Earthbag Homes

[NEODinar]

Earthbag homes are a great alternative to traditional home building. Especially for those on a tight budget or with empty land. All you need is some basic construction knowledge a willingness to learn the method and some helping friends.

[kliklok00]

Pretty cool video. I'm a home builder by trade and have seen some neat ideas and designs over the years. The only drawback to these types of projects are the labor costs...if you do it yourself with the help of family or friends (who work free or very cheap) then it is totally doable. I've seen people use old car tires and fill them with dirt. Some have used bales of hay. People have great imaginations! Thanks for the post...

[NEODinar]

<br />Pretty cool video. I'm a home builder by trade and have seen some neat ideas and designs over the years. The only drawback to these types of projects are the labor costs...if you do it yourself with the help of family or friends (who work free or very cheap) then it is totally doable. I've seen people use old car tires and fill them with dirt. Some have used bales of hay. People have great imaginations! Thanks for the post...<br />

<br /><br /><br />

My pleasure, yeah, there are many possibilities one can explore. I have heard of of the hay bales as well and have seen some great designs. People also use rice sacks. This technology as ancient as it is ironically is just starting to catch on. Hopefully the word will spread and city officials will jump on board and not make permits and all the red tape such a hassle because these homes are literally dirt cheap and if one goes the dome route they would be great for inexpensive structurally sound homes for areas with high occurrences of natural disasters. You're right about imagination, I have seen some homes right out of the shire with living roofs and all.

[kliklok00]

I saw some houses in Europe (in the Norwegian countryside) with really thick thatch roofs. Grass grew on them during the summer, so to keep them "mowed" they would toss a goat on their roof every now and again. The goat kept things cropped nicely...pretty neat!

[NEODinar]

<br />I saw some houses in Europe (in the Norwegian countryside) with really thick thatch roofs. Grass grew on them during the summer, so to keep them "mowed" they would toss a goat on their roof every now and again. The goat kept things cropped nicely...pretty neat!<br />

<br /><br /><br />

That's awesome!! Doesn't get much greener than that. lol!

[cris]

Ever had 5 tons of dirt fall on you?.....Or how about a ton of roof?

This wouldnt pass any code requirements for structures anywhere. There are no

footings or foundation, there is no verticle or horizontal stabilizing support, barbed

wire and rebar nailed through dirt dont count. And the window and door frames and

king posts are attached to dirt.The roof structure itself is only supported

by bags of dirt, get a little wind under there and the wall will fall down.

Did you notice the dirt bags were already leaning before any cobb was applied?

What about utilities? I guess no need if its just going to be a shed....However, that

is one of the most unstable buildings I've ever seen. Dont let your children play in

there, the whole thing is exceedingly prone to collapse.

If you'd like, I can describe a way to make this building not only feasible,

but would pass inspection and would not fall down on your head.

[NEODinar]

<br />Ever had 5 tons of dirt fall on you?.....Or how about a ton of roof?<br />This wouldnt pass any code requirements for structures anywhere. There are no<br />footings or foundation, there is no verticle or horizontal stabilizing support, barbed <br />wire and rebar nailed through dirt dont count. And the window and door frames and <br />king posts are attached to dirt.The roof structure itself is only supported <br />by bags of dirt, get a little wind under there and the wall will fall down.<br />Did you notice the dirt bags were already leaning before any cobb was applied?<br />What about utilities? I guess no need if its just going to be a shed....However, that<br />is one of the most unstable buildings I've ever seen. Dont let your children play in<br />there, the whole thing is exceedingly prone to collapse.<br /><br />If you'd like, I can describe a way to make this building not only feasible,<br />but would pass inspection and would not fall down on your head.  <img src='http://dinarvets.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

Agreed, this one wouldn't pass code by any means, but it is cool non the less. Alot of people just build EB homes without pulling permits as simple structures to gather or utilize as you put it a shed. But a lot are also pulling permits and building legal EB homes with all modern amenities. As long as you build correctly you shouldn't have any problems passing code in most areas. A foundation, truss roofing, utilities etc, can all still be added for drastically less than traditional building.

[smee2]

My father was a builder. I grew up in and around construction sites. He loved nothing better than to try out a new idea in a scaled down model. But there were a lot of things you couldn't scale down. So every other summer, it seemed, we had another playhouse, enjoyed by all the neighbourhood kids.

One had a wall, south facing, that was made of bottles all turned with their bottoms to the sun and the tops towards the inside of the play 'house'. It was like having extra lights on and a heater in there extending the usefulness of the play part of the play house well into autumm.

One year he used empty pop cans on the same south facing wall, with corks cut to fit into the can opening to keep the warmed air inside. In that one we had sod roof from the year before and he wanted to see how warm it would keep the playhouse during winter. And man, we had ferocious cold winters.

The sod roof went over well and remained on the house it was originally planted on, for about seven or eight years. I had an uncle who had a farm, and a bit of a petting zoo there. It wasn't registered or anything. In those days we didn't have the red tape we have today and life was cheaper and more fun. Anyway he loaned us a couple of goats or yearling lambs to keep the roof 'cropped'. When he couldn't get the livestock to us for some reason, my mom would be up there on her hands and knees with a pair of hedge clippers cutting the roof. She put it all into a peck basket and took it to my uncle, who would invite us out to the farm for dinner. There are very good consequences in some projects. hahaha

One of the experimental bits that dad really enjoyed was putting in running water, with a drainage ditch like the Romans made, lined and covered with brick. We had a neighbour who was a master bricklayer who came and did the brickwork for a couple of beer the days he worked on it, and later in the season a few jars of mom's bread and butter pickles.

The year that dad tried the earth lodge, as described in a work of reality written by a few native Americans, he started with the part dug down but it was down about three feet and that was three feet that would never fall in. From there he put in struts and beams and basically an outline of the walls with 2x4 and 1x6 pine. It was strong enough to hold my dad, and we are talking about a man who weighed in well over 300 pounds and standing 5'9". I don't know how many times we slept out in the playhouse of the year. He always took a couple of nights to sleep there with us to show mom how safe it was. Then he made the earth lodge and it lasted through the winter so well that it was almost a permanent construction. During the first winter we spent Christmas Eve out in the playhouse waiting for Santa in sleeping bags with hay for the reindeer and milk and cookies for dad, er ... ah ... I mean ... for Santa (sorry about that). Come spring time and the place was still structurally sound and when dad couldn't get away from his work and had to stay home to work while the weather was good, if we stayed and waited to go to the cottage when he could, then we still got to spend time with him by sleeping in the Playhouse. In fact we figured out a way to get his hammock in the playhouse for him without ruining anything and wanted to surprise him. Yup, he was surprised. We did it right and had answers for all his question, except one ... how we afforded what we needed in materials, which wasn't much even then. But he got us ... he felt if we could figure out how to build, and had the funding, then we obviously had too high an allowance. Of course he was kidding.

Anyway, thanks for posting this. It has brought back a lot of memories of my dad. Anything that can do that is precious in my books.

smee2

[The Machine]

Check these out .... I'm thinking of getting one

Conctete Canvas Shelters

http://www.concretec...Brochure_UK.pdf

http://www.concretec.../Galleries.html

Edited July 16, 2012 by The Machine

[The Machine]

Check these out .... I'm thinking of getting one

Conctete Canvas Shelters

Obviously not as a house but as a shed .... may even burry one or two of them

Edited July 16, 2012 by The Machine

[cris]

<br /><br /><br />

Agreed, this one wouldn't pass code by any means, but it is cool non the less. Alot of people just build EB homes without pulling permits as simple structures to gather or utilize as you put it a shed. But a lot are also pulling permits and building legal EB homes with all modern amenities. As long as you build correctly you shouldn't have any problems passing code in most areas. A foundation, truss roofing, utilities etc, can all still be added for drastically less than traditional building.

Built correctly this would pass code.....No part of the structure can be

supported in any way by the Earth bags....

The biggest problem with these types of homes is the Labor. Kliklok mentioned

this......Its extreme, so unless you've got a lot of folks to help, or you have a lot

of time on your hands, Its an expensive proposition.

This type of building could be put together in 2 days using conventional framing

methods....finishing the outside, another 2 days....roofing, one day.

Thats 2 guys with experience doing the work.

All of this assuming starting with a foundation that meets code......With the right

type of insulation, the different structures are almost the same.

I've done some extensive research on Hay Bale Homes and Used Tire Homes

thinking they might be cheaper to build.....They arent. The problem I encountered

was the cost of the Hay & Tires.

The cost for the materials per Sq foot of wall (compared to framing) was about

3 times.....not even considering the labor.

Also, keep in mind, none of the structure can rest on any part of the Hay or Tires.

The basic house is a post and beam building (like pole barns) and dont forget,

the interior framing against the exterior walls to run Electric, Water, and to attach

Cabinets.

Like I said, I've run the numbers and a standard frame home is cheaper in terms

of Labor, Materials, & Time

[cris]

I just went back and checked the numbers.

The construction cost for a Straw Bale Home (exterior walls)

is actually 5 times the cost for the straw bale walls....this doesnt

include labor, just the straight cost per sq ft.

[The Machine]

I think mine is the best option ..... comes delivered for $2,000 can be errected by 1 - 2 people in 1 hour and is fully hardened in 24hours ..... you can even get concrete canvas matting to create a foundation

Concrete Canvas Shelters (CCS) are rapidly deployablehardened shelters that require only water and air for construction.

CCS have two major advantages over conventional tentedshelter:

Operational: CCS enable a hardened structure from day one ofan operation. They provide much better environmental protection, increased

security and vastly improved medical capability.

Financial: CCS have a design life of over 10 years, whereastents wear out rapidly and must then be replaced. CCS are a one stop solution,

saving effort and cost over the lifetime of medium to longterm operations.

The key to CCS is the use of infl ation to create a surfacethat is

optimised for compressive loading. This allows thin walledconcrete

structures to be formed which are both robust andlightweight. CCS

consist of a revolutionary cement based composite fabric(Concrete

Canvas) bonded to the outer surface of a plastic inner whichforms a

Nissen-Hut shaped structure once inflated.

The compressive structure of CCS has been modelled to becovered

with sand or earth (berming) to provide protection againstsmall arms

fi re and shell fragments.

CCS concrete shells have good thermal properties. Whenburied they

provide excellent insulation and a very large thermal mass.

CCS are far more durable than tenting with a design life ofover 10

years.

The sealed plastic inner of a CCS means it can be deliveredsterile.

Concrete Canvas (CC) is fi re-safe, does not contribute tothe surface

spread of fl ames, has a low level of smoke development andminimal

hazardous gas emissions.

CC has achieved Euroclass classificationB-s1, d0. Each shelter is lined with a fl ame retardant fibre reinforced

polyethylene inner with a B1 (DIN 4102-01 05/98) firerating.

CCS can be fi tted with a combined forced air / inflationunit and

decontamination module to provide full spectrum CBRNprotection.

The hard shell and lockable doors of a CCS provide a levelof security

not possible with soft skinned structures, protectingstores, equipment

and personnel.

CCS provide all the benefits of a permanent structurewithout the

associated cost and time delays.

[RodandStaff]

Earthbag homes are a great alternative to traditional home building. Especially for those on a tight budget or with empty land. All you need is some basic construction knowledge a willingness to learn the method and some helping friends.

Very cool alternative... and I sure their are ways to make it a little more structurally sound as discussed earlier. More alternatives need to be made available for the low income family to be able to get into a home and not be a permanent slave to rental payments... and nothing to show for it at the end. Thanks for sharing NEO.

Check these out .... I'm thinking of getting one

Conctete Canvas Shelters

http://www.concretec...Brochure_UK.pdf

http://www.concretec.../Galleries.html

I have looked into this as well.... a great emergency shelter and maybe root cellar/storm cellar type structure as well... but I'm not so sure I would wanna live in it full time... I like sunlight! I wonder if you could cut a few solar tube lights in the roof if that would weaken the structure any??? Another question for you... do you know if the whole structure can be covered with dirt??? ... that would definitely give it lots more insulation and be easier to keep cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. Lots of possibilities for this one though... I like it! Thanks for bringing it up Machine!

... this might need some modifying for this structure... but it lets in a lot of natural light "if" it would work.

Edited July 16, 2012 by RodandStaff

[The Machine]

Rod yeah I dont think i'd be living in it either but as a storage shelter or a small workshop it would be great .... you can drill the shell for services, haven't researched what size entry's are acceptable..... and as for insulation I'd just burry the thing in about 2 - 3 feet of dirt.

the solar tube lights wouldnt do much in this country lol ..... i'd probably opt for a hybrid solar lighting system that way i'd have something to fall back on, I deal with a lot of lighting manufacturers here in the uk and a couple have already agreed to retro fit a few of there fittings for me. I dont think there any industrial luminaires even on the market right now that are hybrid solar. The system in the vid below are huge but you can get more up to date versions now which are much smaller ..... or maybe I could get a bigger one and fit out all the out buildings

Here's one with some lighting in it

Edited July 16, 2012 by The Machine

[cris]

Obviously not as a house but as a shed .... may even burry one or two of them

Thats a pretty cool alternative. Not sure you could completely bury

it though....notice when they use the term Buried, they qualify it by saying

(berming) Those are two different things.

However, with berming and some sprayed on insulation, it looks like a good

one....Paint it to match the surroundings and your camouflaged from anything

but very close inspection.

I can picture a finished product that blends in perfectly with the local terrain

and vegetation....It might be possible to set it partially underground as well.

maybe into a hillside.....I'd have to see the specs for it.....one big advantage

is that its waterproof.

Edited July 16, 2012 by cris

[The Machine]

I think with a small bit of internal bracing it would take the weight of a foot or 2 of soil ..... i'd have to do the calculations ....but not right now, just home from work about to have dinner maybe later if i have the time

[randalln]

I think with a small bit of internal bracing it would take the weight of a foot or 2 of soil ..... i'd have to do the calculations ....but not right now, just home from work about to have dinner maybe later if i have the time

what you trying to do ???? go under ground ......hahahahahahah

[The Machine]

what you trying to do ???? go under ground ......hahahahahahah

yes actually I have a bit of a hill i'd like to stick 2 or 3 of these into ......

[cris]

I think with a small bit of internal bracing it would take the weight of a foot or 2 of soil ..... i'd have to do the calculations ....but not right now, just home from work about to have dinner maybe later if i have the time

I could see some braced panels or plates doing the trick. wouldnt

want the brace to puncture through the wall.

Not sure what soil weighs per pound, you might want to check

those loads with wet soil though. obviously you'd want some good

water diversion around it as well.

[joekooltrips]

This is cool stuff right here, thx to all for sharing .

[NEODinar]

<br />Built correctly this would pass code.....No part of the structure can be <br />supported in any way by the Earth bags....<br />The biggest problem with these types of homes is the Labor. Kliklok mentioned<br />this......Its extreme, so unless you've got a lot of folks to help, or you have a lot<br />of time on your hands, Its an expensive proposition.<br />This type of building could be put together in 2 days using conventional framing<br />methods....finishing the outside, another 2 days....roofing, one day.<br />Thats 2 guys with experience doing the work.<br />All of this assuming starting with a foundation that meets code......With the right <br />type of insulation, the different structures are almost the same.<br />I've done some extensive research on Hay Bale Homes and Used Tire Homes<br />thinking they might be cheaper to build.....They arent. The problem I encountered<br />was the cost of the Hay & Tires.<br />The cost for the materials per Sq foot of wall (compared to framing) was about<br />3 times.....not even considering the labor.<br />Also, keep in mind, none of the structure can rest on any part of the Hay or Tires.<br />The basic house is a post and beam building (like pole barns) and dont forget,<br />the interior framing against the exterior walls to run Electric, Water, and to attach <br />Cabinets.<br />Like I said, I've run the numbers and a standard frame home is cheaper in terms<br />of Labor, Materials, & Time<br />

<br /><br /><br />

I'm not familiar with hay bale building so I can't comment on that. Although you may need to buttress or add additional supports to pass code, it is not needed for structural support at all. Also since the bags can be formed into dome shapes, there is no need for traditional roofing at all. Earthbag homes built in dome shapes without additional lumber reinforcement have been standing the tests of time for centuries. there are ancient domes still standing from over a thousand years ago and the dome is universally recognized as one of if not the strongest building structures. I disagree about labor. 5 inexperienced friends can erect the framing in less than a week. No need to hire a contractor at all if one can follow basic plans and doesn't mind getting dirty. The little embodied labor needed for EB building is where one can save a lot of money plus the material costs are much lower. Cost and time are both lower than traditional methods when you're talking finished product. Also earthbag homes, when built properly are much stronger, more element resistant, and greener/more eco friendly than lumber framing. of course it all depends on one's personal objectives and goals, but *** for tat, EB is less expensive and less labor intensive for DIYers.

[kliklok00]

Ever had 5 tons of dirt fall on you?.....Or how about a ton of roof?

This wouldnt pass any code requirements for structures anywhere. There are no

footings or foundation, there is no verticle or horizontal stabilizing support, barbed

wire and rebar nailed through dirt dont count. And the window and door frames and

king posts are attached to dirt.The roof structure itself is only supported

by bags of dirt, get a little wind under there and the wall will fall down.

Did you notice the dirt bags were already leaning before any cobb was applied?

What about utilities? I guess no need if its just going to be a shed....However, that

is one of the most unstable buildings I've ever seen. Dont let your children play in

there, the whole thing is exceedingly prone to collapse.

If you'd like, I can describe a way to make this building not only feasible,

but would pass inspection and would not fall down on your head.

I agree...it wouldn't pass code (at least not here in Texas) and I would never agree to build one of these for anyone...but it is a neat idea.

Over the years I've had quite a few people hire me to "fix" issues they've run into while building their homes. Most didn't hire a general contractor (that is what I do) thinking it would be easy to build their home...sort of like the folks who built this dirt house. Anyway, one of the projects I took on involved blocks made out of styrofoam and concrete. Each block resembled a typical 8"x12" cinder block, only they were 24" x 36" (and 18" deep). The guy stacked them like you would stack brick...but if you don't know how to stack brick properly you end up in trouble sooner or later. Long story short, the house is very well insulated, but by the time you get the inner walls framed out (for electric and some plumbing), you end up spending 3x's the money vs. a conventional structure.

[TexasGranny]

You guys sound pretty solid on the construction trade stuff. Know most will not agree, but I wouldn't trade my log cabin for all the brick and mortar, stucco, or wood frame homes out there. My electric bills have never been so low, the insulation factor is amazing - mind you I am in Texas and we just went through a stretch of 100 degree days and my electric cost only increased $20 a month - still less than 1/3 of my previous home.

Just my

Oh BTW, I completed the interior of my home myself even to planing the wood for my window trims, which are trimmed out in red aromatic cedar. No sheet rock anywhere in my home - walls are all ponderosa pine planks installed on 45degree angles (all cut and installed by me) with white aspen ceilings. Oh and no living trees were cut down for my logs. They were all harvested from dead standing pine up north which also makes my home "green".

[nstoolman1]

Nice TG. You posted just before me.

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