Have you ever dreamed of building your own home? Were you deterred by the cost or your own inexperience? It may surprise you to learn that there are building methods that are actually easy to learn, inexpensive, and even environmentally responsible. Two popular methods are slipform stone and strawbale construction. There are certain advantages and disadvantages inherent to each type of construction. This article will help you determine which one is better suited to your specific needs and inspire you to create the home you’ve always wanted.
Slipform stone is a method that combines stone and concrete to build a wall. Homes built using this method look like they come straight from a storybook. The variety of shapes and sizes adds character and interest to the facade. These walls of these houses are built using slipforms. Slipforms are wooden frames that support the wall as it is being built. They are covered in oil to prevent them from sticking to the concrete. The slipforms are set up parallel so that the wall will fill the space between them. Stone is placed against one or both inside walls of the slipform and the rest of the space is filled with concrete. The outside of the wall always has stone; whether or not the interior side of the wall is stone or smooth concrete is a matter of personal taste. Once the concrete sets, the slipforms are “slipped” up to the top of the newly created piece of wall to support the next layer. Metal rods known as rebar are inserted into the concrete as well. These provide additional stability and help to connect the many layers together. Because the slipforms are generally not more than two feet high, the walls must be built in several layers. Although this may sounds like a lot of work, this method of construction is simple enough that even someone with no building experience can quickly learn to make solid walls using slipform stone.
As the name implies, strawbale construction refers to a house built out of bales of hay or straw. This may sound like an odd choice of material, but it has actually been used for hundreds of years. Strawbale constructions today are built to be comfortable and structurally sound even by current living standards. To create a building using strawbale construction, bales of straw are stacked in rows to create the walls of the house. They are connected together and plastered over to protect the straw from moisture and provide a clean, smooth wall surface. It is also easy to add curves to your house when building with haybales. This adds charm and beauty to its appearance, and these houses are often designed to look quite elegant.
Both slipform stone and strawbale construction use materials that are easy to acquire, inexpensive, and renewable. Slipform stone constructions are low-maintainence, impervious to fire and weather, and will last a long time. Strawbale homes are well-insulated which makes them incredibly energy efficient. It is very important to keep the straw dry during the entire building process or it can rot. Depending on the type of plaster used and the design of the roof, they can be a bit harder to make weatherproof. Both methods require an investment of time and labor, but the rewards are worth it. Whether you choose to use slipform stone or strawbale construction , you can take pride in owning a beautiful home that you created with your own two hands.