Posted on 05/01/2007 6:50:50 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
It’s been aroumnd for quite a while. Check out Mother Earth News for articles/books. Should be something on Google. Straw bale works but they need interior framework for loadbearing walls.
COLO ping
Buena Vista is in the San Luis Valley and people have been developing economical energy alternatives there for years. They didn’t need Algore to show them anything.
It’s run by watermelons, but http://www.motherearthnews.com has a ploethera of green building information including the straw bale construction. Searching the site is pretty easy.
Though it is a hippie publication to the bone, I have to admit I have garnered quite a wealth of information that has helped me tremendously in doing things on my little 14.5 acres of Tennessee heaven.
I won’t subscribe, but I think they have every article they ever published free on the site anyway. I think they have plenty of tree hugger subscribers anyway.
It is old pioneer-days stuff here. When you don’t have wood...build with what you got. It has really taken off again in recent years when energy and building materials got so expensive.
Are you in the San Luis Valley? Like you say, not much wood in the Valley besides old Cottonwoods.
I like cordwood construction. My neighbor built a small workshop on his farm out of cordwood and has nothing but good to say about it.
I’ve reviewed all of the construction methods on that site, I agree with you about cordwood.
I have about 8 acres of hickory trees on my land, and have considered building a shop with the cordwood method.
Now I just have to get off my lazy butt and do the work, LOL.
I don’t believe Buena Vista is considered to be in the San Luis Valley. It is on the north side of Poncha Pass. Buena Vista has loads of forest around it so hay buildings aren’t necessary. Regardless, I think it is cool that they did it.
We are building a straw bale house. We’ve been working on it for a few years, now. Our children have helped us every step of the way. It’s been a great experience!
I have been interested in it for a few years. The straw bale building methods have been slowly developing for about 20 years in the south west areas. While I don't think it has hit the big time yet, it has reached borderline mainstream status in these areas.
There are some nice things about building with straw bale. You may be able to save some money, and you do get better insulation. But the main appeal is either from the environmentalist perspective, or from a creative perspective. People who build straw bale homes are interested in building a home that is a reflection of their own creativity and sense of beauty, which has a strong appeal. I am just starting to look at this as a serious option.
Here are some websites:
Took me about 20 reads and seeing the picture to figure out W-T-F this headline was saying!
Interesting.
I’ve notice over the past 10 years that journalism has taken a nose dive.
Education major rejects IMHO.
Bump
Yup, Arkansas River Valley bump.
“Pure” straw bale buildings use the bales structurally to hold up the roof. Build the exterior walls by stacking straw bales like bricks then coat it on each side with a couple inches of concrete and/or plaster to protect the straw and hold it together. The straw acts as insulation-18” of insulation- and the concrete/plaster gives it thermal mass to keep the temperature stable.
The resulting building is incredibly energy efficient. Their place in Arizona rarely needs heating and is comfortable throughout the day even in 100+ degree temperatures without using air conditioning.
I consider straw bales one of the few good ideas to come out of the eco freaks and intend to build one of my own someday. Although I would probably build a stick frame for better structural support and stack the bales around the framing. I’m an engineer and not much on eco nonsense but I do like efficiency and economy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.