Straw Bale Construction - PDF eBook

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Learn all about straw bale building

Some people just love the aesthetics of a straw bale building.  Others are attracted to the idea of being able to be more self sufficient and economical, or having the satisfaction of making something themselves. Straw bale buildings can be small or large. Straw bale builders often start with something small like a garden tool shed, garden wall or small stand alone studio. Straw bale buildings can be relatively inexpensive to construct, and just about anyone can have a go, experiment, and create something different and useful at home; all the while, learning and improving their building skills through experience.

Read this book. Understand how to avoid mistakes. Experiment, improve and build your first straw bale construction.

Table of Contents

Credits

CHAPTER 1 SCOPE, NATURE, AND APPLICATIONS 
The basics 
Why straw bale? 
Sustainability 
Ease of use 
Durability 
Cost 
Non-toxic 
Insulation 
Fire and pest resistance 
Aesthetics 
Community involvement 
Seismic resistance
Applications for straw bales

CHAPTER 2 PROBLEMS AND CONCERNS
Potential problems
Structural movement
Permits
Maintenance
Fire risk 
Rising damp 
Rain 
Humidity and moisture 
Pests 
Odour and allergies 
Gaps 

CHAPTER 3 WORKING WITH BALES 
Types of bales 
Types of straw 
Shape and dimensions 
Size 
Working with straw bales 
Moisture content 
Laying bales 
Different systems of using straw for construction 
Fixing bales in place 
Loadbearing walls 
Roof plates 
Roof plate tiedowns 
Pinning the bales 
Settling and precompression 
Infill bale wall 
Retrofits 
Mortared bale walls 

CHAPTER 4 FOUNDATIONS AND FLOORS 
Foundations 
Stone foundations 
Pier foundations 
Other options 
Floors 

CHAPTER 5 WINDOWS, DOORS, ROOFS 
Framing and roofing 
Roofs 
The pyramid roof 
The gable roof 
The shed roof 
The flat roof 
The living roof 
Windows and doors 
In loadbearing bale walls 
Lintels 
Bale infill walls 
Fixings 
Frames 

CHAPTER 6 FINISHING 
Finishing options
Coatings, sealers and sealants
Plastering straw walls
Netting
Finishes
What type of plaster?
Cement stucco
Lime plasters
Gypsum plasters
Earth plasters
Latex/vinyl paints
Final effects
Colours
Sealants
Plaster additives
Rub down
Other effects
Lime or ammonium casein paints
Calcimine distemper paints
Simple oil paints
Coloured washes
Other products
Maintenance
Further reading and study
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