Building With Straw Bales: A Practical Guide for the Uk and Ireland [Paperback]

Barbara Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2002

Straw bale building is a radically different approach to the process of building. Like all innovative ideas, it has been pioneered by the passionate, and used experimentally by those with the vision to see its potential. Its background is grassroots self-build; it is firmly based in that sustainable 'green building' culture that has brought to the construction industry many new and useful ideas about energy efficiency and responsibility towards the environment.
As a building material, straw excels in the areas of cost effectiveness and energy efficiency. And because the building method is so straightforward, people without previous building experience can participate in the design and construction, making significant savings on labour costs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"All you want to know about in situ strawbale building construciton, explained in one easy-to-understand book" - Tim Yates, Technical Director, BRE Ltd, and Peter Walker, Director, BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials, University of Bath "Explains the principles of the system in straightforward, common-sense terms. All the essentials are covered, including design, foundations, raising and stabilising walls and how straw bale buildings can exceed Building Regulations requirements. There are also new sections on natural plasters, the effect of humidity on straw bales and an extensive resources section." Build It "The essential guide to straw-bale building." Grand Designs "A perfect balance between hard facts, sociological context, and beautiful images... Get yourself a copy of Jones' book, and buy one for a friend" -- Mark Anslow The Ecologist

About the Author

Barbara Jones is the most experienced straw bale builder in the UK, who has adapted North American techniques for use in our wetter climate, particularly by using coppiced wood and traditional lime and clay plasters. It gives details of all the main construction methods, and includes: bale specifications, walls and foundations, doors and windows, plastering, construction drawings, building regulations, and planning permission. This book also gives answers to some frequently asked questions about straw bale building.

Product Details

• Paperback: 125 pages
• Publisher: Green Books (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903998131
• ISBN-13: 978-1903998137
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,085,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars From bale specifications to building regulations, most of the data can be translated and applied to any project, February 20, 2011

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building With Straw Bales, 2nd edition: A Practical Guide for the UK and Ireland (Paperback)

Building with Straw Bales: A Practical Guide for the UK and Ireland appears in a revised, updated edition and actually is a key pick for any straw bale construction collection no matter where in the world it's located. There have been many changes to straw-bale building technology and this edition includes new construction drawings, new standards, examples of affordable housing designs, and more. From bale specifications to building regulations, most of the data can be translated and applied to any project.