The Straw Bale House

Author:
David Bainbridge; David Eisenberg; Bill Steen; Athena Steen
Format:
Softcover

Now:R307.95
eBucks:eB3080

United States of America

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Usually within 16 working days.
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kalahari.com

The Straw Bale House

Short description

Whether you build an entire house or something more modest-a home office or studio, a retreat cabin or guest cottage-plastered straw bale construction is an exceptionally durable and inexpensive option.

Long description

Imagine building a house with superior seismic stability, fire resistance, and thermal insulation, using an annually renewable resource, for half the cost of a comparable conventional home. Welcome to the straw bale house! Whether you build an entire house or something more modest-a home office or studio, a retreat cabin or guest cottage-plastered straw bale construction is an exceptionally durable and inexpensive option. What's more, it's fun, because the technique is easy to learn and easy to do yourself. And the resulting living spaces are unusually quiet and comfortable.

Product details

Publisher:
Chelsea Green Publishing Co
ISBN:
9780930031718
Publication date:
January 1990
Length:
252mm
Width:
204mm
Thickness:
19mm
Weight:
812g
Pages:
336
Illustrations:
20 colour and 150 b&w photographs, 45 illustrations and building plans
Readership:
General; Professional & scholarly
Illustrated:
Illustrated

Table of contents

Preface xiii

Introduction xxi

Chapter 1

  • A Brief History 3
  • The International Scene 13

    Chapter 2

  • Benefits of Straw-Bale Construction 21
  • Beauty and Comfort 21
  • Ease of Construction 22
  • Energy Efficiency 25
  • Environmental Benefits 27
  • Sustainability 28
  • Structural Testing 30
  • Seismic Resistance 34
  • Affordability 35

    Chapter 3

  • Common Concerns 41
  • Fire Safety 41
  • Humidity and Moisture 44
  • Termites and Pests, Allergies and Odors 46
  • Building Codes 47
  • Insurance and Financing 53

    Chapter 4

  • Working with Straw Bales 55
  • Baling 56
  • Moisture Content 58
  • Bale Characteristics 59
  • Bale Storage 60
  • Handling Straw Bales 60
  • Modifying Bales 61

    Chapter 5

  • Bale Walls 69
  • Load-Bearing Bale Walls and Roof Plates 70
  • Mortared Bale Walls 95
  • In-Fill Bale Walls 96
  • Hybrid Wall Systems 111
  • Retrofits 113
  • Multiple Stories 116
  • Basements 117
  • Straw-Clay Construction 118

    Chapter 6

  • Windows and Doors 121
  • In Load-Bearing Bale Walls 121
  • Bale In-Fill Walls 128
  • General Guidelines 128

    Chapter 7

  • Foundations 135
  • Foundation Details for Bale Structures 136
  • Concrete Foundations 139
  • Straw Bale Stem Walls 142
  • Rubble Trench Foundations 142
  • Pressure-Treated Wood Footings 145
  • Stone Foundations 146
  • Post or Pier Foundations 147
  • Other Possibilities 147

    Chapter 8

  • Roofs 151
  • The Hip Roof 152
  • The Pyramid Roof 154
  • The Gable Roof 154
  • The Shed Roof 155
  • The Clerestory Roof 157
  • Flat Roofs and Parapets 158
  • The Living Roof 163
  • Vaults and Domes 166
  • Thatched Roofs 169
  • Bamboo Trusses 170
  • Metal Trusses 172
  • Porches and Dormers 173
  • Roof Insulation 174

    Chapter 9

  • Floors 177
  • Concrete Floors 177
  • Straw Bale and Concrete Slabs 179
  • Earthen Floors 182
  • Brick or Tile on Sand 187
  • Stone Floors 189
  • Floor Heating 189

    Chapter 10

  • Interior Elements 191
  • Interior Walls 191
  • Electrical and Plumbing 194
  • Electromagnetic Influences 195
  • Attachment Points 196

    Chapter 11

  • Finishing Bale Walls 199
  • Plastering 200
  • Types of Plaster 205
  • Basic Plastering Techniques 215
  • Coloring the Walls 219
  • Truth Windows 226

    Chapter 12

  • Other Uses for Straw Bales 229
  • Patio Walls 229
  • Other Structures 233
  • Agricultural and Garden Uses 238

    Chapter 13

  • Designing the Straw Bale House 243
  • The Pioneer Bale-Builder's Approach 245
  • Building Guidelines 248
  • Passive Solar Fundamentals 250
  • Evaluating Bale Wall Options 260
  • Building Shapes 269
  • Roxanne Swentzell's Dream 273
  • Floor Plans 274
  • Appendix 281
  • Resources for Straw Bale Construction 282
  • Annotated Bibliography 288
  • Index 292
  • Customer reviews & ratings

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    The Straw Bale House

    The Straw Bale House

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    eBucks:eB3080
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