Straw Bale Building Thoughts & Opinions...

[wroughtn_harv]

In 97 I was lassoed into visiting a straw bale house under construction outside Oak Creek Arizona.

If I was cashing out a house (paying as I go without a lender) and I lived in an area that got a tad warm in the summer I'd sure consider going unconventional construction.

I really liked the idea of the straw house concept and I don't think it would be that difficult technique wise. But if I did it I do know of two things I'd do for sure. One of course would be to run two of everything conduit or line that was going to be in a wall. I can see where repairs would be awkward at best and a catastrophe at worst.

The other is I'd take thousands of pictures making sure I had every detail detailed and recorded. This would insure simplifying repair work and it would be a record explaining the quality and skill used in construction if it ever had to be sold.

The one I visited used bales stacked for walls and then was covered with gunited concrete with lots of rebar supports. If I recall correctly there was two to four inches of gunnite per wall side. The straw's function was not unlike using cardboard voids in footers from my perspective.

 

[beenthere]

I remember years back when it was the 'earth homes' that were the 'coming thing'.
One development near here was set aside with covenants that only earth homes could be built. After several were built, the interest waned, and conventional homes were allowed. The earth homes are sitting empty now, as they cannot be sold. I really thought they would work out well, but apparently living in the 'cave' didn't appeal to many after the newness wore off. You could heat them with a candle, pret' near.

Not saying the straw homes would be a short-term thing, but think 'conventional' would be a better investment than 'straw'.

I'm presently changing a shower out after building this 'conventional' house 37 years ago, and I marvel that its in such good condition today. Doubt I could say that if it was straw. But, I don't know that for sure......... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[hobbyfarm]

I appreciate all the responses. I am kicking around the idea, but, not here where I'm at now.
Here, they think metal studs is really pushing the envelope. Until steel went up, metal studs was the way to go. They were about 1/4 the price of wood.
All of your replies have valuable information in them.
Thanks.