Short description
One of the primary concerns of owner-builders is their capacity to deal with the structural issues associated with building a straw bale house. This guide for the owner-builder provides the reader with instructions supported by diagrams and photographs. It also provides advice on doing plumbing and electrical work in a straw bale house.
Long description
One of the primary concerns of owner-builders is their capacity to deal with the structural issues associated with building a straw bale house. This practical guide is written especially for the owner-builder and provides the reader with step-by-step practical instructions supported by diagrams and photographs. Building Your Straw Bale Home begins with the issues that concern local councils and shows how to satisfy their requirements. The author then leads the reader through the construction process in a logical manner dealing with site preparation, foundations, concrete slabs, strip footings and stumps in the early chapters. The book's main strength is that it integrates the special techniques for straw bale construction with conventional house building techniques used in the structure, including floors, timber wall frames, ceilings and roof framing. It also provides advice on doing plumbing and electrical work in a straw bale house. It has a glossary of terms used in the building industry, especially useful when discussing construction problems with tradespeople or when ordering material. It discusses the many pitfalls of building and shows what to look for when ordering second-hand material. The book concludes with various safety issues that arise during the construction including fire prevention, equipment usage and the working environment. This is a book written with the first-hand knowledge of the challenges and fears of the owner-builder.