People who are lucky enough to live in straw bale houses generally love the experience. What is a straw bale house? It is constructed of... bales of straw! The bales are protected from weather and any little critters that might want to live in them by being plastered both inside and out. Frequently an overhang extends out from the house as well.

Most commonly, the house uses a post-and-beam framework as the basic structure and then the straw bale house has the bales used as infill. This construction method is called "non-load-bearing" because the bales themselves do not support the load of the roof. In many localities, this is the only approach that building authorities will approve.

In contrast, a "load-bearing" straw bale house has the roof resting right on the straw bales. This requires care in construction so that the weight is properly balanced. This method is more ecological, as it uses less wood.

This approach is considered easier for beginners to tackle. The straw bale walls go up very rapidly, which is pleasing to everyone working on the project. Naturally, they still have much more to do, like wiring and plastering!

The southwestern part of the United States is a very popular place for straw bale houses but they are becoming more widespread in other areas now. There are straw bale-specific building codes, and there are banks that are familiar enough with straw bales homes that they make loans on them.

So what are the benefits of living in a straw bale home?

1. Insulation: The thick walls mean that straw bale houses naturally stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This saves a lot of money on heating bills, and if air conditioning is even needed in a very hot climate, its use will be considerably reduced. Of course, the energy savings will continue for the entire life of the house and thus will add up to a lot of money over time.

2. Renewable resources: When we say that straw is a renewable resource, we mean that it can be grown again and again as needed. An added bonus is that it is grown pretty much everywhere so you do not need to pay high transportation costs. As sustainability in construction is becoming more important to people everywhere, this factor is becoming more important in how people choose to build. Another plus for straw bale houses!

3. The experience of living: Straw bale houses tend to be beautiful, with their thick walls and handmade aspects. The walls make the inside of the house very quiet, with outside noise coming in much less than in a conventional house. The plasters used to cover the bales are lovely, often natural tones.

In summary, straw bale houses are ecological and beautiful. Beginners can build them. While building a house is never a simple project -- just ask anyone who has done it! -- straw bale houses offer many advantages.