WHY BUILD WITH STRAWBALE?
Strawbale has fantastic acoustic and thermal insulation properties, which means:
A peaceful and comfortable environment,
Reduced heating and cooling costs.
Aesthetic appeal of thick walls, deep window reveals, and a hand-crafted finish.
Utilizes a renewable waste product generated from grain harvest.

HOW GOOD IS THE THERMAL INSULATION?
A standard 2-string bale has at least an R10 rating.
Firstrate energy rating software includes strawbale at a conservative R4.5. Beyond that, thermal performance is dependant on other elements of the building.

WHAT ABOUT FIRE ISSUES?
Fire safety testing conducted by the CSIRO of rendered strawbales for performance during high level bushfire attack.
The results conclude that strawbales rendered with earth, lime and cement to a thickness of 40mm or greater, comply with the BCA performance criteria for Class 1 Buildings in High Category Bush-Fire Prone Areas

WHAT ABOUT MOISTURE AND DURABILITY ISSUES?
Only dry strawbales should be used with a moisture content of 15% at most.
Good eaves all around the building will protect the walls from direct rainfall
The render provides protection from moisture penetration, and is also vapour permeable, which allows the wall to breathe.
A well built strawbale home can be expected to last at least as long as any other building. There are many examples of early 20th century strawbale buildings still alive and well today.

WHAT ABOUT TERMITES AND VERMIN?
There is no cavity in a strawbale wall and the straw is sealed off with render and cappings.
There is no nutritional value in straw to attract vermin, unlike hay, which should NOT be used for building.

IS THERE ANY PROBLEM WITH PLANNING AND BUILDING APPROVAL?
Building your house with strawbale is usually of no concern to planning authorities, but rather design issues affected by Rescode.
Building approval can be given by independent and unbiased building surveyors, so long as the relevant BCA’s and AS’s are met. Strawbale homes have been built across Australia.

WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE FOR OWNER BUILDERS?
Obtaining construction and public liability insurance is not compulsory in order to receive a building permit.
However, many lending institutions will not lend money without it.
If you wish to sell the house within 6.5 years, then home warranty insurance will be required.