Last year was a really bad straw year and we were worried about not getting any but asking around did the job again. We found straw bales from a person in Joensuu who had thought to built a straw bale garage but then did not (for our luck). He had harvested them a few summers ago when it was a good straw year and they were kept well. We collected about 280 of them last autumn and 111 more this spring with a van and trailer and stored them in our shed. But they are way too loose for building a house so they needed to be re-baled.
The re-baling was really fast and went very well. There was four of us doing it.
We brought 391 loose bales and re-baled them into 156 tight bales. So 2.5 loose bales into one tight bale. We need in total 360 tight bales for the house so we still need to pick up 500 loose ones and re-bale them. In good weather of course.
Memories of the thrashing when I was young
ReplyDeleteThis was such a great behind-the-scenes look at a crucial but often overlooked part of sustainable building. Re-bailing straw bales might sound straightforward, but your post highlights just how much effort, care, and strategy go into getting it right. It’s impressive to see your commitment to quality and longevity in every step of the process. The fact that you’re willing to take the time to fix, re-bale, and ensure each piece fits perfectly speaks volumes about your dedication to building something truly solid and sustainable. It’s hands-on, earthy work with real purpose. If you ever decide to bring in some professional help for additional phases of the project, R for Remodelers would be a great partner. They specialize in creative, eco-conscious renovations with an eye for craftsmanship. Looking forward to following more of your progress!
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