Dear Straw-bale Group,
I have just returned to the US after 8 years of
designing and facilitating straw-bale construction projects in Mongolia and
China. It was fun and it made an impact, especially in China where a 1000
house project is on the drawing board. Now that I am back, though, I am
facing some entirely new problems -- or at least problems that are new to
me.
I am currently working on the development of
a kit/prefab (everything in a box but the bales) straw-bale home and
the questions of insurance and finance have come up. These are entirely
new questions to me. We just didn't have that stuff on the steppes of
Outer Mongolia. At any rate, I am hoping some good folks in this group
will provide me with a few contacts for both financing and insurance
options. I need to get in contact with national companies or at least
companies that service New England.
One more thing: Since the homes are targeted
for sale in New England and the snow belt, we will be looking at options other
than stucco/cement exterior finishes. Are there any examples of shiplap or
vinyl siding over bales? We are considering blowing the bales with at
least an inch of mud prior to the traditional exterior.
Thanks for your kind help,
Scott Christiansen
East Milton,
Maine
