By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Step1
Design your home. The easiest way to do this is to find an existing design and tweak it to fit your desires. You can do this yourself or hire an architect who is familiar with straw bale construction. It is important to know your state's building codes and get the design approved before you start to build. Also, note the difference between a design and a construction plan.
Step2
Choose the foundation style and roofing. You can incorporate heating into your foundation. The main concern here is the type of soil you will build on and the frost patterns in your region. The foundation must be able to support your roofing, which plays and important structural role in the design of your home. You must consider not only the appearance of the house when choosing a roof style, but also ducting for rainwater, wind deflection and its ability to create shade. Also factor in passive solar requirements when you design the roof.
Step3
Consider the mechanical systems. Heating, cooling, plumbing and electric must all be taken into account, even when building with straw. The natural insulating effects of the straw bale walls will not eliminate the need for some type of heat, though it may reduce the cost.
Step4
Know straw. Talk to your local farmers. They will link you to the people who have the straw bales in the right amount, shape, cut, tightness and cleanliness for your home. You want to look for long, unbroken straw in dry, tight, evenly strung bales. You also want bales that have fewer grain heads in them and straw that has been either lightly treated or not chemically treated at all.
Step5
Decide whether or not you will plaster the floor and how you will plaster the seams of the house. This will determine how you construct the frame of the house. Research the different plastering methods before you draw up plans.
Step6
Plan a budget. Construction of any kind requires materials and labor that costs money. Having a budget for all of the materials and to pay any hired help can also aid in organizing the entire process.
Step7
Make it your own. With straw bale building, since you, family and friends will most likely be doing the work, the process can be as fun and unique as the home you will build. Having a design, construction plan and budget will get you started building the home of your dreams.
