House of Straw

Top 5 Straw Bale House Plans

While there are a number of building planners who specialise in straw bale construction these days, one of the appealing features of this type of construction is the DIY nature of straw bale construction. Even so, it’s always a good idea to have a tested building plan. Luckily there are plenty of straw bale house plans available online. In this article, we provide the top five straw bale house plans you can find on the internet today. (Note: It’s always wise to have a certified professional approve any plans before you begin your straw bale construction.)

1. Compound 480 square feet straw bale house plan

The basic idea behind the design of this floor plan is to construct numerous, small, free standing units to form a larger compound. These units should be raised one at a time as per the building code requirements. To displace 79 and 142 square feet on the inside and outside respectively, the units must measure, 7.5 by 10.5 inches and 10.5 by 13.5 inches. The necessity of a building permit for the construction of these units is dependent upon the relevant enforcement code.

This compound plan is preferred since it allows you to build a single unit at a time thereby limiting your exposure to stress, money, and time while gaining a wealth of experience necessary for progressive unit construction. With this plan, you complete one unit, re-evaluate the construction, and start the next with enhanced skills and confidence. Later on, you can roof the central patio, and even expand your home to 975 square feet. This plan should be enclosed by low walls. These measures result in a parking space and three semi-private gardens.

2. Round 612 square feet straw bale house plan

This plan is similar to the octagon plan found further down the linked page. It displaces 612 square feet on the inside and has a radius of 14 inches. However, this plan allows for a radius of between 15 and 20 inches. A tentative per-square-foot-cost is set at $30. Therefore, the complete 612 square feet version could cost an average of $18,000.

This plan allows for easy expansion through the construction of another round unit either to the west or east. Entry doors should be to the east or west, bedrooms and baths to the north, and public spaces to the south.

This plan is relatively easy to construct and affordable.

3. Green 660 square feet straw house floor plan

This floor plan yields a single bath and two bedrooms. It is based on a 4-foot bale module. It is easy to build owing to its rectangular shape. This plan can be load-bearing, and its gable or shed roof rests on the short western or eastern walls. The structure has sufficient load-bearing strength since it has a single west wall door with no east wall doors or windows. The south or north walls are an additional support source.

With an estimated $20 per-square-foot-cost, this house could cost a total of $12,000 inclusive of utility, land, and labor expenses. Logically, expansion of this design can occur to the west door; thereby opening into an office, work room, studio, or garage. An expansion to the north door will allow you a larger master bedroom with ample access to the existing bath.

4. Eye 670 square feet floor plan

This uniquely shaped floor plan is suitable for a single bath and two to three bedrooms. The concept of this plan was triggered by the fact that round houses achieve higher efficiency with the addition of west-east corners to realize the shape of the eye. This plan has four straight walls which have two square corners and two southern and northern curved walls.

This plan shape has a vital south-facing solar exposure and northern angles to the back for winter shade area elimination which is commonly achievable with long west/east rectangular footprints.

5. Courtyard 705 square feet straw bale house plan

This design evolves from the circle and eye designs. Typically, the diamond design is a break from the standard rectangle and lacks the eye’s round walls. In addition to its novelty, this plan is preferred for its reduced winter shade zone. With this plan, your bedrooms will be at each corner as opposed to the usual design in which bedrooms are grouped. You must go through public areas before accessing these bedrooms. Its bath is triangular and has adequate room for a shower although a tub cannot be fitted.

This plan is recommended if you do not mind its complexity, but you prefer its design and novelty.

Whichever straw house plan you choose, you have the assurance you’ll be living in a one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly, low-impact home that is unique to you.

Introduction to Straw Bale Houses

It may seem counter-intuitive to live in a house made of straw, but straw bale house construction has many advantages over standard building methods. Not the least of which is straw bale houses are an eco-friendly way to build and live.

What is a straw bale house?

As the name suggests, a straw bale house is built using bales of straw as the primary building material. These bales can either be load-bearing or be used in filling timber frames. Although these houses were a temporary invention among the 19th-century farmers who relied on wheat crop waste as the only construction material, straw bale houses have been tested and confirmed to be comfortable, warm, and durable. For this reason, these homes are seeing a resurgence in popularity.

If you’re still not convinced a straw bale house is for you, read on to learn the top advantages of straw house living. We’ll also outline a few disadvantages to keep in mind if you choose to build with straw.

Why should you build and live in a straw bale house?

1. Affordable

The cost of building a straw bale house is roughly the same as that of putting up a traditional timber-frame house. Find your local straw bale house constructor to calculate and compare the costs associated with building either house type.

2. Well insulated

Straw bale houses are known for their excellent insulation. The quality of insulation is dependent on several factors such as building design, type and quality of plaster used, the mesh manner between the roof insulation and the bales, and how you stack your bales. If a straw bale house is built correctly, it provides a 40 to 60 R-value. Choose thicker bales for higher R-values.

3. More fire retardant compared to conventional timber-frame houses

Wondering how straw can be fire retardant? Numerous studies have been conducted to test the flammability of straw bale houses. Fire resistance is achieved because the bales are tightly packed. Oxygen barely enters between the straws thereby limiting any chance of triggering combustion. While straw bales can burn in certain circumstances such as during construction, it is undeniable that their flame retardant nature is a desirable feature.

4. Straw bales are readily available

Straw bales come from agricultural waste products. Once the rice, barley, rye, oats, or wheat has been harvested, the stalks can be baled giving the straw a new life. The bales are renewable each year, and their harvest requires little effort. The process of harvesting and construction further presents little harm to the environment. Since they are easy and light to transport, you are likely to save on associated fuel and transportation costs.

5. Fast and Easy stacking of bales

You will be amazed how fast your house can be constructed using straw bales. Straw bale house construction easy to learn, even for novice builders. With the supervision of a single knowledgeable trainer, the building process becomes easy and fast. This feature not only makes straw bales a popular building material but also implies that you can save on the construction costs as family members and volunteer crews can help in raising the walls.

6. Straw bales make beautiful walls

Because straw bales do not need to conform to right angles, they lend themselves to unique and organic architectural designs. The added thickness of the wall will give you deep windows, bookcases, and niches and your home will feel more at one with nature.

By EwigLernender – my own digital foto, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

7. Straw bales are biodegradable

Unlike traditional building materials, straw bales are 100% biodegradable. Additionally, your straw bale house can last up to a century if you maintain it properly. Every structure undergoes eventual replacement at some point. When such a time comes, you can plough the straw bales back into the earth. Therefore, disposal is convenient as opposed to other construction materials such as fibreglass.

The disadvantages of constructing straw bale houses

Despite their benefits, straw bale houses do come with some challenges. Among the top disadvantages of either building or living in a straw bale house include:

Since straw bales are not conventional construction materials, you or the contractor needs to learn new building techniques. These are not necessarily difficult but are very different from standard practices.
If your local building codes do not include provisions for straw bale construction, there can be challenges associated with planning approval. You might need local engineers and architects who have worked with natural materials to help in gaining this approval.
You must keep your walls dry to avoid the detrimental effects of moisture on straw. Preventing moisture from your roof from entering the bales is essential.
Straw bale houses are not recommended for areas experiencing extreme rain and humidity.
Since straw bale walls require between 18 and 20 inches, most of your square footage will be taken up by the wall thickness.
If straw bales are not locally available, you may have additional shipping costs and the added challenge of making sure they aren’t damaged during transport.

These challenges aside, straw bale houses are a affordable, environmentally-friendly, and unique alternative to standard building practices. It is a home you can build for yourself that will stand the test of time without harming the environment around it.