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Looking Back at Our 2024 Hands-On Straw Bale Workshops: A Year of Meaningful Growth
We find ourselves looking back on a journey filled with achievement, insight, and beautiful connections. We’re grateful not only for the tangible results but also for the meaningful experiences shared with each of you along the way.
Protecting the Top of Walls in Straw Bale Homes
No one likes a leaky roof; however, this simple technique can help prevent costly damage and provide peace of mind.
Bale Stops Strengthen and Simplify Your Build
Bale stops are a simple framing solution in a straw bale house. They both strengthen the walls and simplify the construction process. Learn more...
Free Arkin Tilt Plans Offered for Victims of California Wildfires
I spoke with David Arkin about the incredibly generous and caring offer that he and is wife Anni Tilt are making for those people who lost their homes in the California wildfires.
Creating Straight Bale Walls On a Crooked Frame
It was immediately obvious while working on the exposed timber frame that the natural cut timbers would not line up with the plane of the bale wall once complete. What we did worked out really well and created a beautiful and STRAIGHT wall.
Strengthen Your Walls
For me, the extra work of compressing your straw bale walls is more than worth it and the quality of the overall job you will get as a result of this step is measurably better than working with soft or loose walls.
Straw Bale Home is Cover of Fine Homebuilding
For those of you who have been curious what it will take to help straw bale homes become more mainstream, this may be a part of the answer. David Arkin and Annie Tilt (Arkin-Tilt Architects) have received many awards over the years and their straw bale homes have at least twice graced the covers of Fine Homebuilding Magazine, this time in the fall 2014 edition of Small Homes Cabins and Cottages.
Step By Step Guide To Creating Niches
One of the most artistic expressions of a straw bale wall are the niches that are carved into it. I have laid out a step-by-step process for the most common niche I see in straw bale homes: the arch top.
Plumbing Details in Straw Bale Construction
You have likely heard me say this before, but it is worth saying again: keep your plumbing out of your bales. Of course, it's not as simple as that when it comes to adding plumbing to a straw bale house. There are obviously more details to consider in…
Speed Up Your Post and Beam Framing - StrawBale.com
Proper framing techniques will speed and simplify your process. Follow these straightforward steps to get your frame erected quickly and much more easily than standard post and beam framing practices.