Straw Bale House made by Single Mom for $50,000

I built my passive solar straw bale house with earthen plasters in 2000 for $50K (will most likely cost more today, depending on many factors). This is an overview of the house; it is extremely energy-efficient. My electric bills are about $35 per month.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• straw
• bale;
• strawbale;
• bale
• house;
• strawbale
• house;energy
• efficient;
• home;
• green
• house

[ExclusiveLM]

Hi Caroline. I have a few questions. First, could you put any kind of outside metal siding on this type of house. Second, what is the property tax a year on this house. Third, do you smell the bale ? Fourth, the people that helped you...did they volunteer or get paid....wondering because of your tight budget Fifth and last does that kind of house support strong winds. If so, how much wind ?? Thanks in advance and that's how you roll up your sleeves. Frank - New York City

[strawladyhouse]

@ExclusiveLM First, use stucco not siding. Second, property tax like any other house. Third, bales are completely covered-no smell. Fourth, volunteer except the builder/consultant is paid. Fifth, two foot walls covered with thick adobe or stucco - incredibly strong and quiet. Tests done for 100mph to establish our building code. 

[eottoe2001]

StawLady - You wrote to me sometime back because of my concern about the humidity and straw-bales here in Ohio. In an energy class I found out for regular construction as well as straw-bales, that isn't a big issue in Ohio if the construction is done right in that its dry and the walls are able to breath. There are handful here from Lake Erie to the Ohio River doing quite well. ;-)

[strawladyhouse]

@eottoe2001 Great - glad to hear it - thanks for getting back to me.

[strawladyhouse]

Thank you and Happy New Year to you all, too!

[strawladyhouse]

This is still the best thing I've done (other than my boys). It has been cold in Tucson - 30's at night and 50's in the day, but I open the french doors and let the sunlight blaze into the sunroom to warm the house. I close it off at night and the insulation of the straw, plus the thermal mass of the plasters hold the warmth all night. The earthen floor is still a bit of a pain to maintain, but that's the only issue I have. Thanks for all your wonderful, supportive comments - Happy New Year!

[62rome]

You are one amazing lady, i'm happy for you.

[DrewAnti1960]

awesome

[lerawconteur]

fantastic.

[kennygtexas]

Very cool.

[FoundInBetween]

Thanks for sharing this info. Too bad most Americans won't live within their means instead of enslaving themselves to huge mortgages and all that economically and politically come with them. Your video is so detailed and helpful.

[ExclusiveLM]

@strawladyhouse wow, very interesting. thanks.

[ArmchairBuilder]

Wow! You are amazing. You make some good points here. We offer free professional help for people that want to build their own home. Our goal is to help as many people as possible in 2012! Check out our channel if you get a chance. Take care, ArmchairBuilder

[GaoGeGreg]

Beware the little piggy who built her house of straw :)

Thanks for sharing ur beautiful house