Straw bale clay

Straw bale clay, Straw build and Straw Clay

Straw Bale Clay and Straw build are two different construction techniques

Straw bale clay is a method in which about 30 to 40 cm long straw is mixed with oily loam. The mixture consists of 200 kg of loam per m3 diluted with water and the rest is straw. The mixture should be covered for at least 24-48 hours before installation. Straw clay is pressed into a prefabricated formwork.

The mixture does not need to be completely rammed, the looser the installation, the lighter the material and the higher the insulation value. Do not make walls thicker than 20 cm. Remove formwork immediately upon completion. Install straw clay no later than July of a year, this is necessary due to slow drying (6-8 weeks drying time).

If straw clay of loam is still damp in late autumn, mold can form. Both straw construction methods require a roof overhang of at least 1 meter and the foundation must also be at least 40 cm high. After the walls have completely dried, they can be plastered. Straw clay is a very labour-intensive construction method and therefore expensive.

Straw bale construction is a method in which straw bales are stacked on top of each other in a pre-built framework. Here too, as already described for straw clay, the large overhang and the foundation height apply. Finished straw bale walls can be plastered immediately, there is no waiting time.

Building with straw bales is a quick method and therefore cheaper than building with straw loam.

Straw bale clay and Straw construction without a roof overhang can lead to water damage and we therefore advise against building without an overhang for Northern Europe and other wet continents.

Look the video:

The new living

Straw bale clay: Jorn and Anneloes build a self-sufficient house of recycled material in Culemborg for only 5000 euros. A house of discarded office units, of loam and straw, with second-hand items and many innovative applications.

Read more or about other Clay Construction Techniques!