The Last Straw Blog

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* Panel-built Classroom in Northern Arizona
This article originally appeared in TLS #49. Articles on straw-bale wall panel systems are included in issues #30, #42, #47, #48, #55. [caption id="attachment_542" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The steps from start to structure..."][/caption] by Matt Robinson - Arizona, USA Northen Arizona provides an ideal climate in which to build with straw bales and has ...

* Why We Build with Earthbags – TLS #55
This article originally appeared in TLS #55. This article is one of several natural building materials covered in the issue. There are earthbag articles in these other issues: #52 An Earthbag/Papercrete House; #28 Earthbag Construction; #16 Earth Shoes: Earthbags (used as foundation); #57 Earthbag Structures in Disaster and Poverty-stricken Areas. ...

* The TLS Blog Has a New Domain
The Last Straw Blog has changed it's domain from tls.buildearth.org to www.thelaststrawblog.org. There are many practical reasons for doing this and we hope by doing it now, early on in our existence, it will reduce the effort and any unintended consequences for our readers. If this is your first time ...

* Sill Pan Design Detail – TLS #51
[caption id="attachment_471" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Slope pan flashing to outside."][/caption] Included in TLS #49 (Myths and Realities, Spring 2005) was a discussion of ways to deal with moisture at the bottom of windows. David Eisenberg shared a written design detail for a pan under the window to carry water away from rather than down the wall. ...

* Lime Mortars DVD Review
[caption id="attachment_460" align="alignright" width="300" caption="What is the ratio of your mix? Let your sand tell you!"][/caption] This article is original content and has not appeared in The Last Straw. St. Astier Natural Limes, a producer of hydraulic lime products from France, is offering a set of DVD videos called The Master ...

* A Straw-bale Home in Idaho – TLS #55
This article originally appeared in TLS #55 and was the feature article in that issue. by Wayne Bingham and Colleen Smith - Idaho, USA Our interest in straw-bale construction grew out of our concern for energy efficiency. Our research into building energy efficiency grew into an awareness of sustainable building practices. An ...

* Planted Filter: A Modern Reed-bed System – TLS #58
This article originally appeared in TLS #58. by Rene Kilian - Denmark Save money on your black and grey water while protecting the environment! [caption id="attachment_433" align="alignright" width="224" caption="Reeds and iris clean the wastewater in the planted filter."][/caption] All properties without sewage facilities in rural areas of Europe must meet minimum standards for wastewater ...

* A Bit About Bale Walls
Currently in rough draft form, this information is the beginning preparation for an article or perhaps two that will appear in a future issue of The Last Straw journal with the theme "All About Bales." Your comments and input are welcome. by Joyce Coppinger, Managing Editor/Publisher, The Last Straw Journal Wall Structures The ...

* Basics and Benefits of the Use of Straw Bales for Building
This article does not appear in The Last Straw and is original content. Prepared by Joyce Coppinger, Managing Editor/Publisher, The Last Straw Journal 402.483.5135, www.thelaststraw.org INSULATION The R-value used for straw-bale walls is R-30. Most conventional stick-built construction has an R-value of around 15 with as high as R-30 in ceilings. Testing under controlled ...

* Fire in a House With Straw Bale Walls
This article is original content and has not appeared in TLS. [caption id="attachment_427" align="alignright" width="300" caption="No, this is not the house. We don't have a picture of a bale house on fire!"][/caption] This story is a reluctant one about a house comprised of both wood-framed and straw bale walls lost to ...