Customer Reviews

Straw Bale Building: How to plan, design and build with straw

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a great volume for a layperson, with little or no construction experience, interested in straw bale building and other construction topics. For someone like myself, with modest building experience, ready to build a straw bale house, Straw Bale Building doesn't have enough detail. The authors spend too much space discussing general building considerations--mechanical systems, roofing styles, working with architects, etc.--taking up space that could be devoted to more straw bale-specific details like flashing, roofing detailing, and more. I like their eco-friendly bent, and there are some interesting (but brief) case studies. If you're new to construction and straw bales, this is a good starter book. However, it doesn't have enough information to get you to a finished building unless you do a lot of reading between the lines and puzzling out details.

Straw Bale Building: How To Plan, Design & Build With Straw is unique in that it does a great deal more than just tout the benefits, economies, and aesthetics of straw bale buildings. Chris Magwood and Peter Mack collaborate to instruct the reader in the nitty gritty, "nuts and bolts" of the actual construction techniques for building with straw bales. This practical, detailed, step-by-step "how to" instructional guide covers how to find and choose bales; developing sound building plans and budgets; roofing; electric, plumbing, and heating systems; building code compliance and working with building inspectors; and special concerns for builders in northern climates. From multi-story luxury dwellings to homes of elegant simplicity, architectural students and do-it-yourself home builders will find Straw Bale Building an indispensable "must" that is wonderfully enhanced throughout with photos, illustrations and diagrams.

This is probably the best book yet for builders. Of particular interest is the fact that as a Canadian publication the subject is covered from a cold climate perspective. These aren't southwest styled adobelite homes, but homes from the snow zone. Which is a useful addition to the literature.

The book covers both load and non-load bearing bale walls. Most of the previous books I have read have given structural details for load bearing walls more so than non-load bearing. This makes sense since non-load are basically just post and beam structures, which are covered elsewere. But putting the information in a straw bale book, and integrating it is a big convenience. To get up to speed before this book, I ended up reading all the other bale books, plus all the back-issues of Fine Homebuilding I could find, all the pole building books, timber framing, and post and beam books... This book is a big time saver.

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in strawbale construction, whether you are just getting interested in the subject, or have been researching every source you can find. I happen to fall into the last group. This book assumes no prior knowledge of strawbale construction methods, yet has something to offer even the more well read strawbale enthusiast. Recommended.

Straw Bale Building contains a gold mine of information for future straw bale builders. It is extremely well written, superbly illustrated, and altogther a delight to read. The authors have done a remarkable job. Read this book along with other important straw bale building books to see a variety of approaches to this innovative, environmentally friendly building technique.

This book is the BEST on the market for straw building - clear, comprehensive, unbiased and loaded with references.

Easy read, everything you need to know to build it yourself. Very thorough and informative.