Earthbag House for $5,000?

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by Motomom34, Feb 3, 2016.


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  1. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I am quite interested in this. The instructions seem simple and this could be built quite cheaply, though unsure if it could be done for $5,000. Loved the pictures and really thought these people were smart until I saw that last picture. IMO one mistake they made was not putting a pitch on the roof. I do not think it would have complicated things that much had they raised the center so the snow melt ran off.

    upload_2016-2-3_11-6-35.

    An Earthbag Round House For Less Than $5,000
     
    stg58, Asia-Off-Grid and HK_User like this.
  2. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Yes they certainly have somethings to learn and Mother Nature will gladly teach them!
     
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  3. VHestin

    VHestin Farm Chick

    Being a snow country person, I could NEVER understand flat roofs. And yes, Nature always has the last laugh at us humans thinking we are so smart...
     
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  4. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    I think if I were going to go that route, I would just go with something like a Monolithic Dome House. With that flat roof, I would feel as though I were living in a water tank.
     
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  5. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    "Ropes in wall are to tie down joists when we put the roof on."

    Not too sure I like ropes and joists.
     
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  6. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    A Texas based company.
     
  7. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    And no concrete foundation thus heaving of the walls is likely in freezing temps, not to mention the insulation factor of the dirt walls is just about nil.
     
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  8. techsar

    techsar Monkey+++

    Don't think it would hold up too well to heavy rain or hurricane-force winds, either...
    Circular construction is going to waste a good deal of space due to the nature of square furniture, too ;)
     
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  9. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Rounds not bad except in the very small styles. Most folks pick out furniture that fits there home anyway, same for round homes or geodesics. If they are larger enough the interior walls accept standard stick home styles.

    I live in one.
     
  10. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    Ditto, I don't know the frost depth in their area; however, your point is excellent. They seem to be depending on the weight of the 80# bags and the dirt. I wouldn't as Mother Nature is a very strong lady.

    X2 on a good catch.
     
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  11. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    @HK_User
    Slow down with the likes, it was me who liked yours! ;)
     
  12. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Yup but it showed you did some research.
     
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  13. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    @HK_User
    Got me and that was a keeper. :ROFLMAO:

    As I am curious, I always do research.
     
  14. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    And least I forget, The stove pipe is way too short.
     
  15. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    So the earthbags/dirt will not hold in the heat? Yes, I know when frost gets in the ground that it takes a while to leave but if you are heating inside wouldn't the inside walls hold the heat?
     
  16. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Insulation factor is basically the ability or inability of a product to prevent heat transfer/energy in either direction.

    So dirt will rapidly transfer heat into or out of the home.

    OTOH Mass will collect and be a heat storage/collector or a cold storage depending on what you are trying to heat or cool.
     
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  17. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    FWIW, this is a better choice for a home built structure. JMHO

    xls said:
    There is also the fee option of tire constructed homes, tire center just give them away. And it offers a lot of defensive options.
    Sure and what most do not know is that the tires are filled first with a rammed earth inside the tire, then the tire is layed in place and more rammed earth fills the center. A whole lot of time and labor as well as material aka dirt, that takes time to collect and mix.
    HK>>>>
    Rammed earth
    tire structure would be the least expensive and the most labor intensive, but IF I had to rebuild then that is what I would have. With re-bar at each layer and then vertical placed re-bar. Each tire would be tied to the tires above, below and the ones next to it.. Lath work and concrete for the inside and outside, no ditzy thin layer of sand, air and thin cement mix for me aka stucco.

    [img id="yui_3_10_0_1_1454624313742_1689" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AmmDnnMutP8/TClUW9q5cHI/AAAAAAAAANM/SAU9OZlo7qg/s1600/DSCN0205.jpg" alt="BRIDGES: Earth Tire Construction with Long Way Home">
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Note the "Concrete Beam" on this design below. This Concrete Beam is the key in any structure of this type that provides a strong connector for the wall structure and for the roof. This type "Concrete Beam" should also be used in any concrete block building.
    [img id="yui_3_10_0_1_1454624313742_2270" src="https://es-media-prod.s3.amazonaws....ef1a2ada/e8bd8c0bc6dc45e899281212bb4d25bf.png" alt="Cronk Earthship ( house), rammed earth, passive solar">
     
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  18. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    My experience with tires (in a range backstop) was ungood. The DEP forced the club to remove and dispose of them "properly" meaning re-cycle. This was Massachusetts. Be guided accordingly.
     
  19. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Yup a lot of states have special rules on tires and you need to be sure they can be used.
    As I recollect, out west in the tire home capitol of the US, they passed some special building codes that allowed tires when they are part of a "SEALED" architect's design.

    Here is one example of an experienced designer.
    Touch the Earth Ranch
     
  20. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    While I agree in conservation, I don't really consider myself a "greenie". But, it seems like to me, any government should be willing to let people have used tires for this type of construction. It's a damned sight better than burning them, like they used to do when I was a kid.
     
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