We all know the story of the three little pigs. The first pig who made his house made with straws got eaten by the big bad wolf. However, for homeowners and builders, homes built with straw bales may have redeeming qualities of being energy-efficient and cost-effective. It has become such an attractive green building material that even the UK government believe it has the potential to bale out the economic crisis felt even abroad.
“A typical straw bale wall is roughly three times as efficient as conventional framing,” says Andrew Morrison, owner of Straw Bale Innovations. “Over the life of a typical thirty year mortgage, this superior insulation can reduce energy costs by up to 75%, saving money and vital natural resources.”