Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | May 19, 2000 02:17pm | #11

   *
   Can anyone tell me where I can find information on prefabricated round roof systems for my home design? We are planning to build a round straw-bale house and we thought that we might be able to find a new or used roof system of the type you see on grain silos. There must be information out there about silo roofs and the snow loads they provide, and there must also be a forum somewhere that farmers can sell used silos and we can salvage the roof. If you have any information on round roofs new or used please respond to this request. Thank you.

1. 
   Guest_ | May 18, 2000 12:23am | #1

   *You might look here, there's a old barn section somewhere in here + tons of other useful ag info. Maybe even a long deal on straw? Joe Hhttp://talk.agriculture.com/toptalkindex.html

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   Guest_ | May 18, 2000 01:29am | #2

   *Rebecca,There is a company by the name of Del-Tec Homes (I'm pretty sure the spelling is correct) that sells prefab circular home kits, with a roof similar to what you describe. I believe it is a proprietary system with mono pitch trusses connected to a hub in the center allowing for a clear span ceiling. I'm sure a quick search on that name would yield some results.Tom

1. 
   Guest_ | May 18, 2000 03:07am | #3

   *Rebecca:Welcome to America! In America, unlike third world countries, we build homes out of wood, concrete, stone, or brick. Straw is great for bedding or even to feed livestock but not much to live in.-Ryan C, American

1. 
   Guest_ | May 18, 2000 06:13am | #4

   *Hi Tommy, we searched Del-Tec homes and it yeilded nothing, but what you had to say interests us. Any other suggestions on the name of the business? Where did you hear about them?Scot (Rebecca's husband)

2. 
   Guest_ | May 18, 2000 06:33am | #5

   *Rebecca, Try this link. This company has roofs from 8' to 36' in diameter.DOME ROOFS

3. 
   Guest_ | May 18, 2000 04:38pm | #6

   *Rebecca, many old ice houses are round, you might get some ideas for something by searching them out? Joe H

4. 
   Annie_Fitt | May 19, 2000 02:11am | #7

   *Ryan, you ARE kidding, aren't you?

5. 
   Guest_ | May 19, 2000 03:29am | #8

   *I hope so.

6. 
   Guest_ | May 19, 2000 03:52am | #9

   *Annie, Dan:It was tongue in cheek but, not I'm not kidding that straw is a bad building material. I've seen some of the ridiculous news groups dedicated to this silly idea and it's just silly.I admit to not being an expert in straw bale construction, I've never actually seen it done (if it ever has been) All I have to go on is the "never owned an hammer" crowd's uninformed opinions on the subject. So, I could be wrong but I think I'll continue to live in a house that's not only time tested but also engineered, manufacturer researched, building code approved, contractor tested, and proven to work.

7. 
   Guest_ | May 19, 2000 04:19am | #10

   *Ryan, you silly boy, dig out your past issues of Fine Homebuilding and read the article starting on page 74, July 1996, #103, titled, "Building a Straw-Bale House".Also, here's a link from '96 (I didn't check to see if it was still active) with straw-bale info.STRAW-BALE

8. 
   Guest_ | May 19, 2000 02:17pm | #12

   *"straw house herbals", "earth ships"...good stuff!I especially liked this linkb "Have you hugged your tree today?"