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I am new to the website and am looking for any member who has built a strawbale house in Kentucky as I am interested in constructing one myself in central Kentucky (Larue County, to be exact) and am researching. Hoping to find people who will share their experiences and expertise with me.
4peace..did you find anything about building with strawbale? I looked at the link above but couldn't find anything? I live in TN and want to build with strawbales. Please let me know if you find anything.
Strawbale homes are best suited in really dry climates. You could be in for a great deal of trouble when mixing moist air and rain water with straw. I do know that "normal code" for strawbales here requires the foundation to be 3 times as wide and an extra foot higher than a normal stick built home. You can figure your cement foundation expense to be 3 times more costly than a standard stick built house. I do not know the average cost of a foundation but the cement needed can be calculated rather easily. I have a friend who estimates everything for a large contractor...I should give him a call.
If I were guessing...anywhere with annual rainfall greater than 20 inches would be asking for mold problems. One way around the huge cement foundation rules is to build a stick built then use strawbales inside the frame. You end up with incredible insulation without having to mess with all the foundation code regulations. But you also end up with about twice the cost to frame the house since the framing has to be on the outside and inside of the strawbales. Either way strawbale construction can be incredibly costly and problematic. Take the idea of a strawbale home to your local county building inspectors and you'll likely get a "to do" list that 'll curl your hair and change it a few shades lighter.
HERE...if you add 10 sq feet to a home...you must have a permit from the county and provide beginning and completion dates so the County Inspectors (electrical, plumbing, construction codes..eg. walls, insulation roofs, drainage, egress there are so many issues... so they can schedule "on site" visits for a "look-see" midway as well as prior to occupation. Additions to homes come with strings (read that ropes) attached...like bringing the entire structure up-to-date... eg: CODE ... as far as 1) building 2) wiring 3) plumbing 4) insulation 5 roofing ... are concerned. In other words if it ain't broke don't fix it.
County Governments nationwide are all becoming more involved in the business of construction oversight...its an enormous part of what pays their bills. They come out to inspect the property/improvements and then next year your TAX assessment end up being more.
photographer...thanks for the info. I was going to do an entrance wall to my garden with a lower wall surrounding it but we do get a lot of rain and this county has a bad reputation when it comes to building things. I don't want to get their attention so I guess I have to think of something else. Thanks again.
