How do straw bale compare in cost to conventional homes?
Straw bale homes cost the same or a little higher based on the interior plaster cost. Its interesting for the last twenty years high-end interior designers have been bringing back plaster wall finishes into conventional stick framed home walls to add depth and texture. Owners who choose to live in a straw bale home feel that reduced energy cost, higher comfort level and the long term benefits of living in a healthy environment is the reward of living in a straw home. Insulation values are three to five times more in a straw bale home in comparison to standard conventional. If you increase the efficiency in a conventional home to that of a straw bale home the cost are equal to or higher than the straw home. Resale value has been higher in the Four Corners area (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona) matching straw bale homes to custom adobe and log homes for real estate comparables.
