Straw Bale Construction

As building materials go, few things are more versatile, inexpensive and forgiving as straw-bales. This makes them ideal for owner-builders who may lack experience, cash or both. Bales can be formed into curved walls and arches, they can be notched, gouged, cut in half, split in half and if they still don’t fit they can be persuaded with ‘bale whackers’ - a square block of wood mounted on a wooden handle. I bought 350, 2-string straw bales to build the walls of my 30 x 50 house; and they cost a whopping $400. Read the story

Read The Diary Of A Self-Described “Mildly Insane Owner Builder” As Their Straw Bale Home Was Constructed

Diary Table of Contents

>In the Beginning Dec. 30 2002 to Jan. 5, 2003 Jan. 6 to Jan. 12, 2003 Jan. 13 to Jan. 19, 2003 Jan. 20 to Jan. 26, 2003 Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, 2003 Feb. 3 to Feb. 9, 2003 Feb. 10 through Feb. 23, 2003 Feb 24 through March 2, 2003 Mar 3 through Mar 16, 2003

May 1 through May 16, 2003 June 1 through June 15, 2003 June 16 through June 23, 2003 As of July 29, 2003 As of September 14, 2003 As of December 2003 As of March 3, 2004

As of May 7, 2004

As of July 2004

It’s Done!!!

A Single Mom’s Straw Bale Journey

Welcome to my Walden: This load-bearing straw bale house was built by me, Carolyn Roberts, consultant Jon Ruez, and many friends on evenings and weekends, using natural (straw bale walls, earthen plasters, earthen floor) and recycled materials wherever possible. We passed 23 county inspections. It’s an incredibly sturdy, beautiful and well-insulated house that will last for many years and only cost $50,000 to build (land not included). The straw walls offer insulation from the summer heat, while the earthen plasters and floor give thermal mass to maintain an even interior temperature. A well-insulated ceiling helps, too. The south-facing sunroom heats my home in the winter. I can collect 500 gallons of rainwater in a 1/2 inch rain. A hand-made solar water heater with a small tankless heater as backup provides all my hot water. My electric bills average $35 per month year-round (no gas service here). Many people thought I was crazy, but this is by far the wisest thing I have ever done, though possibly the most difficult. Read More Here

This Silent Video Teaches Much About Assembling Straw Bale Walls

Find more videos like this on Sustainable Practices

Straw Locator - Place an add to purchase bales here

Internet Hay Exchange - Look here for hay bales for sale in your region

Straw Bale Social Club - Yup, it’s a yahoo group with over 1,100 members! Why not join and expand your knowledge of straw bale construction methods, tips and techniques?

International Straw Bale Registry A very nice listing of organizations and private citizens who have registered their straw bale buildings. Many of these folks will offer tours and other advice to those who contact them. This link contains US Listings only, but other nations can be found on the website as well.