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Despite its introduction around 100 years ago, straw bale construction
remains somewhat unconventional. However, combined with modern techniques,
straw bale buildings feature well-insulated walls, simple construction,
and low costs. Straw is also a renewable resource.
Most straw bale houses being built today employ some kind of post-and-beam
structure to support the weight of the roof, with the straw bales
serving as infill. Straw bales come in all shapes and sizes. The
medium-sized rectangular three-string bales are preferred for building
construction. Three-string bales are better structurally, have higher
R-value, and are often more compact. A typical medium-sized, three-wire
bale may be 23" X 16" X 42" and may weigh from 75 to 85 pounds.
The smaller two-wire bales, which are easier to handle, are roughly
18" X 14" X 36" and weigh 50 to 60 pounds. Also, some manufacturers
have developed Structural
Insulated Panels from multiple-layered, compressed-straw panels.
For more information, see House
of Straw—Straw Bale Construction Comes of Age and the Sustainable
Straw Bale Demonstration Home.
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