Natural building codes: some for straw bale and adobe, little for cob
There are no building codes for most types of natural building. The one material that does have a fair amount of testing and data is straw bale, thanks to California rice growers. "So the rice growers had a very, very strong economic incentive to support the development of straw bale building so they'd have a market for their straw bales which is great," explains natural building expert Michael G. Smith, "but in the absence of that, there's nobody trying to sell dirt, there's no industry out there pushing the sale of clay soil or stones or natural sticks or wood chips. So the question becomes who's going to get behind and really fund the very expensive research that needs to happen to make these things more accessible to people wanting to build to code." Original story here: http://faircompanies.com/videos/view/natural-building-codes-some-straw-bale-but-little-for-cob/
Comments
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nice job xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxdddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
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I disagree. Straw prices have gone up very recently, but for a very long time it was super inexpensive. Additionally, a straw bale has an R-55 rating. The best fiberglass stuff for you house caps out around R-30. So straw on the outside, cob the inside to act as thermal mass to hold the internal temperature, and you've got a very comfortable home that requires almost no heating or cooling.
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It is also illegal and unconstitutional to commit acts of treason against the American people's civil liberties and inalienable rights. So as far as the laws go: If they are unconstitutional then it is treason and if so then it is a tell tale sign that the American people need to make a stand just as our Founding Fathers did in 1776. According to Tyranny, Patriotism is terrorism. You can imagine what is next....
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It really is absurd. It's illegal to be homeless (vagrancy), but it's also illegal to build a place to live so you won't be homeless. No matter which way you go, you're an outlaw.
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Pretty much. Government is out of control and the only way to stop it is 1776.
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Building codes are a just one more failure of government. They prevent the poorest among us from building their own homes ... because you're better off sleeping on the ground in the rain rather than in a warm dry house that hasn't been inspected and approved by "the authorities".
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The codes assume weaker structures even though new methods create much stronger materials, so you end up with a much stronger structure than ever expected. I don't see a problem except that it could be a significant expense difference.
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Awesome. I'm planning my new house right now using straw bale & cob. Also, planning with passive solar techniques. Your videos are invaluable. Michael is awesome. Thanks.
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Straw bale makes zero sense since the 1800s. Cobb seems very promising.
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Where is this?
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@arachn1dinshoe Straw bale has passed fire testing. You're right, part of that is due to the fact that the bales are packed tight so that there is little oxygen inside. Also, the plaster coating applied to all straw bale walls is a better fire protectant than some conventional sidings.
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I think the guy's voice is just a habit.
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@kirstendirksen I'm looking forward to that video! All of your videos are fascinating and beautifully done-- even the Potty Diaries! (Who'd have thought an interesting and beautiful mini-documentary could be done on potty training?)
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@TheDenisedrake The homes that Michael shows in some of the other videos that I shot with him on the topic are several years old and they are in great condition. I will also be posting a video soon on the topic of the durability of natural building materials.
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Sure hope there are no Big Bad Wolves near that house. Kidding! :P Seriously, such and interesting concept. I'm glad to see a terrific use for rice straw. It would be interesting to see a house that is several years old-- especially showing how it holds up in the rain.
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