Strawbale/Cob building!

[threepigs]

Some time back I started looking into various ways to erect buildings that are cost effective and not in so many ways destructive to the environment. The search brought me to Strawbale building and many were the examples online, it was not until a friend contacted me to inform that her brother-in-law is building not only Strawbale but Cob and Rammed Earth homes too.

I made contact with Alastair and he invited me to join them for a lecture on Natural plastering and manufacturing of Natural Paint. The visit was one of realisation and I now find myself a convert to these building methods.

Not only are these buildings more suited to protect the environment, cost effective they offer more comfort to those who live in them they also take very little energy to warm/cool.

There is one Question that needs answering. How can I get the banks to recognise these methods of building and finance me?

[Loco_001]

Tell them you are a non smoker
But seriously(not realy) but worth thinking about. Could you build houses of straw in KZN? We have giant cockroaches and their little pet fleas in the millions here. Imagine THEM inundating your strawbale house.
Then there is the humidity here, wouldn't the straw go mouldy and rot?
How would you do the the electrical and plumbing without avoiding a disaster?. Sorry, I dont see any banks financing you. It sounds like 1 of those great American ideas.

[threepigs]

Well I’m happy that you took the time to reply and appreciate all the concerns. I suggest that you read up a little more about straw bale building seeing that you are an avid reader.

Without elaborating, a straw bale does not burn inside because of its density, much like that of a telephone book. Furthermore the construction is set on a grid to avoid moisture absorption and is later plastered to protect and add to aesthetics.

[Seahorse12]

if you saw what the price is of a bundle of straw these days, you'd soon scrap the idea and build in bricks

[Dinosaur Dave]

[threepigs]

Thank you Dinosaur Dave, a friend of mine had his house on Hybrid Living tonight. More and more people who are careful in the way they live and build are moving to a way of life that will ensure our children see more experience more and live more.

[EleniH]

Hi Guys,

We are also going to be starting our straw bale building soon. Can't say exactly when, but fortunately we do not need finance from the banks to build.

threepigs, what I think we need in South Africa is for more and more straw bale houses to be built in residential areas, and for those property prices to appreciate significantly better than the traditional brick houses, so that the banks can wake up and see that the building method is both viable and efficient.

The municipalities are already approving straw bale plans, which is the first step.

[eco123buddy]

another method is Sandbag technology see www.ecozone.co.za build not only ecohomes but with solar,underfloorheating, standby power and solar electric panels. great concept.

[Loco_001]

I checked out ecozone, but couldn't find anything on sandbag technology.
Will have to google it. Or do you have any more info on this.

3pigs Do you know of a site I can visit for strawbale houses.

[eco123buddy]

click on ecohomes on the web www.ecozone.co.za

[Loco_001]

Do they have an outlet in KZN so I can visit them

[Seahorse12]

Loco58 as far as I know the medievil Scott's( aren't you related to them?) built houses out of straw and mud, Google them!!!!!

[Loco_001]

Ya,I am a South African Scot, thats why this interests me. I checked it out, the houses are realy beautiful. Only problem I can see is that you would need a large property to build one.
Would be ideal if you had a vacant property to start with.Somewhere to retire to one day.

[Seahorse12]

Straw houses are ideal for non smokers

[John Rawson]

Straw house...interesting...

You wake up in the middle of the night and your horse is making a meal out of the ceiling...

The banks wont finance, nor will the insurance companies...high risk

Thatched roof properties as it is are expensive to insure but the walls are brick and mortar..solid..lower risk...

Interesting though....