Strawbales, p5
Applying Welded-Wire Mesh
The purpose of the welded wire mesh is mainly structural. It prevents the walls from racking, just as sheathing does on a framed wall (we also used Simpson wall brace strapping for redundancy). The mesh also supports the shape of the curves around the doors and windows, and may lend some strength to the plaster. To shape the wall over a door or window we stapled a piece of welded-wire mesh to the bottom of the header and, taking advantage of the natural curve of the mesh, stapled the other end to the ceiling joist blocking above. The space within the mesh was then stuffed with straw from the side using an ax handle or piece of PVC pipe, providing compaction. The result was a pleasing curve that allows more light into the structure than a traditional square corner.
Window and door openings shaped, meshed, and stitched.
The sides of the doors and windows were shaped with the chain saw into a curve. Mesh was then attached, floor to ceiling, and any gaps were stuffed with straw from the sides using the ax handle or pipe. Once the desired shape was achieved, baling twine was run through the wall and back, capturing the mesh on both sides, and tied off. This process of "bale stitching" was repeated hundreds of times. Details on making a bale needle may be found on the Tools page of the Details section.