Straw bale house uk. This Scottish Highland home was built using 500 bales of straw 2022-10-17
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A straw bale house is a type of building that uses bales of straw as a primary construction material. Straw bale houses are becoming increasingly popular in the UK as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional brick and mortar homes.
One of the main benefits of straw bale construction is its environmental impact. Straw is a renewable resource that is readily available and requires minimal processing to be used as a building material. In comparison, the production of traditional building materials such as concrete and brick requires significant amounts of energy and resources, and generates a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, straw bale houses are also highly energy efficient. The thick walls of a straw bale house provide excellent insulation, which helps to keep the interior of the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This means that straw bale houses require less energy to heat and cool, making them a cost-effective choice for homeowners.
Despite their many benefits, straw bale houses do have some challenges. One of the main concerns is the risk of fire, as straw is a combustible material. However, straw bale houses can be made fire-resistant through the use of fire retardant treatments and by incorporating other fire-resistant materials into the construction.
Another challenge is the lack of experience among builders and contractors in working with straw bale construction. While straw bale building techniques are relatively simple, they do require some specialized knowledge and experience to be done correctly. As such, it is important for homeowners to carefully research and choose a contractor who has experience with straw bale construction.
Despite these challenges, straw bale houses offer a number of benefits and are a viable option for those looking to build a sustainable and energy-efficient home in the UK. With careful planning and the right team of professionals, a straw bale house can be a durable and comfortable home that is kind to the environment.
Pros and Cons of Straw Bale Houses
We have always been passionate about the environment and knew the holiday home had to be eco-friendly and energy efficient. Approached via a track along the side of the hill, the cob fronted Straw Bale Lodge is discreet and yet accessible offering a romantic retreat for all seasons. Wigglesworth was appointed to Sheffield at the same time she was a professor of architecture there until 2016 but took a sabbatical to concentrate on the project. What can we say? However, during the two-year Stock Orchard Street build, the practice almost folded, so all-consuming was the work. The first time I heard about a so-called Straw Bale house was at a lecture in The Bartlett 1995 by Jeremy Till + Sarah Wigglesworth Architects. The render acts as an additional structural layer, which stiffens the wall and prevents decay, while also acting as additional fire resistance. Straw bale construction uses the renewable material of straw, in bale form to act as an infill material to timber frame structures or as a load bearing structure to buildings of no more than two storeys.
Anyway, here is a new straw bale house. The bales are raised from ground level by a brick plinth, to avoid contact with moisture. Structural Movement Since straw bale homes are built using a stacking technique, they can be susceptible to structural movement. Adrian Welch, e-architect Editor. When the bales are compressed, it also makes it easier to carry out the next stage.
Affordable When you build with straw bales, the cost is comparable to a stick built home. The tight packing reduces airflow, something that is critical to sustain a fire. They bought the property, then an old vicarage with one acre of land, 15-years-ago and have transformed it into a dream Highland retreat. Moisture can lead the bales to decay, mold, and even collapse, creating a potentially dangerous situation. However, in the UK it is necessary to apply the building regulations in the usual way. Cost-Efficient If you want to build an efficient home, straw bales are a great choice. At the foot of the five-storey tower.
This Scottish Highland home was built using 500 bales of straw
Further massive cost savings can be achieved by self-building either as an individual or collectively — indeed using self-build to self-build a community. With a bit of plowing, the straw can be added to soil and will decompose quickly without harming the environment. It is preferable not to cut the bales, so openings and dimensions should be sized according to the bales to reduce cutting where possible. Render must be vapour permeable, with the head of the wall being protected by roof overhang to prevent over saturating the wall. On one facade, the steel has been replaced by sheets of clear polycarbonate, revealing a glimpse of the insulative straw bales, which, 20 years on, are as golden as the day they were first laid. Once the coals are glowing you can use the bbq grill and tools located in the kitchen basket , to make your food. Pest Concerns With straw bale homes, pests can be an issue.
Advantages of Straw Bale Houses Straw bale houses do have some advantages. The couple bought the plot at auction in the mid-90s. If however, your new dates are lower in price, we will be happy to refund you the difference. The high insulation factor means it costs less to heat or cool a house made of straw than certain alternatives. Securing an able-bodied work crew can be expensive too. Eco-friendly Straw bale houses are incredibly eco-friendly.
Unlike the polycarbonate sheets, which are cracked and taped together in parts. The straw bale construction method is popular with self builders and the environmentally conscious. Covered inside and out with lime it also makes the house breathable, allowing moisture in the air to move from the inside of the house to the outside. Although the use of straw is widespread in roof construction in the form of thatching, straw bales as a modern construction method are gaining in popularity. With reclaimed wood and a touch of the East, The Straw Bale Lodge offers a calming space, which, together with the convenience and comfort of modern day living, make for an ideal romantic escape.
The couple had sold their home and, for nine months, Wigglesworth lived on-site in a caravan. Space Considerations The thickness of a straw bale wall means you are sacrificing some interior space. Robert and Justine also encourage guests to properly recycle and use public transport whenever they can. It is important the straw bales are not exposed to excessive moisture during construction. Compression of the straw bales, to improve the structural integrity is achieved with ratchet straps which are then removed before the roof goes on.
As a result, the house exports five times more power than it imports. Your home should be treated as if it were a part of your body — which in a w. Plus, getting the bales dried out again may be impossible in a naturally humid region. Set light to the firelighters and replace the grate; wait for the coals to heat up. Openings are also susceptible to water damage and must be carefully considered. .
Should a national lockdown be introduced and you were prohibited from travel, we will allow you to rebook your holiday with us at any future date subject to availability. The reveal is dramatic — like a sheet falling off a sculpture. The wall is often spiked or pinned as it is constructed to maintain the stiffness of the structure. Here is a closer look at the advantages of straw bale homes. .
