StrawBalecom Initial Cost Estimates

Why build a strawa bale with a 20% cost over run when you can buiild a concrete walled home for 10% additional cost? I would think a concrete home would last longet than a straw get this the concrete home is styrofoam insulated some of the best insulation around.

From all I've seen on building straw bale homes, the size and design I'd want would cost very little total. Of course I would do the majority of the labor and would also use salvaged materials where possible which both reduce cost dramatically.

@fobgirl19 Fourth – Insulation: Check the R-value, thicknesses in the attic, vapor barriers and insulate to at least R-19. My Monolithic Dome has an effective R-value of 60, and the polyurethane foam provides the best vapor barrier of any insulation available. Check for yourself @ monolithic dome dot com

@cdltpx a strawbale has a insulation value of r50 and the styrofoam you talk about is no better than a r5.. styrofoam's advantage is the high insulation value to thickness ratio.. but the price to reach a r50 in foam might run you around 300$ verse 50$ in straw and the straw is a structural element in many homes, so its dual purpose... so thats another 50$ saved...

More expensive IF you contract all the work. Their are many ways to cut down on costs without cutting down on the quality of the work. Building a house is HARD work, if you, family, and volunteers pitch in and are able to work well within the plan for the project (along with a few professionals) you can cut the costs by thousands.

Key- Having a good well thought through plan.

@strawbaleinnovations ...please let me know how could I host a workshop while buiding my round strawbale house...it should be on pills(at 7 meters high) and the roof a terrace...and the skeleton would be made from steel....it should look like a deltec without roof ...

@cdltpx "and the polyurethane foam provides the best vapor barrier of any insulation available." polyurethane foam its self isnt a vapor barrier, its insulation...

bottom line unless you are recycling foam yourself I doubt using foam is going to be cheaper then a strawbale to reach r-60... also concrete is a thermal mass not much of a insulation, because its so dense... are you maybe using spray foam insulation.. maybe its much cheaper that way then I'm aware?

i had thought, from an Australian point of view that strawbale construction house was meant to be vastly cheaper than building a traditional house, im a bit confused now:S