Find Answers To Your Straw Bale Construction Questions

Essential articles, how to guides, and stories from builds across the country

Dive 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.

A straw bale truth window on a yellow wall with a sunburst-like design around it, partially showing a green plant in the foreground.

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Andrew Morrison 1/26/21 Andrew Morrison 1/26/21

Amazing Couple Builds the Applegate Cottage on Whidbey Island

They were determined to build the house themselves, even though they didn't have much experience in residential construction. Their success is a testament to people around the world who build their own straw bale homes.

Andrew Morrison 6/19/20 Andrew Morrison 6/19/20

BIPOC Straw Bale Workshop Scholarships

We offer a limited number scholarships per straw bale workshop season to the BIPOC community. Learn more here.

Andrew Morrison 11/7/19 Andrew Morrison 11/7/19

The Ultimate Hole Saw for Drilling Through Straw Bale Walls

Check out this ingenious hole saw makes drilling holes through existing straw bale walls easy and effective, even in three string straw bale walls.

Andrew Morrison 4/26/19 Andrew Morrison 4/26/19

Bale Stops Strengthen and Simplify Your Build

Bale stops are a simple framing solution in a straw bale house. They both strengthen the walls and simplify the construction process. Learn more...

Andrew Morrison 3/16/19 Andrew Morrison 3/16/19

How a Straw Bale House Can Change the World

A straw bale house has the power to change the world, one occupant and one home at a time. Learn more.

Andrew Morrison 1/25/19 Andrew Morrison 1/25/19

Fire Resistance of Straw Bale Walls Outperforms Conventional Construction

The fire resistance of straw bale walls is superior to that of conventional construction. Learn why that matters and how it's possible.

Andrew Morrison 12/30/18 Andrew Morrison 12/30/18

Avoiding Plaster Burn Marks

Avoiding plaster burn marks when building a straw bale house is easy to accomplish if you know what causes them. Here’s what to do about them.

Andrew Morrison 11/10/18 Andrew Morrison 11/10/18

Hanging Pictures on a Strawbale Plaster Wall

Andrew Morrison 9/30/18 Andrew Morrison 9/30/18

Oregon Straw Bale Retreat Visit at Dharmalaya

Visit a straw bale retreat center nestled in Oregon to feel a bale build for yourself and retreat from the busy world just like Andrew and Gabriella Morrison.

Andrew Morrison 9/28/18 Andrew Morrison 9/28/18

Adding Shingles to Gable Walls on Straw Houses

Adding shingles to gable walls may not seem like a straw bale specific topic at first glance. That doesn’t mean it’s not an important skill for you to learn for several reasons. Lot of straw bale houses use shingles on the gable end walls.

Andrew Morrison 10/20/17 Andrew Morrison 10/20/17

Gravel in your toe ups. Is that enough?

Is it enough to have just gravel in your toe ups or do you need something more? Read more

Andrew Morrison 4/14/17 Andrew Morrison 4/14/17

Hiring the Right Contractor for Your Straw Bale Construction Project

Hiring the right contractor for your straw bale construction project could be the most important decision you make along the path to creating your new home. Here’s tips on how to find a great match.