Building with Earth
(Page 5 of 6)
April/May 2002
By Dan Chiras
• New, and thus difficult to obtain ap proval from building authorities.
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CLIMATE SUITABILITY
Earth homes are suitable in a wide range of climates, even some rather wet ones. Cob, for example, does extremely well in Oregon's soggy, rainy forests and Old England's wind-battered, rain-drenched coasts.
In all earth building systems, the key to success in wet climates is to prevent the mud from being eroded away by protecting walls from rain. A well-designed roof with a suitable overhang and other design features provide adequate protection. A protective coat of lime plaster is often applied for added durability.
Most earth homes are concentrated in hot, dry climates and are suited for passive solar heating and cooling in such areas. Thick wall mass protects interiors from temperature extremes.
If earth homes have a limitation, it is cold climates. Earth is a poor insulator. However, this inadequacy can be countered by building thicker walls that retard heat flow, creating an insulation-filled cavity in the interior of the wall or applying external insulation.
DOWN TO EARTH
Although earth building is a great option, the movement is hindered by the lack of experienced and willing architects, engineers and builders.
Fortunately, the majority of earthen building techniques lend themselves to owner-builder projects. If you choose to build your own home, you'll need in Auction—a weeklong workshop, perhaps. Experiment with a small shed or a cottage before you tackle a house.
Over the years I've found there's a widespread romanticism among many natural builders, which sometimes hides the limitations or problems you may encounter. One result of this rosy outlook pan be an oversimplification of home building and an underestimation of construction costs. Although earthen wall building may be relatively simple, there's a lot more to a house than exterior walls. Roofs, plumbing, electrical wiring, interior walls and finish details require considerable skill. If you're not a competent and somewhat experienced builder, you'll need to hire professionals.
Where cost is concerned, remember that building exterior walls with earthen materials, especially if you do a lot of the work, may cost less than using conventional materials. However, exterior walls constitute only 10 percent to 15 percent of the total cost of building a house. Among other things, the full expense of a house depends on the complexity of the design, the amount of labor you supply versus construction supplied by subcontractors and the expectations you have for the finished product.
That said, it is possible to build from natural earthen materials a house that will perform well in almost any climate, providing a classy comfort and aesthetic quality unrivaled in most conventionally constructed homes. Selecting the appropriate method for your purposes and life can bring that dream home.
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