Straw Bale House Walls | Part 3

[@ycvideos]

what I love is whole family is working together!

[@hardcore4476]

Good for you guys! Thanks for sharing, and sorry to see so many negative comments below!! I’m sure this house will last for at least 100+ years and more sub stainable then normal wood homes. Enjoy all the hard work!!

[@buildingroots5873]

thank you!

[@Christohalopitus]

You guys rock! There will be a movement and you are helping others(my family) be more comfortable making the build! Love your channel

[@buildingroots5873]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@CrestoneEnergyFair]

Nice footage of some of the different processes! Gotta love Straw bale builds!

[@maximiliangage5288]

instaBlaster.

[@borilivannov2518]

Hi! You need to make a chronological playlist! Thank you for videos! I hope that one day we will succeed with this dream! You are wonderful! I wish you many years filled with love and consent! God bless you!

[@buildingroots5873]

ok I will attempt to do that! thank you, it isn't easy but it is doable. Best of luck to you!

[@prov2.3-5]

Go, Mama, go!!!

[@ssmechanic4739]

Молодцы, отличный экологичный дом

[@ELOAAMinistries]

You guys make that look soooooo.... easy!

[@buildingroots5873]

thank you, dont let the videos fool you, it is A LOT of work!

[@观世因]

Very nice, thank you for sharing

[@Gulfraz-jx1sq]

Excellent job ,,👍👍

[@mikehitchcock707]

OMG you guys that's super awesome & affordable not to mention kinda looks fun & can experiment with creativety.. I know I could do this.. I wanna see how you seal it.. (stucco or, mud it)-& a final photo of finish product

[@bob_frazier]

Untreated doug fir right on the concrete with no vapor barrier? Still lovely. I'd live there. Good for you guys.

[@darshelliabutler4281]

Can you explain why you poured rocks over the foam and then put straw bales on top?

[@suyapaortega3866]

Buen trabajo.

[@ElPasoRealEstateExpert]

Do you have a 2D floor plan? I seriously love the look of this home... I'm hoping to do a single story strawbale home myself but am wondering if I could somewhat replicate this as a single story with some high walls for the clerestory & the look of that circle window... just beautiful!

[@buildingroots5873]

no we don't have any 2D plans.. Thank you. I would start by placing rooms where you want them located (for me having the kitchen on the SW corner was a must and I kept 'building' my plan around that). A circle window will look gorgeous ANYWHERE in a straw bale house - I think they are a must have ;) .. I placed the windows last, once I had my idea of what the structure and roof was going to look like. You will get there!

[@dc-wp8oc]

Awesome effort! You are blessed with an enthusiastic work crew. Is the frame constructed with dimensional lumber or post and beam and did you do the framing? And how are the mechanical and electrical systems installed? Are the final wall coatings proprietary or common easy to obtain materials? If some of these questions are answered already, just refer to that video. Thanks for uploading this.

[@buildingroots5873]

post and beam, we did it. look through the previous videos for the electrical video, he plaster is Natural Hydraulic lime purchased through limes.us.

[@stefanr.3495]

I say watch out for the big bad wolf!

[@shaunedwards4893]

Running the electrical?

[@peterfarrell8520]

I’m not sure what the large aggregate is for, and I’m puzzled as to just how you’re fixing the bales of straw together. As the usual method are to secure the bales to one another & then secure them to the base of the structure. If the aggregate is there for airflow, as it’s size might allow vermin to access the inside of the bales. As this would make an ideal home for them as well. If you were wanting to vermin proof the base , fine specific sized aggregate can be obtained. I’m sorry if I haven’t seen the bit where fix the bales to make a fit & proper structure, but unless it’s done correctly. It’s a waste of materials, money and time. Best of luck with your endeavours!

[@carriefisher2644]

Cool post and beam house with strawbale infill. Couple questions: 1) did you get a permit for this or are you in a laissez-faire planning department area? 2) what seismic category is your land? Or what region are you in? 3) why the OSB?

[@buildingroots5873]

no permit, did not need one.. No idea the seismic category if there is one. We live southwest North Dakota. OSB? acts as a barrier on the roof and needed for the loft. I didn't look into alternatives for this one as I knew I wouldn't have won that debate 🙃 thanks for watching!

[@ElPasoRealEstateExpert]

I love the design of your house! Where did you guys find your plans or did you guys custom design it? I have a few questions & admittedly haven't yet seen all of the videos, so my apologies if it's covered elsewhere... but what made you end up doing sheet rock as opposed to plaster throughout the interior? Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently? Thanks for sharing this journey with us! ❤

[@buildingroots5873]

Thank you, I drew up the plans based on our needs and land and it just all came together. As far as roof pitches and what not, we didn't completely have that figured out until we were at that point in our build (don't be afraid to change plans during the build process!) .... as far as sheetrock goes, it wasn't something I initially wanted but sometimes a person has to go do better in one area and well maybe not so in the other.. Husband wanted drywall, and after looking into and figuring out if there was an alternative I just wasn't having any luck at all. Plaster would be THE best option but expensive and EXTREMELY labor intensive (but then again maybe not once you think about all that has to go into the drywall process from the hanging all the way to finishing up with paint) For me though in our relationship we have to come to an agreement on different choices and this was one where I let him make that decision since well I made a lot of the others haha).. I do think though with having a smaller scale house that interior plaster walls would be awesome and the way to go :) As far as knowing what we know now and doing things differently, I seriously need to write those things down because they come and go and i forget.. Nothing too major, mostly silly errs on our part or just cosmetic things so far ( I may do a video on this in the end once I have all our 'mistakes' all written down)...But the BEST advice I can give you is 'LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION' ... all the things that we 'should' have done differently were all things that my gut were telling me wasn't right or "I should look into this more" or be more assertive when others say its fine type of thing.. So now it isn't even the mistakes that bother me its more the fact that I wasn't listening to that inner knowing that is always right 🧡

[@ElPasoRealEstateExpert]

@@buildingroots5873 Thank you so much for your reply! I would absolutely LOVE to see a video on that once you're done! It's literally the #1 question that I think of when looking at what different people are doing... & after that how much has your build cost in total so far & estimate of completion costs... I've got time, lol, but I like to plan... I still need to find the land for my build.

[@buildingroots5873]

for sure, and planning is THE best thing to do. It will save you on hiccups down the road. I would like to do a video on the cost because I feel like that is the number 1 question everyone has about it.. overall It is really comparable to a regular house. we are little ways under 100k right now for a general idea.. We should be in it completely for under 120k i would think. We did not have to pay for land (yet) which really helps with the cost.

[@jenniferbunker2757]

How much did it cost in total to build this house?

[@buildingroots5873]

I may touch on costs in another video in the near future!

[@BoeboeCat]

Ok it's installed well? What else?

[@ZoonCrypticon]

Such an amazing work you have done! Wow! Congratulation! God bless ! How do you make a straw-bale house fire proof, by the way ?

[@buildingroots5873]

thank you. once the lime plaster is on, it is much more fire proof than a standard stick built house. compressed bales have little oxygen in them thus slower to burn!

[@bt3722]

Great job! It’s good to see that you have a guy that was willing to pitch in and help. (Jk)

[@malisaanderson6786]

Can I ask what did you insulate the roof with? We're considering building!

[@buildingroots5873]

We used sheep's wool from havelock wool.

[@lauracouto3967]

Obrigada Essa técnica de construção, onde se pode aprender ? Portugal

[@orangge386]

With this type of building, is it possible to have big french door installed?

[@PAUL78872]

👍😊😊

[@nadinedolan9304]

Interesting looking "straw". What crop did it come from?

[@buildingroots5873]

it is flax straw, was a little green at harvest time though

[@jenniferhoffman5100]

What is the chainsaw used? Our chainsaw is dulling really fast with our straw bale cutting. Do you change it often?

[@buildingroots5873]

it was just a random electric chainsaw, i don't know the brand. we never changed anything on it other than having to tighten the chain a few times.

[@peterellis4262]

y wife and I are also building a strawbale house, I'm still working on the timberframe for ours. What's the weight on the bales you are using, and did you just buy straw bales, or did you get something specifically for building? I have read some sources discussing the need for more tightly compressed bales for building than are commonly produced when producers bale up their straw...

[@buildingroots5873]

We used organic flax straw bales that we baled up ourselves -they were dry and tight which is what we were going for. They were around 35 pounds I believe and harvested with an older combine. Which leads me to my next thought: I am wondering if the reason why your source mentioned that is because nowadays almost all combines (that harvest the field) shred the straw in small/fine pieces leaving it hard to make tight bales. Whereas years ago the combines did not shred the straw and the stalks were a good 12" long or so, which made nice interlocking tight bales. Of course the baler itself has a lot to do with it also. Many people around here are just making straw bales simply for bedding for their livestock and aren't too concerned about tightness -they just need the bales to make it off the field into storage. So this all makes it harder to find someone that has the bales with the specifics needed for building. They are out there though, you just need to put it out there and look around (maybe facebook farm to table type groups?)! Where are you located?

[@peterellis4262]

@@buildingroots5873 We are in SW Michigan. Thanks for the swift response ;)

[@wikedwhich1]

@@buildingroots5873 I agree its hard now to find good quality tightly packed straw bales...I am in the UK and it is not just a case of any old bale...you want really good bales. Barbara Jones is a brilliant teacher and knows so much, if you ever need advice.

[@spiceweasel945]

@@buildingroots5873 they looked remarkably green. Were they completely dry?

[@buildingroots5873]

@@spiceweasel945 yea unfortunately one side of the house was really green. they were only 8% moisture which is ideal. the crop was harvested a little too early in my opinion.

[@claudiuchiriac8863]

Hey, culture shock here, I see that in USA you use straw bales to build the actual wall, here in Europe we have multiple companies that ocuppied specifically on straw walls, but for us is different, cause they are pre built and the actual straw is pressed at a high quantity/m3, they are more efective and have better temperature insulation, you dont have that?

[@buildingroots5873]

Im sure there has to be somewhere that offers this! It sound amazing though!

[@KP4life353]

How is it getting home owners insurance on one of these straw built homes?

[@buildingroots5873]

andrew morrison from strawbale.com has an article or two with information about this as well as companies that allow this type of build in their plans.

[@czemuczemuczemu1958]

That looks great! Did you have a professional help as well, or some architects’ guidance?

[@buildingroots5873]

thank you! neither, Everything has been done ourselves from the design to the build - with the help of family and friends here and there!

[@ericwilson8848]

Have to mute it

[@ArosIrwin]

Guys, if you're talking, you have to turn down the backing music. Nice house but I have little to no idea what you're saying.

[@Nikki-Shashi]

Great house. What's the roof material you have used?

[@buildingroots5873]

standing seam metal roof

[@tpofindia]

How to protect from Fire 🔥🔥

[@buildingroots5873]

once the plaster is on, there is little to no oxygen for fire to move along..Strawbale houses are slower to burn (if at all) compared to a traditional stick built house.

[@esorfaa9587]

Is it possible in Bangladesh?

[@markzalavari1780]

could you show us the rope binding technique?

[@buildingroots5873]

rope binding?

[@MrMiner5605]

great job, can you notify me when you plaster? would love to see that, don't want to miss it!

[@buildingroots5873]

subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so your alerted when a new video comes in. We should have that video in about 3 weeks from now, weather is warming up!

[@Modi375]

Looks good . . .but if it catch fire no way to stop the fire . . here in my place still people built house by hay . . its cold during summer time . . .

[@buildingroots5873]

That is not true, stick built house burn fast than strawbale house that have thick plaster on both sides.

[@sarahlallemand4111]

Go job! But why this music? I have the impression to watch something really sad ...

[@buildingroots5873]

if I could go back and change it I most definitely would, I was having a hard time finding music and just added whatever. I'm still learning!

[@lesterhersh7184]

How does one keep the rodents out of the walls???

[@buildingroots5873]

1.5" + of lime plaster is usually thick enough to keep rodents out as long as it is applied correctly where there is no ''accessible" areas for rodents to get in. thanks for watching!

[@TS-xi4io]

Fire proof house? Nice bidding for mice and rodents 🤔 hope it is children play house 🏠 The old saying, hay in the barn is cash in the bank' 😀

[@vls1900]

볏짚 단열은 인정할 수밖에 없지 근데 나뭇가지로 철근 역할하는 건 옥에 티네..

[@brianloughnane825]

Have ye fire insurance and that happen when it rains eventually the hay will rot..

[@buildingroots5873]

it is flax straw, it will not rot.

[@shaunmcgowan827]

Is this going to be a black mold factory behind the scenes? Don't let moisture get in it, ever.

[@ThisArdentLife]

I wonder if incorporating lime into the building of the walls (dusting them, maybe?) Would help prevent this.

[@glennwilck5459]

It will be waterproof after they plaster it I don't think they have to worry about it

[@frankfenske7867]

Straw is better to work with than hay……just saying. But nice job.

[@buildingroots5873]

absolutely, this is straw

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

basically its a matchbox

[@_CitizenRick_]

It’s actually more fire resistant than standard builds. I was surprised to find out myself. Look into it.

[@Christohalopitus]

The toxins from this house IF it burnt wouldn’t kill you as fast. They don’t burn. Flame torch to a compressed bale for 3 minutes before it would hold a flame.

[@thomasmurray4717]

What’s up with this “music”?

[@buildingroots5873]

I know I know.. was learning and having a hard time finding something, if I could go back and change it I definitely would.

[@omamckittrick7968]

Be mindful of the rodents that can penetrate those straw bales!

[@wikedwhich1]

How would rodents get in here? It will be sealed with an a good plaster on both sides. Its a tried and tested method of at least a hundred years. Its a brilliant method of building...do some research.!

[@GreenPasture1]

Those bales are not straw, it looks like barley so have nutrient value for rodents. Rodents when hungry can go everywhere, plastered sealed walls are nothing to them. Nice job, wrong bales.

[@ocolotav1]

Sorry but the looks like a big fire pit.

[@buildingroots5873]

but it's not

[@beckyrehman1059]

And I bet I won’t be a big fire pit with the with the lime, right? Isn’t that what dry wall is anyway? We’re all brainwashed. This is great! And warm I bet!

[@Jean-vz8co]

Very dangerous house!!!!!!!!!!!!!................ I can't entry in only for take à little coffee................... never, never, never...................

[@buildingroots5873]

haha, do your research before talking crap on other peoples dreams....

[@glennwilck5459]

Some people have no clue..

[@kikopetcamp7630]

Yet, no problem living in a styrofoam cooler box? Things don't burn without oxygen.

[@dwood4453]

Looks like a fire hazard waiting to happen.

[@buildingroots5873]

Once stucco is on both sides, these houses hold up better to fire than a traditional stick built house. There have been straw bale houses in the California forest fires that are still standing to this day (pictures showed the fire all around the houses), when all the other houses burned down.

[@glennwilck5459]

Throw a compressed straw bale on a fire and see what happens they don't burn at all..loose straw on the other hand burns

[@ericwilson8848]

Terrible music just like sskooly builds

[@buildingroots5873]

😂I don't know where to find decent free non copyright music and honestly don't have the time to look anymore. If you have any advice on where to get it, i am all ears!

[@ericwilson8848]

@@buildingroots5873 ok

[@chrismartin2664]

@@buildingroots5873 Eric might be a bit of a douche bag 😉

[@buildingroots5873]

@@chrismartin2664 Sometimes though, we need the criticism to strive to do better. Technology and music are my weak points and I needed that push to make a better attempt for future videos.