How to Build a Straw Bale House in Idaho
Straw bale building is an eco-friendly and energy-efficient construction method. This is becoming a popular home building method. The best environment for a straw bale construction is a dry climate. However, this type of home can be built in Idaho if you take steps to protect the straw bale construction from water and snow damage. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Visit the Idaho building codes office to ask about straw bale building regulations. Meet these regulations and obtain your permits before you begin building.
-
2
Research straw bale construction methods. Consider using the straw bales on top of a concrete foundation to protect the bales from getting wet.
-
-
3
Look at other straw bale houses in Idaho and contact the owners. Ask about the method they used. Most eco-friendly builders are happy to share their ideas and construction methods.
-
4
Decide on the building method you want to use. One such method includes layering the straw bales on top of each other on a concrete foundation. Stick vertical rebar or long, strong bamboo sticks through the bales and attach these at 3- to 5-foot intervals to the foundation with concrete for added strength and adding the roof framing at the appropriate height. Another method uses the basic wood framing method with the bales inserted in the wood frames as insulation.
-
5
Make the house plan for your straw bale home, and use a simple design with a very small constructed area first. This will give you room to make mistakes before you start another area of your straw bale home.
-
6
Work on a solid drainage system, which will prevent rainwater, pipe or water-current damage close to the house. Observe your lot in the rainy season to understand how the rainwater flows through it. This will help you prepare the space for the house. Dig a discharge channel. Humidity and water are very damaging to straw bale homes, so be sure to install adequate gutters and French drains to prevent water from entering the walls.
-
7
Purchase straw bale home plan kits to work from. Find these types of plans on websites like Bale Watch or Solar Haven. Follow the plan instructions when building the home. Take a straw bale construction workshop from one of these businesses to learn the construction method. Build your home with the knowledge you have acquired and by following the instructional material.
-
8
Find a builder for your straw bale house if you don't feel comfortable building the home yourself. This is not a project you should complete entirely by yourself if you don't have any construction experience. Look for local eco-friendly specialized builders in your area or locate a builder through a website like Great Green List or Green Communities. If you can't find a builder in Idaho, contact one out of state and ask for a referral or for an out-of-state building quote. Select your builder and expect him to build your straw bale home in the agreed-upon time frame.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bales of straw on the field - summer countryside - early evening image by Jaroslav Machacek from Fotolia.com
