Why Build With Straw Bales?
Straw bale construction lends itself well to an owner-builder project. Some of the applications well suited for straw bale include a cottage, office, garage, studio, and art barn. You don’t have to limit yourself to these smaller projects.
Thousands of people have successfully built their own straw bale house. As a world leader in straw bale education, we want to help you every step of the way.
Read on for more reasons to build with straw bales!
Home built with bales by Timbo Scursso.
Photo Credit Straw Bale Home Designs.
Here are 7 reasons why you should consider home building with straw bales:
Energy Efficiency
A well-built straw bale home can save you up to 75% on heating and cooling costs. In fact, in most climates, air conditioning units are not installed into bales homes as the natural cooling cycles of the planet are enough to keep the house cool all summer long.
Sound Proofing
Straw bale walls provide excellent sound insulation and are superior wall systems for homeowners looking to block out the sounds of traffic or airplanes in urban environments.
Fire resistance
Straw bale homes have roughly three times the fire resistance of conventional homes. Dense bales mean limited oxygen, which in turn means no flames.
Environmental responsibility
Building with straw helps the planet in many ways. For example, straw is a waste product that is either burned or composted in standing water. By using the straw instead of eliminating it, we reduce either air pollution or water consumption, both of which impact the environment in general.
Natural Materials
Using straw as insulation means that the standard insulation materials are removed from the home. Standard fiberglass insulation has formaldehyde in it, a known carcinogen. Bale walls also eliminate the use of plywood in the walls. Plywood contains unhealthy glues that can off-gas into the house over time.
Aesthetics
Nothing is as calming and beautiful as a straw bale wall in a home. Time and time again, we walk people through homes, and they are immediately struck by the beauty and the “feeling” of the walls. It’s hard explain this one, you’ll just have to walk through your own to see what we mean. (Learn more about Finding a Straw Bale Stay in this article.
Reduce Wood Consumption
If built as a load-bearing assembly, the wood in the walls can be almost eliminated, except for around the windows, doors, and beam. The harvesting of forests is a global concern, and any reduction in the use of wood material is a good thing for the long-term health of the planet.
Even infill bale homes can reduce the use of wood by using engineered lumber for the posts and beams, as well as smart design concepts. The engineered material uses smaller, faster-growing trees instead of larger, slower-growing species.