How is a straw bale building constructed?
There are basically two types of wall systems. Originally, in turn of the century homes on the northern plains, bales were used as the structural system. Many of these buildings are in good condition today, and the method is still used for one-story buildings of moderate size. Dry, dense bales are stacked in a running bond, like big bricks, and pinned with rebar or bamboo. The roof then rests on a wood plate system at the top of the wall, which is secured to the foundation. This type of load-bearing construction is often termed “Nebraska Style”. Due to several factors, another method is often used. A simple frame of posts and beams carry the structural load of the building, while the bales act as walls and insulation. The bales are stacked in the same way as the load-bearing option, but placed either inside, outside, or in between the posts. These are termed frame and bale or in-fill buildings. They are usually easier to permit, since building officials are familiar with how a frame re
