Coveted Crib: A Strawbale Home

April 30, 2008

Strawbale is a natural building method that uses bales of straw to create a thermal mass, which provides an incredible insulating effect in a home. The straw is often placed between a post and beam wooden frame, and then covered with stucco or a natural earthen plaster. Not only are these homes extremely eco and energy efficient, they're also surprisingly graceful in form. To see what I mean, check out the slideshow. Source

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by POPSUGAR Home 14

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by POPSUGAR Home 14

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14 Comments

Kimpossible 5 years 2 weeks

I love this home it's gorgeous! Love the earthy, organic feel... love love love it!

duck duck goose 5 years 2 weeks

Casa's heapin' on the education without missin' a beat -- thanks! :)

AujahAcorn 5 years 2 weeks

Thanks for the info CasaSug!

AujahAcorn 5 years 2 weeks

Thanks for the info CasaSug!

POPSUGAR Home 5 years 2 weeks

AujahAcorn, adobe totally rocks! Mold is only a problem in strawbale homes if builders aren't reputable, and if the wall isn't allowed to breathe--that's why vapor barriers are never recommended for strawbale! Vermin are also not an issue as long as maintenance is taken into consideration.Strawbale is great for certain climates, and not so great for others. That's why adobe works well in some parts of the world, cob building works better for other areas, etc. Bioregional building is really the answer--working with a building material that makes sense for your particular region and climate.For instance, friends that built a strawbale house didn't have to truck in straw because they lived in the middle of farm country and were able to use straw from surrounding farms!

POPSUGAR Home 5 years 2 weeks

AujahAcorn, adobe totally rocks! Mold is only a problem in strawbale homes if builders aren't reputable, and if the wall isn't allowed to breathe--that's why vapor barriers are never recommended for strawbale! Vermin are also not an issue as long as maintenance is taken into consideration. Strawbale is great for certain climates, and not so great for others. That's why adobe works well in some parts of the world, cob building works better for other areas, etc. Bioregional building is really the answer--working with a building material that makes sense for your particular region and climate. For instance, friends that built a strawbale house didn't have to truck in straw because they lived in the middle of farm country and were able to use straw from surrounding farms!

AujahAcorn 5 years 2 weeks

welcome duckduck!! I am a big Adobe pusher!! But I would like to add that if some one was contemplating either building a standard home or an strawbale home... go strawbale!! Anything is better than a energy sucking building!!

AujahAcorn 5 years 2 weeks

welcome duckduck!! I am a big Adobe pusher!!But I would like to add that if some one was contemplating either building a standard home or an strawbale home... go strawbale!! Anything is better than a energy sucking building!!

duck duck goose 5 years 2 weeks

"Mold is a huge problem with the strawbale as well as rats &/or mice building homes in your walls. Once you get mold in the walls there is no going back!"Yikes!Well, it's pretty in photos, but definitely not a choice for me. (I immediately wondered about mice -- and mold is even worse, imo. Thanks for the info Aujah.)

duck duck goose 5 years 2 weeks

"Mold is a huge problem with the strawbale as well as rats &/or mice building homes in your walls. Once you get mold in the walls there is no going back!" Yikes! Well, it's pretty in photos, but definitely not a choice for me. (I immediately wondered about mice -- and mold is even worse, imo. Thanks for the info Aujah.)

duck duck goose 5 years 2 weeks

This is a stunning home. Very soothing design. (I love the colors; not so much the elaborate swishy adornments above the curved entry and on other walls -- not a fan of permanent ornamentation in that manner.)I wonder about the longevity of strawbale. (Plus cost and suitability in different regions -- and availability.)But, gosh darn, she sure is a pretty home. Very satisfying for the eco-minded homebuilder.

duck duck goose 5 years 2 weeks

This is a stunning home. Very soothing design. (I love the colors; not so much the elaborate swishy adornments above the curved entry and on other walls -- not a fan of permanent ornamentation in that manner.) I wonder about the longevity of strawbale. (Plus cost and suitability in different regions -- and availability.) But, gosh darn, she sure is a pretty home. Very satisfying for the eco-minded homebuilder.

AujahAcorn 5 years 2 weeks

Yes, strawbale homes are eco BUT what is even better is adobe homes. Adobe to me is extremely eco.I have taken classes on building adobe homes and a lot of the people teaching the classes or taking the classes have looked into or have built strawbale homes including myself. Strawbale does not do as well as adobe. Mold is a huge problem with the strawbale as well as rats &/or mice building homes in your walls. Once you get mold in the walls there is no going back!Also, it takes trucks to deliver the the material, in turn putting pollution in the air. Adobe is straight from the earth and nothing needs to get shipped to you. It is a really strong structure and stays the same temp in the home year around. no need for heating or air conditioning.GO Adobe!!!!!!

AujahAcorn 5 years 2 weeks

Yes, strawbale homes are eco BUT what is even better is adobe homes. Adobe to me is extremely eco. I have taken classes on building adobe homes and a lot of the people teaching the classes or taking the classes have looked into or have built strawbale homes including myself. Strawbale does not do as well as adobe. Mold is a huge problem with the strawbale as well as rats &/or mice building homes in your walls. Once you get mold in the walls there is no going back! Also, it takes trucks to deliver the the material, in turn putting pollution in the air. Adobe is straight from the earth and nothing needs to get shipped to you. It is a really strong structure and stays the same temp in the home year around. no need for heating or air conditioning. GO Adobe!!!!!!