Construction Type Definitions

Standard Frame Construction
(also known as Light Frame Construction):
The traditional and most familiar method of home construction in North America. This system utilizes closely spaced and sheathed members of dimensional lumber to form a skeleton-like framework for walls, roof, etc.

Strawbale Construction:
A relatively new form of construction developed in the 1800's by Nebraska settlers utilizing stacked bales of straw, waterproofed with earth-based or cement based plasters. The aesthetics of the thick walls, along with very high insulation values have made this a popular alternative to standard frame construction. Most strawbale homes are being built with some form of post and beam structural framing, but a few states are now allowing all strawbale load bearing designs.

Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS):
A High-Tech system of pre-fabricated, load-bearing, highly insulated panels that "snap" together. Panels are made from a sandwich of two pieces of plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), or straw board, with a 4 to 8 inch thick foam core.

Adobe:
A traditional and very durable form of earth block construction made from an earth and straw mix poured wet into formwork, and dried in the sun. Commonly used in warmer and drier climates, some very large adobe structures date back to the 15th. century. If used in colder climates, an extra insulation layer is added to meet modern energy requirements.

Rammed Earth:
A construction technique using earth rammed into a 6 to 8 inch thick formwork. As each form is filled, the form is removed and reused for the next section of wall. The surface of rammed earth holds up well in colder environments, but and extra insulation layer is often needed to meet modern energy requirements.