I built a cape cod style straw bale home in 2012. The interior walls are completely finished with a gypsum plaster and clay paint. The exterior however has been in the first coat adobe phase for nearly 9 years! It’s sad, I know and I feel shame every time I pull up and see it. I also have no desire to do anymore plastering, another sad fact. Fortunately I have not had any issues with rodents or insects, I am in the SE USA. The main level of the house has the sb exterior walls, the second level gable ends are conventional construction and have a hardi board exterior. I am considering doing a board and bat vertical siding over the outdoor bale walls. I feel leaving a 4” air gap would keep the bales happy and maybe even improve the insulative properties of the wall. I also like the durability factor as it will better protect the walls from sunlight, wind, and physical hits by furniture and such. The house has a complete wrap around porch so moisture has never been an issue. So I was just wondering if there is anything I am missing that would make this a not so great idea. I am planning on using rough sawn and planing it myself to halp reduce the cost.
