Strawbale house

This is the log of my experience building my straw bale home. I am told the pictures do not do the actual finished product justice, however, I am pleased to share it with all who are interested on this site. The trials and tribulations in getting the permit could have brought the project to an abrupt halt, but I knew in my heart that this was something I was meant to do and giving in or quiting was never an option. Enjoy........ and feel free to share with your friends!

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Installing top plate for bales.

Top sill plate is being installed now, ready for the bales.
Parging the final part of the foundation, oh my, it is like a quagmire right now! Good job I don't have a basement. At least the drainage system is working (believe it or not). It is running in as quickly as it is being drained away!
Here you can see the ledge where the bales will sit. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Framing complete

So now the framing is complete. View: looking east, from the far west wall.
View: south face of the house. Posted by Picasa

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Slab backfilled

Backfilling of slab completed and framing on west wall completed. Posted by Picasa

Meet the crew from Havencraft Natural Homes: (left to right) Jen, Pat (proprietor), Nate and Dan.
Framing started..
Window bucks on the north side.
Framing started. Posted by Picasa

Monday, October 23, 2006

Septic bed being started

Boy is the site mucky........ too much rain for sure!

Because of the clay soil, we have to build the septic bed up with different kinds of gravel. This is just the bottom layer. Posted by Picasa

October 23

Framing ready to go up...... if only we could have a few days without rain.....
Sill plates on (this is where the bales sit). Excavator in the background is building the septic bed.
This is MY house!! .... well, it will be one day!
My front porch looking out.......... use your imagination now...!! Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Milling the posts for inside

Here are the posts being milled by my neighbour - Thank Goodness for great neighbours!
These will go inside the house. They look Amazing! Posted by Picasa

Insulating the Foundation

Foundation insulated, now ready to back fill.
 Posted by Picasa

Friday, October 13, 2006

Finally.... the full permit

Well, today we have a full go ahead as we received the full permit yesterday. Ironically, there is a light dusting of snow on the ground. Now we race the weather. Stay tuned... things will happen quickly now.... Posted by Picasa