Straw-bale construction
Building method that uses bales of straw / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Straw-bale construction is a building method that uses bales of straw (usually wheat[2] straw) as structural elements, building insulation, or both. This construction method is commonly used in natural building or "brown" construction projects. Research has shown that straw-bale construction is a sustainable method for building, from the standpoint of both materials and energy needed for heating and cooling.[3]
Advantages of straw-bale construction over conventional building systems include the renewable nature of straw, cost, easy availability, naturally fire-retardant and high insulation value.[4][5][6] Disadvantages include susceptibility to rot, difficulty of obtaining insurance coverage, and high space requirements for the straw itself.[7] Research has been done using moisture probes placed within the straw wall in which 7 of 8 locations had moisture contents of less than 20%. This is a moisture level that does not aid in the breakdown of the straw.[8] However, proper construction of the straw-bale wall is important in keeping moisture levels down, just as in the construction of any type of building.