| Next revision | Previous revision |
| strw:straw-bale_building [2025/12/17 04:30] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1 | strw:straw-bale_building [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 |
|---|
| # Straw-bale building | This topic is part of [[gt:buildings|Buildings & construction]]. |
| | ====== Straw-bale building ====== |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ## What is straw-bale building? | ===== What is straw-bale building? ===== |
| |
| It's a building technique that uses straw bales (or even hay bales - although it's best to use hay for animal feed) for walls – which can be load-bearing, or used to infill a timber frame. It was pioneered in the US mid-west in the 19th century by farmers whose only building material was the waste from their wheat crop. The buildings were intended to be temporary until conventional building materials were delivered. However, they found them to be solid, warm and comfortable, and many continued to live in them in preference to traditional houses. | It's a building technique that uses straw bales (or even hay bales - although it's best to use hay for animal feed) for walls – which can be load-bearing, or used to infill a timber frame. It was pioneered in the US mid-west in the 19th century by farmers whose only building material was the waste from their wheat crop. The buildings were intended to be temporary until conventional building materials were delivered. However, they found them to be solid, warm and comfortable, and many continued to live in them in preference to traditional houses. |
| |
| |
| ## What are the benefits of straw-bale building? | ===== What are the benefits of straw-bale building? ===== |
| |
| **Environmental benefits** | **Environmental benefits** |
| |
| |
| ## What can I do? | ===== What can I do? ===== |
| |
| First, learn as much as you can. Here’s our free [online course](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/straw-bale-building-course/) on all aspects of straw-bale building. The tutor is Barbara Jones of [Straw Works](https://strawworks.co.uk/). | First, learn as much as you can. Here’s our free [online course](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/straw-bale-building-course/) on all aspects of straw-bale building. The tutor is Barbara Jones of [Straw Works](https://strawworks.co.uk/). |
| |
| |
| ## Free online course | |
| |
| Here’s our free [online course](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/straw-bale-building-course/) on all aspects of straw-bale building. The tutor is Barbara Jones of [Straw Works](https://strawworks.co.uk/). | |
| |
| | ===== Forum ===== |
| |
| | This topic belongs to the section [[gt:buildings|Buildings & construction]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/buildings). |
| |
| ## Further resources | ===== Further resources ===== |
| |
| | - [Free online course](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/straw-bale-building-course/) on all aspects of straw-bale building. The tutor is Barbara Jones of [Straw Works](https://strawworks.co.uk/). |
| | - [Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine](https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/how-to-build-with-straw-bale) - how to build with straw bales |
| | - [The Last Straw Magazine](https://www.thelaststraw.org/) - natural building, including straw-bale |
| | - [Living in the Future](https://livinginthefuture.org/episodes/15-rachel-shiamh-strawbale-house.php) - the UK's first 2-storey straw-bale house |
| | - [National Building Specification](https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/guide-to-straw-bale-construction) - guide to straw-bale construction |
| | - [Straw Building UK](https://www.strawbuildinguk.org/) promoting straw-bale building |
| | - [Strawbale.com](https://www.strawbale.com/blog) - lots of interesting articles |
| |
| |
| ## Specialist curators of this topic | |
| | ===== Related topics ===== |
| | |
| | - [[lime:Lime]] |
| | - [[buil:building|Low-impact building]] |
| | - [[plan:planning|Planning permission]] |
| | - [[clay:Clay plasters]] |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | ===== Specialist curators of this topic ===== |
| |
| |