Find Answers To Your Straw Bale Construction Questions
Essential articles, how to guides, and stories from builds across the countryDive 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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Hardwood Floors In A Straw Bale House
Straw bale homes work well with hardwood floors when you plan for floor movement and clean transitions at the walls. This post outlines why wood floors appeal to some straw bale homeowners, what expansion gaps do, and three reliable ways to finish the floor-to-wall connection.
How NOT to Plaster a Straw Bale House - Avoiding Cold Joints
It is always best to limit the cold joints in your scratch coat as best you can. Here’s how you can avoid cold joints on your straw bale house walls and get the best result for your bale-protecting plaster job!
Protecting Your Straw Bale Home from Weather
Water damage is the worst enemy of bale construction and is protected against it with the utmost attention. There are several ways to deal with water issues…
Straw Bale Houses and Vapor Barriers: What to Know
House wrap can protect straw-bale walls only if it allows for permeability. In this updated guide, we explain when a vapor-open WRB makes sense, where a rain screen provides added protection, and why lime or clay plaster remains the most effective first defense.
What Type of Mesh to Use in a Straw House Build?
When building, the question of what type of mesh to use in a straw bale build is a big one. Learn more about options here.
Hanging Cabinets On Straw Bale Walls
One easy way to hang cabinets on straw bale walls is to notch into the straw bale wall… Learn all the details here.
Hay Houses Are NOT Straw Bale Houses
The difference between the two is HUGE for home construction. Hay houses would provide a food source for all sorts of pests. Learn more about why it matters...
Better Than Rebar: Straw Bale House Building
Why have we moved away from using rebar in straw bale house building? Learn that and what we’re using instead in this short read.
Fireplaces in Strawbale Houses
Can you have a fireplace in a strawbale house? Yes! Learn how to safely install and design fireplaces in strawbale walls using modern best practices.
Connecting a Straw Bale Home Addition to an Existing House
Connecting a straw bale home addition to existing structures has specialized details that depend upon the wall system type you choose to use. Learn more.
Say "No" to Straw Bale Roof Insulation
Straw bale roof insulation? The amount of time, effort, cost, and embodied energy seems to me to heavily outweigh the benefits. Here’s my thoughts.