Straw bale insulation is a growing trend as homeowners move to more sustainable building methods, says Jeremy Pastic, who has made that the cornerstone of his new business.

Pastic says he wants to focus on “natural construction techniques” which create less waste and are more environmentally friendly.

His business, Karma Hammer, is an applicant for a $5,000 grant from the Starter Company Plus program. The business started in May and he’s hired one employee, so far, doing jobs through word of mouth.

Pastic calls the insulation method “a new way of insulating your walls.” He and one other builder are the only ones doing it in Peterborough, he says.

Straw is an “absolutely incredible” insulator, he says, noting it also stores carbon, something that climate science is supporting.

Unlike hay, straw consists of the dead stalks of crops which have limited uses and are often considered agricultural waste, he notes.

“In Ontario there is enough straw wasted to build every home as a straw-bale home,” he said.

Straw also has little nutritional value and “pests have almost zero interest in it.”

And there is an increasing demand for “natural building” methods which encourage sustainability and reduce waste. Though Pastic says straw bale isn’t for everybody.

The home must be built so there is extra room in the walls for the bales, and it can be more difficult to make renovations with it.

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