straw bale

Energy Performance of Straw Bale Buildings

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“Earlier this year, my colleagues Ace McArleton of New Frameworks Natural Building, Ben Graham of Natural Design/Build, and I conducted extensive blower-door testing, infrared thermography, and a series of moisture tests (probe, pin, and scan) on seven different buildings we had built in part or whole over the past seven years in Vermont and New … Read more

External Pinning

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External pinning is a simple, inexpensive way to make stronger buildings. This method is widely used to reinforce strawbale and earthbag buildings. External pinning is not always necessary. Structures such as domes or small roundhouses made with soil-filled earthbags usually do not need external pins. This process is mostly used to stabilize long straight walls … Read more