building with straw

Sunday, August 20, 2006 BUILDING WITH STRAW Frequently asked questions Isn't there a huge fire danger? No. Bales are tightly compressed, so not enough air is present for the straw to burn easily. In addition, the bales are encased in two or three coats of plaster, which is very fire-resistant. Tests have shown plaster-encased straw walls have two-hour fire resistance. Will the straw decompose? No. Dry straw does not degrade. Many straw bale homes in Nebraska are more than 100 years old. What about pests? Straw, unlike hay, does not have enough nutritive value to support pests. Also, pests have a harder time traveling through dense straw bales than through conventional wood framing. What about codes? Getting a permit to build a straw bale home can be easy or frustrating, depending on whether your local code department is familiar with the technology or willing to research it. The more information you are armed with, the better. Several Internet sites offer links to research that can help you during the permit process. What about insurance? Some insurance companies have more experience with straw bale than others. Once you find a company willing to do the research and write the policy, you will not pay more to insure your straw bale home than you would for a traditional home. Sources: www.strawbuilding.org, www.thelaststraw.org