So by now, fellow Reducing Remodelists [0], you should have a basic picture [0] of how a straw bale structure gets built. Or at least how a little wall in the parking lot gets built. And you know [0] that, as with other walls [0], protecting a bale wall from moisture is key, but letting it breathe – that is, letting water vapor move through your walls so that it doesn’t build up as moisture and cause rot within – is keyer. Which, with straw bale walls, generally means laying up a coat of natural plaster, usually lime [1], clay or earth [2] mixed with sand and chopped straw. (There are cement-based plasters, but cement isn’t breathable, so it isn’t a great choice for straw.)

I’ll get into the sand-and-chopped-straw details next week. For now, some quick visuals of what happens after you stack the bales: You throw a plaster party. (w00t! [3])

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