Serious Straw Bale: A Home Construction Guide for All Climates (Real Goods Solar Living Book) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Michel Bergeron (Author)
Key Phrases: fog coat, plastered bale walls, bale builders, North America, The Last Straw, Hay House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In 1994, when Chelsea Green published The Straw Bale House , the response from many people was a loud, "Huh?!"

Those days are gone. With more than 100,000 copies sold, and straw bale projects underway in most regions of North America, we've entered a new era. Even building-code officials and insurance companies now look favorably upon straw bale buildings, with their extraordinary energy efficiency and wise use of agricultural waste for construction materials.

Bergeron and Lacinski's new book is the first to look carefully at the specific design considerations critical to success with a straw bale building in more extreme climates-where seasonal changes in temperature, precipitation, and humidity create special stresses that builders must understand and address. The authors draw upon years of experience with natural materials and experimental techniques, and present a compelling rationale for building with straw-one of nature's most resilient, available, and affordable byproducts.

For skeptics and true believers, this book will prove to be the latest word.

Thorough explanations of how moisture and temperature affect buildings in seasonal climates, with descriptions of the unique capacities of straw and other natural materials to provide warmth, quiet, and comfort year-round.

Comprehensive comparison of the two main approaches to straw bale construction: "Nebraska-style," where bales bear the weight of the roof, and framed structures, where bales provide insulation.

Detailed advice-including many well-considered cautions-for contractors, owner-builders, and designers, following each stage of a bale-building process.

This is a second-generation straw bale book, for those seeking serious information to meet serious challenges while adventuring in the most fun form of construction to come along in several centuries.

About the Author

Paul Lacinski is a partner in Green Space Collaborative , an environmental consulting firm offering integrated project management and innovative design services. He lives in Ashfield, Massachusetts.

Architect Michel Bergeron is a founding member of Quebec's legendary ecological design-build firm, Archibio. He is an author, designer, and builder. He lives in Montreal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 371 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company; 1st edition (December 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890132640
• ISBN-13: 978-1890132644
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,130 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #31 in	Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > Buildings & Construction
  #42 in	Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > Design & Construction
  #56 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Civil > Construction > Building Construction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The straw bale book we have been waiting for!, January 26, 2001

By	Byron E. Butchart (Charlottesville, VA, United States) - See all my reviews

I have been designing and building straw houses for a decade now, as well as teaching others how to do it. Across that time there have been a small handful of books on straw construction, each a great contribution in its time. But now we have what I feel is the book we have been waiting for: solid information in a well written format.

The authors are experienced builders with a common sense, grounded approach. Where most of the earlier books were coming out of the desert South West, this book specifically looks at the detailing needed in the colder and wetter parts of the world.

A wonderful contribution to the growing field of natural building. I recommend this book highly.

89 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Bale Left Unturned, March 11, 2002

By A Customer

This book now rockets into the forefront as the most complete straw bale book. It seems pretty much to be all here: Interested in mud floors - got it; Interested in earth plaster - It's here too. All the main building subjects are covered, often exhaustively. Once one strays from the 2x4 and block foundation, into alternative building, there are by definition a lot of options. There isn't a standard set of details yet for bales, which partially accounts for the length of the book.

The authors come from the enviro alternatives camp, but they aren't romantic about it. Expect some well deserved skepticism about the virtues of Nebraska style load-bearing walls in cold climates. On the other hand they leave the decision up to you. After spending 12 pages telling you why you might not want to build load bearing walls, they spend 22 more pages telling you how to do it (not to mention the countless other pages devoted to related topics).

This book covers the subject of framed straw bale walls more completely than any other thus far. This is an important addition to the literature. While the authors are driven in this direction by the realities of snow loads that are not experienced by all, those who live in wet climates, or wish to build multi-story houses will find much of use here also.

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fills a big gap, March 2, 2001

By	Sarah Culgin (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

I am a construction manager (trained as an architect) working in more conventional styles of construction but I am itching to get more involved with alternative building systems. Straw bale has caught my attention and imagination for many years but the lack of information on damp climate straw bale construction has made me very hesitant to do more than read about it. This is a witty, candid look at the issues that must be considered if building with bales in a damp climate. My only complaint is that I would have liked to see more illustrations of building details- many concepts described could have been made clearer with more illustrations and many other concepts that I wanted to see clearly addressed were only skimmed over (such as what to do where the bale wall meets the roof and what are the recommended methods of firestopping). Overall, it is a very valuable resource but there is room for more information in a second edition!