ignoring the three little pigs themes in the msm if straw build is done well there seems no reason that it will not become a useful construction method
i recon alterations and retro fit might be a bit more complex than brick or timber and poor maintenance might be very bad quite quickly but apart from that they seem very sensible in the right setting.on a flood plain might be bad for example.
I simply do not take the material seriously as an investment proposition in the long term.
The brick built farmhouse we replaced (1921) was rotten, the real extent of the rot only apparent at demolition, our friend Richard did it, he just pushed it over with his forklift.
My friend Nick (owner/designer/builder of straw bale house) is a pretty techy guy, I would imagine that he made sure the thing would last as least as long asa normal house.
One of the options we looked at was rammed earth, if it had made sense (for the house we wanted and the soil we have) we'd have gone for it.
In short it's not about the materials, it's about design and construction, quality of both is what determines longevity...
I simply do not take the material seriously as an investment proposition in the long term.
The brick built farmhouse we replaced (1921) was rotten, the real extent of the rot only apparent at demolition, our friend Richard did it, he just pushed it over with his forklift.
My friend Nick (owner/designer/builder of straw bale house) is a pretty techy guy, I would imagine that he made sure the thing would last as least as long asa normal house.
One of the options we looked at was rammed earth, if it had made sense (for the house we wanted and the soil we have) we'd have gone for it.
In short it's not about the materials, it's about design and construction, quality of both is what determines longevity...
Strawbale has a much longer lifespan - at least 100 yrs.
A Baratt box has a lifetime of approx. 25.
EV
Last edited by earthyvirgo on Mon Feb 09, 15 2:26 pm; edited 1 time in total
vegplot
Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 21301 Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd
I'm not prejudiced against them - I'd live in one happily as I said.
I simply do not take the material seriously as an investment proposition in the long term.
But please - be my guest !
It'll last much longer than you or I. The oldest straw bale houses in Europe was built in 1921 and we now have a much greater understanding of materials behaviour.
It's land that's the investment not the house that's built on it.
Last edited by vegplot on Mon Feb 09, 15 2:27 pm; edited 1 time in total
You're entitled to your opinion of course and I presume you will be investing in one yourself ?
No, I won't. I've not long ago built a timber frame one (basically I beams, warmcel and OSB with oak shakes as the cladding), a lot of people thought we should go more traditional (in constrution and looks) but we didn't, and we're not worried about it.
Like I say we looked at all sorts of methods/materials, I might have bee swayed by stabilised rammed earth but the rammed earth guy we were speaking to was very dogmatic in his approach so we fell out.
I can't see me ever moving now, but if we were in the market and a decent strawbale house came up we'd look at it, maybe even buy it
vegplot
Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 21301 Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd
What`s the current situation regarding mortgages on straw build house`s already been constructed?
My thought`s being are they similar to that of timber framed of several years ago,that one could not get a mortgage on one that had been constructed previously if it was nearing its 25yr anniversary,