What are people most afraid of? Family health? A house fire? An earth movement or a weather event? The housing investment dollar? As fear and stress underlie many health complaints it is timely to consider the health.
- Straw bale construction is a remarkably healthy strategy. It is safe. It is economical. It is healthy. That is – if designed and constructed properly.
- The adage “a good hat and good boots” still stands. A roof with longevity and good airflow, wide overhangs, potassium silicate earth plaster, wick-up protection and adequate drainage all contribute to a moisture (and therefore microbial) free healthy house. A house without mould is usually a healthy house.
- Plastered bales take 2 ½ hours to begin burning: in that time a wooden structure would be reduced to ashes. Be forewarned that fire fighters have no idea how to deal with a fire in a straw bale structure, and can often do more damage than the fire. Using loose straw as garden mulch reduces the fire hazard to zero.
- Because of natural elasticity and the flexibility of structure, straw bale walls are earthquake and high-wind proof. Sound amelioration and astounding acoustics are two more healthy attributes. And if you have ever been to a rifle range, you’ll know that straw bales are bullet proof.
- Breathing walls (up to three air exchanges per hour), air flow (depending on design), hygroscopicity (depending on choice of surface), thoughtful use of non-toxic building materials, and good personal cleaning and cleanliness habits automatically produce good indoor air quality and better personal health.
- Subtle energies in a straw bale house are indescribable. No one walks into a straw bale house without feeling the difference, and feeling good. The human energy field is immediately satisfied resulting in good chemicals in the physical body for feelings of “peace” or “happiness” or “satisfaction” or “fulfillment” and more.
- The subtle energies are a result of enjoining Nature. Natural materials such as straw, earth, wood, clean air, minerals, and stones all produce frequencies that translate into balance and well-being.
- Healthy straw bale structures can last for hundreds of years. This is in sharp contrast to “modern” unhealthy building practices resulting in houses lasting less than thirty years not being cost effective in the long run.
  |
  |
 |
 |