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Straw Bale House with Post and Beam Construction
 Building code in New Mexico, as in many other parts of the country, does not permit the straw bales to carry the load of the roof. Therefore, the roof is supported by a post-and-beam structure, and the straw bales are used as insulation infill only. One advantage to this is that the roof can be constructed before the bales are positioned. This offers some protection from rain during construction.

The posts are 4 x 4's with a 4" x 8" perimeter beam on top. The posts are spaced up to 8' apart. Note the closer spacing for framing around windows and doors. The roof trusses, sitting on top of the perimeter beam, are deep enough to allow for R-55 cellulose insulation (R-30 is code). Please refer to the "Building With Awareness" DVD to learn the step-by-step process of post-and-beam construction.

Building With Awareness
Post-and-beam framing for straw bale walls

 

straw bale post and beam back Construction Tour 6 of 14 straw home post and beam forward