Straw Bale Roof Construction

Straw bale construction is a sustainable construction technique with straw as a renewable material that is readily available.

Straw bale roof construction.

A good time to use this roof is obviously when the budget is tight or if you want a larger exposed side of the structure as in a greenhouse or in cooler climates. It is spreading fast like a wildfire to every corner of the earth. Straw bale construction is a building method that uses bales of straw commonly wheat rice rye and oats straw as structural elements building insulation or both. Straw bales have good insulation properties and keep the building warm in winter and cool in summer with r values between 40 and 60 when built correctly.

This construction method is commonly used in natural building or brown construction projects. Additionally the cost savings over time due to a straw bale home s energy efficiency will make up for the extra cost. Today insulated homes usually have r 20 in the walls and many old homes have r 14 for insulation or considerably less. In wet climates with blowing rain straw bale structures may become damp and may never dry out.

However these precautions sometimes fail. However it is possible to complete some or all of the work yourself making it cheaper. A good straw bale home is significantly warmer than conventional building methods because a well packed bale is rated at r30 r35 minimum or considerably more. The earliest mobile homes had r 8 or less.

Straw bale home construction is about 15 more costly than traditional stick frame construction. For straw bale this can pose a problem in keeping the walls free from direct moisture. Properly constructed straw bale homes include a high stem wall roof with large overhanging eaves and interior and exterior plaster coats to reduce moisture problems. Straw bale building has seen a renaissance in recent years.

It is a practical book reflecting the author s personal experience with tips and wisdom learned from his own pitfalls and. Depending on the sweat equity of the builder and the home s design and amenities straw homes can run from 20 to 75 a square foot. Building your straw bale home is a how to book for people interested in straw bale building. He has a wealth of experience in designing and building conventional tiny and straw bale homes.

About andrew morrison andrew has a passion for straw bale construction that is matched only by his desire to teach his knowledge to others.