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One material that should be used much more in building but isn't: straw!

It's become a recent obsession of mine.

* has a long history of use (no research needed)

* is eco friendly (in fact sequesters carbon)

* cheap

* readily available

* pliable material that is forgiving to build with, even for novices

* quick to erect walls

* is a waste material - usually ploughed back into fields or burned

* has very impressive thermal and sound insulation, so no additional insulation is needed, unlike a concrete walled home or building

I could go on....

Of course not every building or structure can be made from straw bales, but many houses, warehouses or smaller commercial buildings could be. It's a very low hanging fruit in the battle against climate change.

https://www.amazon.com/Building-Straw-Bales-Self-Builders-Su...

⬐ vxNsr

I read that straw is basically outlawed bec it’s hard to make a house with it and still be on the right side of fire safety codes. Especially if you’re using it as part of your insulation strategy.

⬐ patrickk

Where is it outlawed?

⬐ mercutio2

A straw bale wall burns MUCH more slowly than a stick frame wall.

So this is really not accurate (and standard fire codes have accepted this).

The bigger problem is that people don't like giving up so much of their footprint to 18-inch-thick walls.