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Rebekah
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:21pm
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Hello Cabin world!
We are building a hobbit home, copying the method we've seen of a family in Wales (google search woodland hobbit home, it'll be on of the first hits!) do. Using straw for the walls and stucco for the seal.
Who has experience doing these and can give us some tips?
Right now we aren't sure what to do for a vapor barrier. And a lot of the small technicalities that haven't become problems yet 
All feedback/ideas will be much appreciated. Thanks!!!
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Martian
Member
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:14pm
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There is no vapor barrier used with straw bale construction. The stucco adheres to the end grain of the straw as well as the wire mesh attached over the bales.
There is a tremendous amount of information on this type of construction available. Google is your friend.
Tom
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Rebekah
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2012 03:52pm
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Thank you! Yes google is my friend also quite overwhelming.. there's a LOT of different ideas out there! So no vapor barrier is needed for the walls then? The stucco itself is a sort of barrier?
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Martian
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2012 05:10pm
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Rebekah, I'm sure it can be overwhelming when you start looking at all the information available. I would look for posting by people that have blogged about their build.
I looked at using the straw bale method when I built my cabin, but straw bales weren't readily available, and the wheat harvest was several months away. So, while I have done a lot of reading and observed one being built, I've never built one myself. I have no doubt there are pitfalls to be avoided, and techniques that need to be mastered. Try to find a narrative from someone who is building/has built in a similiar climate to yours. I know I spent a lot of time narrowing my Google searches down to relevant information.
Good luck.
Tom
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jackcon
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2012 11:48am
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Quoting: Martian There is no vapor barrier used with straw bale construction. The stucco adheres to the end grain of the straw as well as the wire mesh attached over the bales.
What size wire mesh are you talking about using here?
Stainless Steel?
Would a 4 x 4 wire mesh work here?
I was going to ask these guys for a sample http://www.bwire.com/ of the 4 x 4 wire mesh and use it for the bales.
Also, what is the best way to fasten it when using wire mesh for the bales? Screws and washers?
Thanks.
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Martian
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2012 12:41pm
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Around the windows, you use a fine stucco mesh. For the field, most use chicken wire. To attach it, you push wires through the bales and then back out, forming a "U", and wrap the ends around the chicken wire. Make sure the wire tails are pointing towards the bales to keep from having them stick out through the stucco.
I think it would be easier to attach the wires to the inside wire around the bale as you stack the walls.
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