INTRODUCTION

STRAW IS THE STALK LEFT OVER AFTER CEREAL CROPS SUCH AS RICE, WHEAT, AND BARLEY ARE
HARVESTED.
 HAS BEEN USED IN CONSTRUCTION EVER SINCE HUMANS
HAVE CREATED SHELTER

USED FOR CENTURIES IN ASIA AND EUROPE, BEGAN AS A

PLASTER MIXTURE

FIRST USED IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE GREAT PLAINS

DUE TO THE LACK OF TIMBER

MAKING A COMEBACK BECAUSE OF HIGH AMOUNT OF

BENEFITS

•“NEBRASKA-STYLE”

•USE BALES AS IF THEY WERE LARGE BRICKS, COMPRESSED WITH HEAVY MATERIAL

•PLASTERED ON BOTH SIDES

•USUALLY LIMITED TO ONE STORY

ADVANTAGES

• WILL BUGS OR RODENTS EAT MY HOUSE? NO!

• THERE IS NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE IN STRAW

• BURROWING CAN BE LIMITED BY CAREFUL PLASTER APPLICATION AND TIGHTLY WOVEN

WIRE MESH SURROUNDING BALES

• WILL MY HOUSE ROT? NO!

• WALLS ARE BREATHABLE ENOUGH THAT CONDENSATION IS LIMITED

DISADVANTAGES

FIRE RESISTANCE