Beware of the Wolf

Straw Homes: Not Just for a Little Pig(January 23, 2006) --

Straw-bale construction is gaining popularity around the country due to rising energy and building-materials costs, with as many as 600 straw homes being built in California.

Straw bales are recyclable and organic, so supporters tout such homes as being eco-friendly. They also have insulation ratings that are three times higher than conventional walls with fiberglass batting, and they are fire-resistant.

Though straw-bale walls could cost upwards of 15 percent more than traditional walls, homeowners benefit from lower heating prices in the long run. Straw homes can be built quickly by a professional, with the price varying based on the size of the home and the complexity of the design. However, do-it-yourselfers should plan to spend a few months to a year on the project; and they should be prepared to lift bales that weigh upwards of 85 pounds apiece.

Straw walls typically are covered with "earth plaster" to create a stucco look, but any breathable substance is suitable. Straw homes are mainly popping up in rural and semi-rural areas, as city codes make it difficult to build such structures in urban and suburban locales.

Source: Washington Post (01/21/06); Harder, Nick