Find Answers To Your Straw Bale Construction Questions

Essential articles, how to guides, and stories from builds across the country

Dive into step by step how to articles, code and permitting tips, materials sourcing, design strategies, and workshop updates. Whether you are dreaming, planning, or building, you will find practical answers and inspiration from the field.

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Timbo Scursso 2/10/25 Timbo Scursso 2/10/25

Psocid Infestations in Straw Bale Homes

These tiny little insects are also known as booklice and bark-lice and are known to feed on old books and other natural materials. It’s rare to have them infest a straw bale house, but it can happen. Here’s how to handle it.

Andrew Morrison 10/14/14 Andrew Morrison 10/14/14

Repairing Straw Bale Water Damaged Walls

Water damage in straw bale walls is something that does not happen very often, especially in well built homes; but, even with the best construction practices, it can happen. When it does, it's important to know how to recognize it and how to fix it.

Andrew Morrison 7/29/13 Andrew Morrison 7/29/13

Replacing Rotten Straw in an Existing Straw Bale House

A consulting client recently asked me about the best practice is for removing rotten straw from an existing straw bale house. Whether you need to replace a small amount of straw or an entire section of bales, the process is pretty much the same. Below are the steps to replacing rotten straw in an existing house. Although each specific location may have subtle differences, the basic steps are still the same.

Andrew Morrison 10/15/07 Andrew Morrison 10/15/07

Straw Bale Building and Sawtoothed Grain Beetles

Saw Tooth Grain Beetles arrived with the bales and are now setting off smoke detectors. What to in this unusual situation? Learn more here.