I have some very dry, solid dirt walls in my basement. They are pretty stable, but somewhat crumbly. I want to seal them to prevent further exfoliation, basically to keep everything where it is.

Clay/straw/adobe seems like a good option for this.

-Seems like it might be affordable? -A clay based mixture would adhere to existing dry dirt well?

If anyone has any pointers for how to get started that would be great.

Hello,

I'm looking for any kinds of window details for our straw bale build. I'm trying to be super careful about keeping water out and keeping things as breathable as possible.

Any hints very much appreciated!

Fropskottel

When I started planning my straw bale building I assumed that the bales would fit between the posts and beams of the structure as infill, but now I realize that lots of people avoid the tedious notching and fitting of bales around posts (plus increase insulating value of straw) by building the bales around the outside of the timber frame structure. Seems like a good way to do it, but now I'm wondering how do you get all these elements resting on the foundation? Build a 3 foot wide foundation wall? Does anybody have any resources, videos or websites / blogs that explain this aspect of the design? The books I have mention timber framing in passing but more focus on building structural straw bale walls. Thanks!

Anybody have any pointers for what I should check in the straw bales for building? Density? Presence of other plants? Any deal breakers I might watch out for that would render them useless for building with?

Years ago I came across a elevation plan of a strawbale house in the style of Vitruvius. It was two story with a courtyard. It was part of a set of elevations. I can't find it now. Has anyone seen something like this?

My brother and I are planning construction of a church, something very simple and relatively small (probably just one room). We'd like to use straw-bale construction, but I don't know if it would be financially viable.

Can someone give me some kind of estimate about a very simple construction, say 5,000 square feet?

Hi!

I'm looking for advice on building a cheap and sturdy foundation for a straw bale build. Some background:

- We've just torn down an old 1 1/2 floor wooden house. All that's left is a flat space 7.2*13.2m , with 1.4m deep brickwork foundations along the edge, barely above ground if at all. Same goes for the foundation underneath the central wall dividing the 7.2m into two equal halves.

- These foundations definitely aren't as wide as a bale: about 33 cm, versus a plastered bale's ~50cm. For those not yet adapted to the SI system, 33 cm is a hair more than 13 inches or a hair less than 39 English barleycorn.

- I'd like to keep the environment in mind. Ideally I'd avoid using foam or concrete to the extent possible.

- Non-durable wood, sand, gravel, pea gravel, straw and cellulose insulation are local and quite cheap here, as is some larger stone.

- Labour on site is not free, but relatively cheap.

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Any ideas? Suggestions?

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Fropskottel

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Update: The foundation is not 25cm wide, but 33cm.

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P.S.

Hi folks--

First time straw bale gardener here! Up in sunny MN I've just about finished the conditioning routine and getting ready to plant. My three bales are chock full of what I think are wheat grass shoots and sprouts, and I'm wondering what to do about that or if it's normal. I've done some googling and folks have mentioned getting some grass sprouts but it not being a big deal, but I haven't seen anybody with as much grass in their bales as I have. I could just about mow the surface and have a little lawn!

What do y'all think I should or can do about this? Thanks for any thoughts!

My wife is a nursery teacher and invited me along to set up a straw bale garden for the kids - they totally loved it and were very active in growing their own veggies throughout the school season last year. I pointed the parents to a free book on the subject here at planterspost.com you have to be a member, but its totally free to join & download the ebook.

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https://preview.redd.it/bmy2zq8byqu41.jpg?width=1023&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4d4605d8f3c4ead4bf616031251e8adb9b0fcf7b

Hello I am trying to get into Straw bale gardening. Does anyone have recommendations on how and where to find straw bales that have not been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides? Please help, thank you.

EDIT: Also, how much does this typical cost?

Anyone ever seen anything on taking an existing structure (ie a house) that is standard stick frame construction and running straw bales along the exterior and re-plastering? Basically the current exterior wall would become the interior wall and after plastering the straw bales that would become the exterior walls. The straw bale walls would be non-load bearing as the load bearing part of the structure exists already.

I have a house in Nevada that I was thinking about doing something like this on. In the summer running AC costs me about $500 to cool it. (Older ranch style house built in the 70s)

Has anyone built a greenhouse with straw? I would think that moisture would be too big a concern to do so.

We are in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains outside of Denver at 8400'. Is anyone aware of any orgs, architects, etc. in the Denver area that are familiar with straw-bale design and build?

We have a little stand at our local renaissance faire. The organizers are encouraging vendors to make permanent buildings. I have been considering strawbale construction in a simple medieval style. Anyone have any suggestions of where to look for ideas and tips? Thanks

From Sept. 29- Oct. 5 there will be a hands-on straw bale building workshop in the Mora Valley of New Mexico. Andrew Morrison, one of the foremost authorities of straw bale building in the country, will be teaching the week long workshop.  Several scholarships are available for those interested in learning straw bale building techniques at a reduced cost of $150 (to cover food for the week) vs. the normal $900 fee.  Free camping is available.  More information can be found at strawbale.com or by following this link directly to the workshop page HERE.  To take advantage of this offer, type 'Lisa' in the coupon code. Hurry. This opportunity won't last long!

Hello Everyone,

I was looking at strawbaleconstruction.com to build a small ~500 sq. ft. home. Has anyone here worked with them before?

I'd like to get a kit so I know all the lumber is cut correctly and construction will go smoother and faster. Do you folks know of any other strawbale kits out there?

Thanks!

I'm especially interested in designs for insulated gable roofs without ceilings, particularly if they're in a post-and-beam or timber frame structure, but would love to hear about / see diagrams for any insulated pitched roof design!

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1. Has anyone had experience getting a building loan using the VA?
2. Are there any BnBs in Northern California or Southern Oregon? Or even anyone willing to come let us walk around and get a feel for the building?
3. We'll be moving to the Vancouver, WA area after I'm done with nursing school, any SB friendly contractors in that area you folks would recommend?
4. Do I need to pay hundreds of dollars for the privilege of helping someone else build their house? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great scheme to help finance your house building. But I'd really just like to pop out for a weekend and see if I've got what it takes, especially during the foundation/roofing/framing.

Hello everyone, I'm planning on building a strawbale house in the future, the biggest issue with building it seems to me to be coating the outside and inside of the strawbale wall. Does anybody know if drywall could be a viable alternative?

Hello everyone, I couldn't find a Discord server devoted to building with alternative materials so I made one. If it interests you please join or share!

https://discord.gg/SHqDqNe

I live in interior BC Canada, going to be building on the side of a mountain. It’s a no-zone so there isn’t really any local information available as nobody really lives here. The frost-line in town (near the base of the mountain) is said to be 4 foot. Somebody who lives on the mountain insists on making his foundation 6 feet deep. This seems insane to me, and while I’m committed to building something, I don’t want to / can’t afford to make a 6 foot or even 4 foot foundation. Was hoping to make a rubble trench for a strawbale infill. 18” seems like a happier time. The ground is clay and sand under the topspoil

Many people stress the importance of a good foundation, for great reason, but it seems like everybody needs their structure to last 400+ years. I need a structure that will last 10-15 years.. as long as it’s safe to live in. The home is 30x25 rectangle

I know this is a super unpopular opinion but bear with me.

If I do a shallow foundation I understand my structure will be prone to frost heaving.. although I have also read that gravel cannot heave. (A) how much does heaving affect a building in the real world? How many years of frost heaving until it’s in-livable? What are some early side effects of building such a shallow foundation?

Of course another factor is water dispersion. (B) If my French drain is not below frost line, will water freeze in it? Will this lead to flooding? Or is the heat radiating from my floor raising the frost line enough? It will have large south facing windows heating my earthen floor.

Do straw house have more give than conventional houses? Does frost heaving affect them less? What about earthbags, which famously have give and sway?

I’m very open to alternatives and experimental foundation styles. I’m not afraid to try something radical.

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Onion Dome Interior

SunRay Kelley Temple Onion Dome Strawbale.