Straw Bale Houses

Straw bale houses offer many benefits to their residents. But maybe I'd better explain first what these houses are. These beautiful buildings are constructed of bales of straw, which are kept dry by being covered with a plaster on both sides of the bales. Often a wide overhang is used on the outside of the home too.

Most frequently, straw bale houses are built with a post-and-beam framework made of lumber. The bales are used as infill. This method is described as non-load-bearing since the weight (load) of the roof does not bear down on the straw. Building codes that address straw bale building are likely to require this technique.

In contrast, a "load-bearing" straw bale house has the roof resting right on the straw bales. This requires care in construction so that the weight is properly balanced. This method is more ecological, as it uses less wood.

This method is simpler for beginners. It is amazing how quickly those straw bale walls can go up! Still, after they are in place, there is plenty more work to do.

Straw bale building is probably most popular in the southwestern desert states of the US, but it is now being done in many other places too. Building codes exist that directly address the specifics of straw bale construction, and some banks will make loans for straw bale houses.

So now, what are some benefits of building or living in a straw bale house?

1. Insulation: With its thicker walls providing excellent insulation, a straw bale house stays more comfortable year round, cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This saves considerably on energy costs. Of course, this savings continues, year in and year out, and so it will make a real difference in the cost of living in the home.

2. Renewable resources: Straw is something which can be grown just about anywhere, so it is a relatively local resource and it does not deplete our reserves. So ecologically minded people are attracted to straw bale houses for this reason. More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of building sustainably.

3. Living in straw bale houses is a joy: The beauty of the hand-finished walls with their lovely plasters, the thick walls, and other features make the experience of living in such a home very nice indeed. An added benefit of the thick walls is that it is quieter inside the house because of the insulation.

In summary, straw bale houses are ecological and beautiful. Beginners can build them. While building a house is never a simple project -- just ask anyone who has done it! -- straw bale houses offer many advantages.

Article Source: http://www.share.onlypunjab.com

If you think you might like to make a strawbale house, visit Rosana Hart's website on straw bale houses and her Squidoo page on load bearing straw bale houses.

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