Using straw bale construction is an excellent way to build a green home. Benefits for this type of green construction offer a higher fire resistance and load bearing capacity than that of standard construction methods.

In choosing to construct with straw bale, people are minimizing wood building consumption while creating a healthier environment for those working to build the home and for those who will be living in the home.

Straw bale is comprised of a surplus waste of wheat, oats, barley, rye and rice straw stems that are formed into bales. The material used to create the straw would otherwise be thrown away for fermentation or burnt.

One concern that many people have when it comes to using a “throw away” type organic material is how long will their straw bales last. In using straw bales for green construction, the bales are packed in various methods using clay, lime or mixed Earth based plasters. When the bales are packed they are no longer exposed to air or water and it is in the non-exposure to those elements that stops the organic break down of the straw. An interesting point to note is that straw bale homes constructed in the 1800’s across Europe and North America are still standing.

Increased green home construction safety is another valuable reason that building with straw bale can be a good choice. A straw bale constructed home has been proven to hold up to 82 tons of earthquake force through a study at the University of Nevada. The fibers of the straw are able to with stand an incredible amount of force, while the outer plaster can crack the structural component of the home remains intact. You can read more about the study and its findings through this article: Straw Bale House Survives Violent Shaking at Earthquake Lab.

In regards to environmentally friendly home construction, straw bale as many advantages over standard home building practices. Here are some examples in which building with straw bale is an integral part of the green movement:

• Straw bale is three times more energy efficient than standard home building materials
• Termite damage is not an issue, so there is no need for extra chemicals to be sprayed every few months
• No toxic chemicals are used in straw bale construction, so there is no chemical run off
• Straw bale is insulation in itself, so there is no need to add toxic insulation’s sprays or fiberglass rolls
• Building with straw bale is re-purposing materials that would otherwise be waste

Every year in the United States over 200 million tons of waste straw is burnt. Burning such a high amount of organic materials causes an influx of carbon to be added to the atmosphere. We have the ability to stop this type of waste on such a massive scale by green building our homes using straw bale.

Currently, there are four states that have taken straw bale green construction and incorporated the method as a popular form of housing. Arizona, California, Colorado and Oregon all have standard straw ball contractors. With increased knowledge and more people turning to straw bale construction for the betterment of themselves and the world we live in, let’s hope that more states advocate this type of green home building.

For more information on straw bale construction, visit these great sites:
Straw Bale
Straw Bale Construction
Straw Built Homes
California Straw Building Association
Straw Bale Building Registry *check out homes all over the world

*image courtesy of Straw Built Homes, www.strawbuilthomes.com

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