to the tight construction and the one and one-quarter to one and one-half inch plaster on both sides of the bales, no oxygen can get in to feed a fire, and without oxygen no fire can survive. Straw bale walls don’t breathe, and that’s a good thing because it does lower your risk of fire and also because it’s easier to get your straw bale home insured. Insurance companies used to say that they couldn’t insure these homes due to fire risk, but it’s now been proven otherwise.
“Sick home syndrome”
Straw is a very green way to build, it helps our environment while making for a healthier home since straw isn’t guilty of offgassing-the producing of harmful gasses that make us sick. A straw bale home is fun to build and will be a great way to bring friends and neighbors together, thus helping our environment and our communities.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw-bale_construction
