Straw bale homes are beautiful, healthy, and amazingly energy-efficient. They are warm in winter and cool in summer. Their thick walls are sound-proof and use less toxic chemicals than standard stud framing. They can be built by hand or with a professional builder, and they are more affordable than conventional construction. They have an unusual appeal that attracts many people, especially those with a desire to live a more sustainable life.

Unlike the prized adobe and rammed earth of the Southwest, few natural structural materials are socially acceptable in modern westernized cultures. Straw bales are a unique exception—natural, non toxic, abundant, environmentally benign, and inexpensive. Read more https://www.kentuckysellnow.com/we-buy-houses-lexington/

The thick walls of straw bale houses create a sense of substance and comfort. In load-bearing structures, they also provide excellent sound insulation and are amenable to sculpting into niches and wing walls. They can also be curved, adding an organic, womblike quality to the interior. This flexibility is a key advantage of straw bale building, offering the opportunity for personal expression and creating houses that are uniquely their owners’.

One of the greatest challenges in straw bale construction is dealing with heavy rains that turn into floods. Because straw is absorbent, a straw bale house suffers horribly if flood waters permeate the walls. This challenge can be overcome by using a mix of materials, with water-resistant walls down low and straw bales above. The home shown above in Mendocino, California is one example of this technique.

Another major challenge in a straw bale house is the fire issue. The thick walls are not only resistant to fire, they also make it easier for firefighters to get inside the structure. This is important, as it takes one to two hours for a fire to burn through the walls of a straw bale house, compared to 30 minutes in most houses. The homes above are built by a company that specializes in straw bale homes and utilizes fireresistant materials in all their projects.

The couple featured here lives in a custom-built, energy efficient straw bale home, complete with an orchard. The home features a handmade spiral staircase, reclaimed wood floors, and a north porch and west balcony. The straw bale home is insulated with R50 insulation, which ensures warmth during the colder months and reduced energy consumption. Other energy-saving features include radiant in-floor heating and a solar hot water system. The company that designed and constructed the straw bale home also uses natural plastering techniques, which adds to its sustainability and beauty. The company is committed to working with clients to make sure that their straw bale home is tailored to their needs and reflects their style. You can see more of their work by visiting this link. This home is currently for sale. It has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, making it a perfect place to host family and friends.