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Frequently Asked Questions
*What are SIC’s? SIC stands for
“Straw-bales Integrated with Columns.”
*What are the advantages of using straw bales?
* What about the big bad wolf and the three pigs?
* Are other floor plans available?
* What about Electrical?
*Is plumbing run in straw bale walls?
* What kind of foundation is required?
* What is included in the packages?
* Do you just sell the framing system, so we can get our own straw and do it all ourselves?
*Can I buy just the Construction blueprints, manuals or plans?
* What about local zoning for urban areas and Home Owner Associations that require a certain type of look, materials, textures, and color on a buildings?
*What if we want different sized windows or doors than any of your options allow?
*How do you keep the straw bales from getting wet?
*What does Stucco Ready mean?
*What is the lead-time?
*What are SICs? SIC stands for “Straw-bales Integrated wtih Columns.”
They create structural support, sheer strength and ease of building with straw bales. The three types of SICs used are: Sheer Corners, Sheer Walls, and various sizes of Window and Door Bucks. The vertical members of the W/D Bucks have been designed as Posts. This SIC "Kit" can be combined with Straw Bales to your desired design specifications to create a variety of floor plans.
*What are the advantages of using straw bales?
“Green product” it is an ecological way of building by using an annually renewable product. This creates affordability when designed right. The insulation and sound suppression (ie: wind, traffic) gives a quiet feeling. Aesthetics and the massive solid feel are noticed with the curved, deep, plastered window sills, kind of like an old world feel. Bale buildings have a history that dates back to the early 1900”s.
* What about the big bad wolf and the three pigs?
I know what our staff and our eager crew would say to that big bad wolf... “Bring it!" These building kits are built to last. They will meet or exceed local building codes. These buildings are sealed and water tight from the floor to the ceiling with a minimum of
1-½” of plaster over the straw. This also keeps rodents and insects out.
* Are other floor plans available?
What is nice about our Kits is that you can rearrange the floor plan to meet your personal needs, or you can work from our standard floor plans. For example, you can move the Window/Door Bucks, Interior Walls or Corners to your desired locations. We will be glad to work with you to create your ideal floor plan. For an additional fee, we can do a custom design, if desired.
* What about Electrical?
All wiring within or on bale walls shall meet all provisions of the local Electrical Code. We can provide electrical raceways and install electrical boxes in the wall system.
*Is plumbing run in straw bale walls?
No. As with conventional framing, running plumbing in exterior walls is not recommended. Water pipes set in exterior walls are at a much higher risk of freezing. Piping is run through interior walls to their required locations.
* What kind of foundation is required?
The foundation can consist of a concrete slab or continuous concrete stem wall with a crawl space or full basement, with I-Joist and decking depending on your site specifications. The straw bale wall system will be secured and mounted to the wood floor decking. A plan for the type of foundation you select is provided with the kit package purchase.
* What is included in the packages?
The kit includes all of the materials required to construct a weather tight shell on your foundation: hardware, fasteners, anchor bolt locations, Structural Supporting Wall System, posts, beams, Stucco Ready Window & Door Bucks (with or without the windows installed), stubbed out interior walls for a plaster stop, sheathing, metal roof, flashing, drip edge, and inside sub-trim. All materials are hand selected, carefully cut to precise dimensions, labeled, and packaged in easily identifiable bundles that two people can carry.
Additional options are available for an extra cost, such as; higher grade doors or windows, cedar trim for around openings, shingles (as opposed to a metal roof), reinforced nylon tenting for protection, stairs, dormers, higher ceilings, a second floor, exposed timber / log post and beam, solar power, solar heating system, etc...
* Do you just sell the framing system, so we can get our own straw and do it all ourselves?
Yes. You can purchase our structural supporting wall system, such as modified window and door bucks, outside corners and interior wall stub outs, all of building components are stucco ready, this will also come with a set of 2 blueprints, and then you can supply the straw and trusses yourself. Our post and beam system is specifically designed around a bale sized at
14" high x 19" wide x 39” long.
You can get your roof system and windows and doors locally once you have the truss detail and W/D schedule that are included with your blueprints.
*Can I buy just the Construction blueprints, manuals or plans?
No. Blueprints and plans are only available as part of a building kit package. They describe in detail the locations of the individual parts that have been made for your specific building.
* What about local zoning codes for urban areas or Home Owner Associations that require a certain type of look, materials, textures, and color on a building?
There are certainly ways to work around requirements such as this. For example, we can add a sub-trim so that siding can be easily installed. Rock or stone can even be added to break up different textures. Stucco comes in many different colors and textures. Talk to us about your specific needs and we can help provide you with some ideas.
*What if we want different sized windows or doors than any of your options allow?
We can make custom sizes that are prepped and are stucco ready in accordance with your particular design, for an additional cost.
*How do you keep the straw bales from getting wet?
It is all about prevention: having the bales protected before they are placed into the walls and before they are plastered. We have created a fast framing assembly that is stucco ready to get the bales integrated into the post & beam columns quickly and to encase the bales in a water tight shell as soon as possible. Included in your Kit is a nylon, reinforced clear tenting material for you to use to protect the straw before it is plastered. This will also protect the stucco from excessive wind and cold.
*What does Stucco Ready mean?
The window and door bucks will be wrapped with a moisture barrier and, if you choose, can also have the windows and doors installed. They will already be taped and masked with 6 mil clear plastic. The exterior of the bucks will be trimmed out with casing bead and expansion and control joints, with a choice of bringing the stucco to the window or to a cedar trim wrapped around the window. The interior will also be masked and wrapped with 3” trim. The lath will be attached to the frames with a 6” lap that will later be pinned to the straw bales.
*What is the lead-time?
Shoot us a call or e-mail us for current lead times. Depending on whether you order individual components or a full Kit, the lead time can vary from 7 to 10 working days to 3 to 5 weeks. Obviously a whole Kit takes longer because there are choices that you as the purchaser must make in regards to the dimensions and layout of the shell. We can deliver your products to you before you have your building permits in hand, but keep in mind that you must have any required permits lined up prior to constructing the kit on your site.
*How are the shell kits shipped? What does shipping cost? What about unloading?
We can have the kit shipped through a private carrier. Private carriers have competitive prices and are priced by the freight on board. Prices typically range from $500 up to $3000 depending on fuel prices and location. Some areas may cost more. We will be glad to provide you with a shipping quote.
The purchaser will need four adults to help unload the truck.
You also have the option of making your own arrangements for delivery, if you would rather.
"I really wanted vertical old barn siding to go with that old Iowa feel, but I didn't want to hear the howling winds. I'm so glad I was able to encase a natural product behind my siding". E.W.
