FAQs - Straw Bale Construction

What is the Bale Dipping method?

Bale dipping is a recent technique developed by Tom Rijven in France and which Eco Design Architects first experimented with in 2004 and have been using ever since. It involves the dipping of  the bales in a clay slip which consists predominantly of clay and sand. It is highly recommended, as it helps solve some of the issues traditionally experienced with straw bale construction. The most significant advantage is all the time it saves in the pre plastering of the walls, a process that normally takes considerable effort. The walls are also immediately better protected against any risk from fire and moisture during construction. Furthermore these straw bale walls are of a much more solid and stable nature. One is able to get the base coat to penetrate a good 70mm or so into the surface of the bale with a minimum of effort.

For more detailed and technical information regarding this process, please refer to our construction  and info manuals. Click here for the manuals.