straw bale home

[ItsHot]

smurf it!

smurf it!

Apparently everone hasn't read about the three little pigs and how they built their houses. Sheesh!!:grin:

That is what I was thinking also! I would surface mount ent! Smurf it! Hey anyone got any "three little pig" pictures? Oh, I forgot you can't post photos anymore!

 

[brian john]

probably something that has to do with being green now a days

I am pretty much a city boy, but even I know straw is brown.

For my money I'd use EMT, agreeing with the Chicago boys on this install.

Ahhhh Thank you Mrs Leary.

 

[lbwireman]

FYI. :smile:
All due respect to the "Chicago boys" (and Mrs. O'Leary's cow) as well as- 3 little pigs: fable Studies linked below: fact.

http://www.ecobuildnetwork.org/pdfs/Load-Bearing_SB_Const.pdf

http://www.dcat.net/resources/ASTM_E119.pdf
"The results of these tests have proven that a straw bale infill wall assembly is a far greater fire resistive assembly than a wood frame wall assembly using the same finishes."

No offence intended to anyone but I'm reminded of the old saw "It's better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.":grin:

 

[lbwireman]

For the OP:
It is common to simply use Romex as one would do in a normal wood frame construction. Due to the compact nature of straw bales, there is less of a risk of fire than in traditional building with the air gaps (assuming there is plaster sealing inside and outside of walls). per Austin, Texas, U.S.A Code: 3605.7.10 Electrical. All wiring within or on bale walls must meet all provisions of the National Electrical Code adopted by this jurisdiction. Type NM or UF cable may be used, or wiring may be run in metallic or non-metallic conduit systems. Electrical boxes must be securely attached to wooden stakes driven a minimum of 12 inches into the bales, or an acceptable equivalent".

Also, look here:

http://www.ecobuildnetwork.org/pdfs/Load-Bearing_SB_Const.pdf

and here:

http://www.dcat.net/resources/ASTM_E119.pdf
"The results of these tests have proven that a straw bale infill wall assembly is a far greater fire resistive assembly than a wood frame wall assembly using the same finishes."

 

[mdshunk]

Having been witness to many a barn fire, full of hay and straw, and seeing how hard they are to put out, I'll still say "no, thanks" to a straw home.

 

[lbwireman]

Marc,
Having grown up on a working ranch in SE OK, if we're talking about hay that's been put up "green" (wet, uncured, etc.) I couldn't agree more. I've seen what they called "spontaneous combustion" back then. And it is a bear to put out. also true of loose hay or straw. In straw bale construction on the other hand, we're talking about properly cured, baled and erected wall systems, built with straw bales (not hay). Big difference.
Sean

 

[wawireguy]

Bid it much higher than you think you should.. Trim is a PIA. The stuff they spray is like concrete. Bid high and maybe snoop around some other straw bale(cow food) houses in your area.

 

[mdshunk]

Bid high and maybe snoop around some other straw bale(cow food) houses in your area.

Actually, cows just poop on straw, they don't eat it.