Hello, Nelly! I finished first coat on exterior and interior walls. But second coat is very challenging. Partly I tried on the exterior wall. I experienced cracks. How did you get through the problem of cracks? You bathroom looks very creative! Did you use bricks for walls partly? At 6:26, how did you make different colors of walls? And I would like to hear more about your work at 6:46 and making shower booth at 7:07, and so on. With warm greetings from Korea!
@cbmst1 Thank you, Nelly! Now is wintertime. So it is cold and freezing. Earth work became more difficult. I plan to start second coat after making warm inside of house.
Do it yourself is very challenging. At 7:05 you put the tiles by
yourself. Is it possible? In case of some walls of bathroom. you did not
put the tiles. How did you finish this walls? I would like to hear more about the procedure of making shower booth area. Your advice became very helpful last year. Happy new year!
I taught myself to tile, so you can too! Tools you need:tile saw w/good blade, bag of spacers, lg. sponge, 5 gal bucket for water, toothed trowel. Watch "How to tile" videos. Map pattern according to area before starting which takes some math/layout design on floor if that helps. As for west wall in this shower, I'm afraid I improvised so much I don't have exact recipe. I did use concrete in mix w/LOTS of silica sand to make it like flagstone where it dries quickly after getting wet.Good Luck!
@cbmst1 Thank you, Nelly! Now I am studying how to tile. I watched "how to tile" videos. I also went to tile stores to find out tiles we want. Did you tile some walls with mosaic tiles? How did you tile the kitchen area? Last week I started to plaster inside walls. I think we need good quality of straw to make good effect on the wall. How did you break the straw? How was the size of the straw you cut?
I used individual mosaic tiles for trimming out edges (6:31 btm of yellow & purple walls & 6:44 where tile meets wall) & for top of partition (6:46) in master bathroom. I like look & feel of these glass tiles, but thin so did not use where I needed toughness. Only single row of tiles as back splash in kitchen (7:56), otherwise no other tile. Dry straw important. Used chipper shredder (2:40) set to fine cut, 3/4"-1 1/2" (2:14) & screen out "knuckles", seed hulls. Good luck plastering!
Love your house but I'm wondering how big your second floor/loft is? I really want to build an earthbag home but need a second floor because of my family and specific needs for storage. Earthbags are much greener than my alternative, which would be a monolithic dome. However, I'm not sure how feasible it is to create a full second floor in an earthbag home. Any thoughts?
Loft is approx. 16 X 8 & closet approx 36 sq. ft. It's my 6'4" son's bedroom. He loves it! Back of closet is for storage. Highly recommend a loft! Bags for second story were filled w/scoria only (no earth/sand mix) to keep load bearing weight down. Works as more insulative than mass. Had to use curtains (hemmed at an angle) on a rod for door/privacy which has been fine. Stairs to loft were a challenge to figure out, but very happy w/spiral stairs though not to "code", a little tighter angle.
@cbmst1 This sounds great but I may be forced to build a monolithic dome or rammed earth home to accommodate. I've got two boys, a girlfriend and her son that will be moving in with me. That's three boys. I would have to build several pods or find another option to build an entire second floor. I'm going to do an internship with calearth next year so we'll see what they recommend. :)
Hey Nelly, Would you consider posting an audio commentary version of this video, with you show piecing your handcrafted artwork around the house. Like at scenes 3:10 or the tiles at 5:54 of your movie and what inspired you to create them. Thanks again for all your contribution to like minded people.
Will look into commentary with this video as I know there are photos which could use some explanation. Re: the creative process, if I couldn't have been inventive/creative along the way, I'd have lost the spirit because of manual labor involved. I enjoy shape/beauty/color & tried every effort to design these elements in my living space. I also like to recycle when possible which the tiles in 5:54 are, sandstone tiles from India found at a used building supply store, a great place to go.
I am looking to make a home like this with my fiance, but he doesn't think we can or even should try to do this on our own. Do you know if there are people who would contract to do this sort of thing? I am from the US.
hi, nelly! I finished stacking earthbags and making roof. Now next step is plasteirn walls. Could you expain your plastering work more in detail? For instance, how and when did you use lime with earth? Could you explain more in detail at 4:55? How dou you make differnt colors of wall? I made a serious mistake in farming big window without using post in living room. Now we are revising the frame fot this window.
Great you're building w/earth! Hang in there, always trial & error. Plaster difference at 4:55 is left side has dark umber powdered pigment in earth/sand/straw/mica mix. Right side has kaolin clay, & silica sand instead of normal sand. Make recipe depending on clay content in soil. For me, left side about 1.5p sifted earth/1p sifted sand. Right side about 1p earth/1p kaolin/1p silica sand. Also sifted straw to remove little knuckles. Hard to get smooth plaster otherwise. No lime. Good luck!
Last winter was very cold winter, but we stayed warm in this house. Had to keep curtains closed at windows all day when temp. did not get above 20 degrees. Easy to keep house 65 degrees indoors burning wood & using propane for in-floor heat. I'll use more wood this winter, keep fire going throughout day, not use as much propane since expensive. No dampness. Earth construction stays very dry, but dry climate helps. Only thing I'd do differently is insulate against ground at foundation. Cheers!
Yes, using earth bags all the way up is easier, faster and saves money. I definitely recommend doing this type of roof if the footprint is a conventional, round earth bag design where bags can safely and structurally go up to a sky dome. My design/footprint is not round and it's bigger, so I could not use this roof type.
Best so far has been Shellac (durable and tough) over other less effective coatings that I initially applied. Maybe Shellac after Linseed could work? I found Linseed alone doesn't hold up long enough.
Using natural citrus solvent to cut shellac 4:1 or 3:1, depending on consistency that you want. I think I used citrus solvent to cut linseed too, instead of turpentine.
Thank you for sharing this lovely slide show of the construction of your earthbag home. I'm considering building a two level earthbag home, with basement/entertainment room for me and my family. I managed to find one guy who's building a massive earthbag home named drdirtbag. If you haven't seen his videos I highly recommend them. Your home is truly lovely!
The post sits on footer (yes not totally round, mine are more oblong), then it's good to have 4"-5" concrete surface overhang for further stability on all sides of post. Say post is roughly 10" across at base, then the footer needs to be 18" across, so there is 4"+ of concrete surface showing on all sides of post. Don't know all the diameters of ADS drain pipe, but there are larger sizes. I used 15" pipe so only had 2"-3" surface overhang, though so far no problems, I think more is better.
Thanks for your quick answer! I have one question. What do you mean by 4-5" exposed base on all side? Do you mean 4-5" is the width of the post timber, which does not have two round parts of it by cutting?
I am very grateful for your amazing slide show. I really enjoyed it. I am curious how you set the posts for large windows. What kind of timber did you use? how is the size of the timber? How was the length of the posts? Especially I want to know more in detail how to make foot part of the posts. You seem to use used car tires for them. I also plan to make large window for our living room.
Thanks for comment. Timber is local aspen wood, cured 3 yrs, & placed on single wall ADS drainage pipe, 15"W X 12" H which is filled with concrete. Would suggest to go 24" W instead. Posts are 8" to 12" diameter at base & roughly 10' tall, 3' underground approx (make sure to treat wood against moisture & insects) & 7' above ground, with 18" bond beam on top of posts to make just over 8' walls. Trimmed windows, filling any minor gaps with insulation underneath trim. Windows rest on bags, level.
After I posted above, reevaluated what I said about 24" footer. May be overkill. Depends on post size at base. Nice to have 4-5" exposed base on all sides, though maybe you figure that out already. 15", which I'm sure is fine for my footers, in hindsight, would have gone a bit wider.
Thanks. My house is peaceful, my haven. Out-of-pocket expenses around $100/ft. A lot of my own labor is in the construction, so that is an undefined factor. I had a "builder" help me w/roof design & construction, but I ran the show. I got ideas from books, "Earthbag Building", by Hunter and Kiffmeyer, & researched a lot on the internet. Some parts to building I pondered/researched for weeks, sometimes months, like stairs to loft. Always approach creatively, then think logically. You can do it.
Hello great house and really beautiful and peaceful! Btw i was curious how much did that whole house costed?And if i choose to make a house like that in Greece who can support me with this?
Thanks. Bags are from Eagle Bag Co, or U-Line, so google mesh bags with name U-Line. There are no building codes in my county yet. I designed my house so did not have architect sign off. Good luck. I know it is not easy to prove building materials are ok. Always call an earthbag house design "adobe" or "masonry" w/officials like insurance companies & building inspectors. They know that material and don't raise eyeborow as high. Earthbag construction IS loose form adobe bricks.
Your house is my dream house and I will build one for myself... we are moving to New Mexico. Tell, me something please, I saw that you designed yours, how did you get the approval to build? Was it signed by an architect? Beautiful house!
With the materials that you used, how is the insulation? If you don't mind, what did it cost to install plumbing, electrical, HVAC, foundation, etc. ?
Earthbag design is considered thermal mass & rated as U-value instead of R-value. (Roof is R-value.) If sunny, mass works great. Flywheel effect, absorbing heat & releasing as it cools outside. Days of cold/clouds, rely on heating from inside more. Costs are combined for privacy at $125/sq. ft (incl. solar 2kW setup). Elec/plumbing (w/infloor heat) run about the same. Depends how much you do yourself. Foundation is rubble-trench in front 1/2, VERY economical. Back 1/2 is foam concrete block.
This is really great. Great selection on the materials. Where was this built? Did you have to obtain a building permit? Can this be done in other areas?
Hi and thanks. This home is on the western slope of the CO Rockies near a small town called Paonia. As of now there are no building permits required (Delta county), though plumbing and elec permits are required. This made it much easier to build my home which is the only earthbag house in the area. If this type of design is called "loose form adobe" construction , instead of earhbag construction, there is a better chance of getting it passed. Everyone scratches their head at the term "earthbag".
cbmst: I didn't mean to be insulting, it is a lovely GREEN home and one which you all certainly deserve as you clearly put a lot of loving work into it. The materials choices were wonderful. My comment was inspired from my just having watched a bunch of "tiny houses" videos before seeing your's and agreeing with and mirroring the philosophy presented. Please don't take my post as a slight. You and family are to be commended!
Lovely home but way too big for most people. I am thinking more along the lines of a sort of eco-village with one "big house" a lot smaller and less fancy than what you show there and surrounded by little hobbit like bungalows for individuals. We would share the shop, a big kitchen, and a living room in the big house but generally speaking people only need 200 to 400 square feet of private space per person (maybe less for couples.)
Some people do prefer small spaces, esp if they live simply and are outside or away from the home a lot. I believe it's about personal preference and whether communal living is appealing or not.This house with its high ceiling and massive walls works really well for me and my family and an in-home business. We aren't in each other's way. I think any living space is considered small(er) when there's no privacy to talk on the phone.
the house is beautiful is there any one who teaches hands on building like this and where did they get the bags. I have lots of questions I have been looking into earthbags for awhile this is the first one I like.
Thanks for the comment. I taught myself mostly by reading "Earthbag Building: The Tools, Tricks and Techniques" by Kaki Hunter and Donald Kiffmeyer and googling/researching a lot of information on the internet. I started with a clay model and went from there. The bags came from Eagle Bag company out of Los Angeles. They are 50 lb. red mesh, draw string potato sacks and I doubled them up. Good luck!
Bags are a mesh material and with wet mud between rows, it held great. Used only a little barbed wire in building between rows. You could do metal for upright posts, but need to anchor metal beam on top to bags somehow. We used rebar sledge hammered through wood and top row of bags 1:54. You can send me a message if you want to know more, instead of a comment, through cbmst1.
You mean, insulation"? Cooling is great, esp w/windows and doors closed during very hot time in summer. I still need to do a winter in house, which is coming up, but while working house never froze. Once sun heats walls, premise is warmth emanates inward. Heat inside will hopefully absorb into mass of walls. Takes awhile to "charge" house like in-floor heating. "Thermal mass" concept/design. How hard? Walls are a solid 22" thick, feels like adobe. Blueprint-no, not really. Best to build to site.
Tamp w/board as seen at 1:26 in video. Mix not to wet, not too dry is important. Life span-I hope for a very long time. Many indigenous houses in 3rd World countries made of adobe seem to last a long time. Red net bags are doubled up, turned inside out, end pulled tight and folded under. Netting of bags works as tensile strength w/ wet mud slurry in between rows. Can kinda see layer between bags at 4:45. Works great and why I like mesh bags instead of straight poly. Not much barbed wire needed.
Absolutely beautiful home. Im about to purchase some property in Nevada and want to do this, on a scale similar to yours. Estimated $ in doing so. Thx 4 any assistance.
Thanks. My out-of-pocket expense was roughly $100/ft. So much can change with that. I put a lot of labor into the construction myself and lost complete track of how much, so that's a huge factor if you want it to be. These kind of projects are a "labor of love" all the way. I'm very glad I did it when I did. Good luck!
Hey, beautiful home first of all. I'm curious whether or not you think it's plausible to build an earth dome sauna, as the constant heat and humidity fluctuations might prove problematic.
Key - keep dense walls breathable, so walls can always dry out. No cement stucco on outside or inside or blue board in between. Cracking of mud/plaster is biggest problem I forsee for sauna, but maybe smooth over while wet & no big deal. In my video, pinkish shower wall has silica sand in it - great for instantly drying out -so far holding up good w/wet & humidity. Freezing/thawing biggest detriment, but that's more exterior wall. Don't use straw in exposed plaster - it'll mold. Just experiment.
Add'l - As you saw, I used mesh bags instead of tight weave poly bags. I liked using mesh bags a lot, though had to double them up for strength. I believe mesh allows mud bricks to wick better & plaster is no problem to apply. Have seen no other earth structure use mesh bags, but I'd still choose mesh over white poly. Didn't have to use much barbed wire either between rows. Applied mud slurry instead & mesh acted as binder to slurry. If mud gets wet often, it just need to be able to dry out.
Hello Nelly what can i say about the house turned out fabulous...What a dream come true I'm speech less.Crazy just two days ago i was telling my boss about this house that i had a small part in building,he said know way let me see pictures well i found better this video is awesome.....I would like to drop bye one of these day to see it close up,when i get the time to come up there.if that's OK..In till then J..Valdez
Hey, Juan. It'd be great to see you next time you are in town. Probably a bit of a shock to be talking about your time helping build my place, then to actually find it on the internet and to see yourself! Thanks for the good job!
That was awsome just beautiful. I am hoping to build an earthbag home and was wondering How long it took with how many people working on it? How much did it cost? And last did you have any problems structurally like walls wanting to lean or anything like that?
Thanks. Took me 4 yrs. to build, but a lot of work was just me last 2 yrs. When I was bag building, I had 2 men who did most the stacking. Went fairly fast. Always large crews make building & plastering go quickly. My cost was/is about $100/sq. ft. A lot of $ in my roof. If you carry bags all the way up as traditional dome, though have to remain circular, is a lot less in cost. My structure is post & beam, so walls solid. 1 inner wall fell while building, but no problem to stabilize. Good luck!
I love it!!! Perspicuous. I've been looking for a round idea for my land. This is the most beautiful earthbag I've seen! It must be like living in art. I wish you were my neighbor. Well done!
Good ?! Thx. Back 1/2 of foundation is poured concrete in foam block , on concrete footer. Front 1/2 is "rubble trench foundation", red bags filled w/2"-3" stones, 3 1/2' high (.46) below grade, bottom layer laid opposite direction. Great foundation if no off-camber to building sight. Adobe floor poured on tamp dirt w/ volcanic rock as barrier. Cork floor on copper "micro" impregnated wood ("green") & plywood w/volcanic rock as moisture barrier. Master bedroom on floor joists, crawl space under.
House about 2,000 sq. ft. though hard to exactly measure round space. I was lucky there are no building codes where I live. I'm first earthbag house in area, so if there were codes in place, I'm sure I'd have to educate building authorities before building. Codes will come at some point. Glad I'm finished! Thanks for inquiry.
Thanks so much! After being rather myopic building my home for the past years, it is nice to finally step back and experience the bigger picture. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about building with earth bags. Being surrounded by adobe is really wonderful! The look and feel of the walls are usually what people notice first.
@cbmst1 I keep looking back to check on the details. As you put it, it is certainly a labour of love. I believe humans have to losse the fear of nature and live hand in hand with it, and not despite of it. Adobe helps us with this return and I very much like the idea.
I'm still trying to understand the piping in the house, water, electricity and so on. Can you give a hint?
4' crawl space under part of house (m. bedroom & baths) is where all piping for propane, water & electrics is. Gas line buried in dirt from crawl space to kitchen. Electric wiring channeled into adobe & put into drywall. 1 photo shows elec channeled w/steel banding to protect. VERY dusty to do after the fact. Advisable to map out elec so when stacking bags, put electric wiring in between grooves of bags. Need electrician on hand is only thing. Gotta get dirt over bags asap to protect from sun.
One more thing: in some pics you seem to be making an adobe floor. I figure the difficult part of it is the "recipe". If I'm right, how much of dirt, water and cement (if any) did you use?
Thx for this one too ;-)) you are indeed very patient and helpful.
These kind of projects are a "labor of love" and dedication all the way. Obviously, the more one's own man/woman hours put in, more $ to be saved. Hard to keep track of this time, nor does it matter to me. Sq. footage cost is under low-end going rate not counting off-grid solar install. The acquisition of solar rebates makes solar more affordable. Thanks for your interest!
I hope building this lovely home was not too expensive
Achbar 1 month ago
Hello, Nelly! I finished first coat on exterior and interior walls. But second coat is very challenging. Partly I tried on the exterior wall. I experienced cracks. How did you get through the problem of cracks? You bathroom looks very creative! Did you use bricks for walls partly? At 6:26, how did you make different colors of walls? And I would like to hear more about your work at 6:46 and making shower booth at 7:07, and so on. With warm greetings from Korea!
peacemaker32able 2 months ago
@peacemaker32able
I messaged you.
cbmst1 2 months ago
@cbmst1 Thank you, Nelly! Now is wintertime. So it is cold and freezing. Earth work became more difficult. I plan to start second coat after making warm inside of house.
Do it yourself is very challenging. At 7:05 you put the tiles by
yourself. Is it possible? In case of some walls of bathroom. you did not
put the tiles. How did you finish this walls? I would like to hear more about the procedure of making shower booth area. Your advice became very helpful last year. Happy new year!
peacemaker32able 1 month ago
I taught myself to tile, so you can too! Tools you need:tile saw w/good blade, bag of spacers, lg. sponge, 5 gal bucket for water, toothed trowel. Watch "How to tile" videos. Map pattern according to area before starting which takes some math/layout design on floor if that helps. As for west wall in this shower, I'm afraid I improvised so much I don't have exact recipe. I did use concrete in mix w/LOTS of silica sand to make it like flagstone where it dries quickly after getting wet.Good Luck!
cbmst1 1 month ago
@cbmst1 Thank you, Nelly! Now I am studying how to tile. I watched "how to tile" videos. I also went to tile stores to find out tiles we want. Did you tile some walls with mosaic tiles? How did you tile the kitchen area? Last week I started to plaster inside walls. I think we need good quality of straw to make good effect on the wall. How did you break the straw? How was the size of the straw you cut?
peacemaker32able 1 month ago
I used individual mosaic tiles for trimming out edges (6:31 btm of yellow & purple walls & 6:44 where tile meets wall) & for top of partition (6:46) in master bathroom. I like look & feel of these glass tiles, but thin so did not use where I needed toughness. Only single row of tiles as back splash in kitchen (7:56), otherwise no other tile. Dry straw important. Used chipper shredder (2:40) set to fine cut, 3/4"-1 1/2" (2:14) & screen out "knuckles", seed hulls. Good luck plastering!
cbmst1 3 weeks ago
Love your house but I'm wondering how big your second floor/loft is? I really want to build an earthbag home but need a second floor because of my family and specific needs for storage. Earthbags are much greener than my alternative, which would be a monolithic dome. However, I'm not sure how feasible it is to create a full second floor in an earthbag home. Any thoughts?
rawmark 5 months ago
Loft is approx. 16 X 8 & closet approx 36 sq. ft. It's my 6'4" son's bedroom. He loves it! Back of closet is for storage. Highly recommend a loft! Bags for second story were filled w/scoria only (no earth/sand mix) to keep load bearing weight down. Works as more insulative than mass. Had to use curtains (hemmed at an angle) on a rod for door/privacy which has been fine. Stairs to loft were a challenge to figure out, but very happy w/spiral stairs though not to "code", a little tighter angle.
cbmst1 5 months ago
@cbmst1 This sounds great but I may be forced to build a monolithic dome or rammed earth home to accommodate. I've got two boys, a girlfriend and her son that will be moving in with me. That's three boys. I would have to build several pods or find another option to build an entire second floor. I'm going to do an internship with calearth next year so we'll see what they recommend. :)
rawmark 5 months ago
Hey Nelly, Would you consider posting an audio commentary version of this video, with you show piecing your handcrafted artwork around the house. Like at scenes 3:10 or the tiles at 5:54 of your movie and what inspired you to create them. Thanks again for all your contribution to like minded people.
TheBowersj 5 months ago
Will look into commentary with this video as I know there are photos which could use some explanation. Re: the creative process, if I couldn't have been inventive/creative along the way, I'd have lost the spirit because of manual labor involved. I enjoy shape/beauty/color & tried every effort to design these elements in my living space. I also like to recycle when possible which the tiles in 5:54 are, sandstone tiles from India found at a used building supply store, a great place to go.
cbmst1 5 months ago
I am looking to make a home like this with my fiance, but he doesn't think we can or even should try to do this on our own. Do you know if there are people who would contract to do this sort of thing? I am from the US.
AaronsEve 6 months ago
hi, nelly! I finished stacking earthbags and making roof. Now next step is plasteirn walls. Could you expain your plastering work more in detail? For instance, how and when did you use lime with earth? Could you explain more in detail at 4:55? How dou you make differnt colors of wall? I made a serious mistake in farming big window without using post in living room. Now we are revising the frame fot this window.
peacemaker32able 6 months ago
Great you're building w/earth! Hang in there, always trial & error. Plaster difference at 4:55 is left side has dark umber powdered pigment in earth/sand/straw/mica mix. Right side has kaolin clay, & silica sand instead of normal sand. Make recipe depending on clay content in soil. For me, left side about 1.5p sifted earth/1p sifted sand. Right side about 1p earth/1p kaolin/1p silica sand. Also sifted straw to remove little knuckles. Hard to get smooth plaster otherwise. No lime. Good luck!
cbmst1 6 months ago
Last winter was very cold winter, but we stayed warm in this house. Had to keep curtains closed at windows all day when temp. did not get above 20 degrees. Easy to keep house 65 degrees indoors burning wood & using propane for in-floor heat. I'll use more wood this winter, keep fire going throughout day, not use as much propane since expensive. No dampness. Earth construction stays very dry, but dry climate helps. Only thing I'd do differently is insulate against ground at foundation. Cheers!
cbmst1 6 months ago
hi nelly
i m the guy from europe-Greece
did u have a good and warm winter in the house?was it warm and cosy?
any damp problems?
thank you for your answer in advance
em1dem 6 months ago
I enjoyed the video. I wonder why the earthbags weren't used for the roof system?
1timby 7 months ago
Yes, using earth bags all the way up is easier, faster and saves money. I definitely recommend doing this type of roof if the footprint is a conventional, round earth bag design where bags can safely and structurally go up to a sky dome. My design/footprint is not round and it's bigger, so I could not use this roof type.
cbmst1 7 months ago
this house is very, very nice
el7veces7 8 months ago
Amazing house! I have one question.What do you use to treat the earth floors? Linseed oil?
tantarul0strasnic 8 months ago
Best so far has been Shellac (durable and tough) over other less effective coatings that I initially applied. Maybe Shellac after Linseed could work? I found Linseed alone doesn't hold up long enough.
cbmst1 8 months ago
Using natural citrus solvent to cut shellac 4:1 or 3:1, depending on consistency that you want. I think I used citrus solvent to cut linseed too, instead of turpentine.
cbmst1 8 months ago
@cbmst1 Thank you!
tantarul0strasnic 8 months ago
thank you so much for your video ..
this is the best lesson for everyone to lean...and apply according to individual purpose.
great video.
thank you
God bless you .
boonthip100 8 months ago
Thank you for sharing this lovely slide show of the construction of your earthbag home. I'm considering building a two level earthbag home, with basement/entertainment room for me and my family. I managed to find one guy who's building a massive earthbag home named drdirtbag. If you haven't seen his videos I highly recommend them. Your home is truly lovely!
rawmark 8 months ago
The post sits on footer (yes not totally round, mine are more oblong), then it's good to have 4"-5" concrete surface overhang for further stability on all sides of post. Say post is roughly 10" across at base, then the footer needs to be 18" across, so there is 4"+ of concrete surface showing on all sides of post. Don't know all the diameters of ADS drain pipe, but there are larger sizes. I used 15" pipe so only had 2"-3" surface overhang, though so far no problems, I think more is better.
cbmst1 10 months ago
Thanks for your quick answer! I have one question. What do you mean by 4-5" exposed base on all side? Do you mean 4-5" is the width of the post timber, which does not have two round parts of it by cutting?
peacemaker32able 10 months ago
I am very grateful for your amazing slide show. I really enjoyed it. I am curious how you set the posts for large windows. What kind of timber did you use? how is the size of the timber? How was the length of the posts? Especially I want to know more in detail how to make foot part of the posts. You seem to use used car tires for them. I also plan to make large window for our living room.
peacemaker32able 10 months ago
Thanks for comment. Timber is local aspen wood, cured 3 yrs, & placed on single wall ADS drainage pipe, 15"W X 12" H which is filled with concrete. Would suggest to go 24" W instead. Posts are 8" to 12" diameter at base & roughly 10' tall, 3' underground approx (make sure to treat wood against moisture & insects) & 7' above ground, with 18" bond beam on top of posts to make just over 8' walls. Trimmed windows, filling any minor gaps with insulation underneath trim. Windows rest on bags, level.
cbmst1 10 months ago
After I posted above, reevaluated what I said about 24" footer. May be overkill. Depends on post size at base. Nice to have 4-5" exposed base on all sides, though maybe you figure that out already. 15", which I'm sure is fine for my footers, in hindsight, would have gone a bit wider.
cbmst1 10 months ago
Thanks. My house is peaceful, my haven. Out-of-pocket expenses around $100/ft. A lot of my own labor is in the construction, so that is an undefined factor. I had a "builder" help me w/roof design & construction, but I ran the show. I got ideas from books, "Earthbag Building", by Hunter and Kiffmeyer, & researched a lot on the internet. Some parts to building I pondered/researched for weeks, sometimes months, like stairs to loft. Always approach creatively, then think logically. You can do it.
cbmst1 10 months ago
Hello great house and really beautiful and peaceful! Btw i was curious how much did that whole house costed?And if i choose to make a house like that in Greece who can support me with this?
amaruz 10 months ago
Where do you get the bags?
inlove0395 11 months ago
Thanks. Bags are from Eagle Bag Co, or U-Line, so google mesh bags with name U-Line. There are no building codes in my county yet. I designed my house so did not have architect sign off. Good luck. I know it is not easy to prove building materials are ok. Always call an earthbag house design "adobe" or "masonry" w/officials like insurance companies & building inspectors. They know that material and don't raise eyeborow as high. Earthbag construction IS loose form adobe bricks.
cbmst1 11 months ago
Your house is my dream house and I will build one for myself... we are moving to New Mexico. Tell, me something please, I saw that you designed yours, how did you get the approval to build? Was it signed by an architect? Beautiful house!
inlove0395 11 months ago
Thanks for the quick reply.
With the materials that you used, how is the insulation? If you don't mind, what did it cost to install plumbing, electrical, HVAC, foundation, etc. ?
Thanks
KulJelly 1 year ago
Earthbag design is considered thermal mass & rated as U-value instead of R-value. (Roof is R-value.) If sunny, mass works great. Flywheel effect, absorbing heat & releasing as it cools outside. Days of cold/clouds, rely on heating from inside more. Costs are combined for privacy at $125/sq. ft (incl. solar 2kW setup). Elec/plumbing (w/infloor heat) run about the same. Depends how much you do yourself. Foundation is rubble-trench in front 1/2, VERY economical. Back 1/2 is foam concrete block.
cbmst1 1 year ago
Wow
This is really great. Great selection on the materials. Where was this built? Did you have to obtain a building permit? Can this be done in other areas?
KulJelly 1 year ago
Hi and thanks. This home is on the western slope of the CO Rockies near a small town called Paonia. As of now there are no building permits required (Delta county), though plumbing and elec permits are required. This made it much easier to build my home which is the only earthbag house in the area. If this type of design is called "loose form adobe" construction , instead of earhbag construction, there is a better chance of getting it passed. Everyone scratches their head at the term "earthbag".
cbmst1 1 year ago
Thanks for comment.
cbmst1 1 year ago
really gr8 ty so much 4 sharing, love this build tek
rawfo0d 1 year ago
All is good. I was originally inspired by the hobbit house in "Lord of the Rings".
cbmst1 1 year ago
cbmst: I didn't mean to be insulting, it is a lovely GREEN home and one which you all certainly deserve as you clearly put a lot of loving work into it. The materials choices were wonderful. My comment was inspired from my just having watched a bunch of "tiny houses" videos before seeing your's and agreeing with and mirroring the philosophy presented. Please don't take my post as a slight. You and family are to be commended!
GreedIsYourGod 1 year ago
Lovely home but way too big for most people. I am thinking more along the lines of a sort of eco-village with one "big house" a lot smaller and less fancy than what you show there and surrounded by little hobbit like bungalows for individuals. We would share the shop, a big kitchen, and a living room in the big house but generally speaking people only need 200 to 400 square feet of private space per person (maybe less for couples.)
GreedIsYourGod 1 year ago
Some people do prefer small spaces, esp if they live simply and are outside or away from the home a lot. I believe it's about personal preference and whether communal living is appealing or not.This house with its high ceiling and massive walls works really well for me and my family and an in-home business. We aren't in each other's way. I think any living space is considered small(er) when there's no privacy to talk on the phone.
cbmst1 1 year ago
the house is beautiful is there any one who teaches hands on building like this and where did they get the bags. I have lots of questions I have been looking into earthbags for awhile this is the first one I like.
celsterialbeing 1 year ago
Thanks for the comment. I taught myself mostly by reading "Earthbag Building: The Tools, Tricks and Techniques" by Kaki Hunter and Donald Kiffmeyer and googling/researching a lot of information on the internet. I started with a clay model and went from there. The bags came from Eagle Bag company out of Los Angeles. They are 50 lb. red mesh, draw string potato sacks and I doubled them up. Good luck!
cbmst1 1 year ago
I have several questions. can I send you my email address.
CRayWorks 1 year ago
how do u hold them in place? do u put a rebar in between the bags?
can u put metal posts?instead of wood?
can u send me u r email in private msg?(if that s possible)
for more questions about this kind of house
em1dem 1 year ago
Bags are a mesh material and with wet mud between rows, it held great. Used only a little barbed wire in building between rows. You could do metal for upright posts, but need to anchor metal beam on top to bags somehow. We used rebar sledge hammered through wood and top row of bags 1:54. You can send me a message if you want to know more, instead of a comment, through cbmst1.
cbmst1 1 year ago
You mean, insulation"? Cooling is great, esp w/windows and doors closed during very hot time in summer. I still need to do a winter in house, which is coming up, but while working house never froze. Once sun heats walls, premise is warmth emanates inward. Heat inside will hopefully absorb into mass of walls. Takes awhile to "charge" house like in-floor heating. "Thermal mass" concept/design. How hard? Walls are a solid 22" thick, feels like adobe. Blueprint-no, not really. Best to build to site.
cbmst1 1 year ago
when u fill the bags do u pound the soil into them?
whats the life span of these houses?
how do u tie the bags and whne u stack them up how do u hole them in place?
em1dem 1 year ago
Tamp w/board as seen at 1:26 in video. Mix not to wet, not too dry is important. Life span-I hope for a very long time. Many indigenous houses in 3rd World countries made of adobe seem to last a long time. Red net bags are doubled up, turned inside out, end pulled tight and folded under. Netting of bags works as tensile strength w/ wet mud slurry in between rows. Can kinda see layer between bags at 4:45. Works great and why I like mesh bags instead of straight poly. Not much barbed wire needed.
cbmst1 1 year ago
Comment removed
onebadassque 1 year ago
what a fantastic house
em1dem 1 year ago
fantastic house
well done
em1dem 1 year ago
Absolutely beautiful home. Im about to purchase some property in Nevada and want to do this, on a scale similar to yours. Estimated $ in doing so. Thx 4 any assistance.
onebadassque 1 year ago
Thanks. My out-of-pocket expense was roughly $100/ft. So much can change with that. I put a lot of labor into the construction myself and lost complete track of how much, so that's a huge factor if you want it to be. These kind of projects are a "labor of love" all the way. I'm very glad I did it when I did. Good luck!
cbmst1 1 year ago
Hey, beautiful home first of all. I'm curious whether or not you think it's plausible to build an earth dome sauna, as the constant heat and humidity fluctuations might prove problematic.
lukapetrasinovic 1 year ago
Key - keep dense walls breathable, so walls can always dry out. No cement stucco on outside or inside or blue board in between. Cracking of mud/plaster is biggest problem I forsee for sauna, but maybe smooth over while wet & no big deal. In my video, pinkish shower wall has silica sand in it - great for instantly drying out -so far holding up good w/wet & humidity. Freezing/thawing biggest detriment, but that's more exterior wall. Don't use straw in exposed plaster - it'll mold. Just experiment.
cbmst1 1 year ago
Add'l - As you saw, I used mesh bags instead of tight weave poly bags. I liked using mesh bags a lot, though had to double them up for strength. I believe mesh allows mud bricks to wick better & plaster is no problem to apply. Have seen no other earth structure use mesh bags, but I'd still choose mesh over white poly. Didn't have to use much barbed wire either between rows. Applied mud slurry instead & mesh acted as binder to slurry. If mud gets wet often, it just need to be able to dry out.
cbmst1 1 year ago
Domes are great! I love my greenhouse dome! Thanks for the comment.
cbmst1 1 year ago
Beautiful house! We are going to a 600sf dome style one. Yours is a work of art! Thank you for posting it.
jscanyon 1 year ago
Hello Nelly what can i say about the house turned out fabulous...What a dream come true I'm speech less.Crazy just two days ago i was telling my boss about this house that i had a small part in building,he said know way let me see pictures well i found better this video is awesome.....I would like to drop bye one of these day to see it close up,when i get the time to come up there.if that's OK..In till then J..Valdez
valdez021 1 year ago
Hey, Juan. It'd be great to see you next time you are in town. Probably a bit of a shock to be talking about your time helping build my place, then to actually find it on the internet and to see yourself! Thanks for the good job!
cbmst1 1 year ago
whats the song?
FishyMoe 1 year ago
I thought it said under video, but looks like it doesn't. Thanks for asking! "Ice Forming On Glass" by Bluetech from Beneath The Surface.
cbmst1 1 year ago
@cbmst1 thanks!
FishyMoe 1 year ago
@cbmst1 nice house by the way!
FishyMoe 1 year ago
@cbmst1 I was intrigued by the house AND the music as well :-)
Scenic4me 1 year ago
That was awsome just beautiful. I am hoping to build an earthbag home and was wondering How long it took with how many people working on it? How much did it cost? And last did you have any problems structurally like walls wanting to lean or anything like that?
iambebabeba 1 year ago
Thanks. Took me 4 yrs. to build, but a lot of work was just me last 2 yrs. When I was bag building, I had 2 men who did most the stacking. Went fairly fast. Always large crews make building & plastering go quickly. My cost was/is about $100/sq. ft. A lot of $ in my roof. If you carry bags all the way up as traditional dome, though have to remain circular, is a lot less in cost. My structure is post & beam, so walls solid. 1 inner wall fell while building, but no problem to stabilize. Good luck!
cbmst1 1 year ago
Its special.
0urGaia 1 year ago
Beautiful! Very nice design. I really like the music in this video as well :-)
clhSerenity 2 years ago
Thanks!
cbmst1 2 years ago
I love it!!! Perspicuous. I've been looking for a round idea for my land. This is the most beautiful earthbag I've seen! It must be like living in art. I wish you were my neighbor. Well done!
WeberJ101 2 years ago
Thanks! I liked the word "perspicuous". Had to look that one up. Good luck implementing your own ideas on your land.
cbmst1 2 years ago
Good ?! Thx. Back 1/2 of foundation is poured concrete in foam block , on concrete footer. Front 1/2 is "rubble trench foundation", red bags filled w/2"-3" stones, 3 1/2' high (.46) below grade, bottom layer laid opposite direction. Great foundation if no off-camber to building sight. Adobe floor poured on tamp dirt w/ volcanic rock as barrier. Cork floor on copper "micro" impregnated wood ("green") & plywood w/volcanic rock as moisture barrier. Master bedroom on floor joists, crawl space under.
cbmst1 2 years ago
Congrats!
How big is the house (square ft.) ?
Any problem getting the project approved by the authorities?
jonathanlepage 2 years ago
House about 2,000 sq. ft. though hard to exactly measure round space. I was lucky there are no building codes where I live. I'm first earthbag house in area, so if there were codes in place, I'm sure I'd have to educate building authorities before building. Codes will come at some point. Glad I'm finished! Thanks for inquiry.
cbmst1 2 years ago
wow- this is VERY impressive!!! what a dream come true!
fiddledeeman 2 years ago
Just lovely! Thanks for the inspiration. I've been looking for months on the subject. I love adobe and your home is so very nice. Congrats!
MacCWB 2 years ago
Thanks so much! After being rather myopic building my home for the past years, it is nice to finally step back and experience the bigger picture. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about building with earth bags. Being surrounded by adobe is really wonderful! The look and feel of the walls are usually what people notice first.
cbmst1 2 years ago
@cbmst1 I keep looking back to check on the details. As you put it, it is certainly a labour of love. I believe humans have to losse the fear of nature and live hand in hand with it, and not despite of it. Adobe helps us with this return and I very much like the idea.
I'm still trying to understand the piping in the house, water, electricity and so on. Can you give a hint?
Thx a bunch for the help.
Maciel, Curitiba, Brazil
MacCWB 2 years ago
4' crawl space under part of house (m. bedroom & baths) is where all piping for propane, water & electrics is. Gas line buried in dirt from crawl space to kitchen. Electric wiring channeled into adobe & put into drywall. 1 photo shows elec channeled w/steel banding to protect. VERY dusty to do after the fact. Advisable to map out elec so when stacking bags, put electric wiring in between grooves of bags. Need electrician on hand is only thing. Gotta get dirt over bags asap to protect from sun.
cbmst1 2 years ago
Thx again, that helps a lot.
One more thing: in some pics you seem to be making an adobe floor. I figure the difficult part of it is the "recipe". If I'm right, how much of dirt, water and cement (if any) did you use?
Thx for this one too ;-)) you are indeed very patient and helpful.
MacCWB 2 years ago
Tres cool........and the actual cost and man-hrs involved?
Scott G, Aspen
scottgellermd 2 years ago
These kind of projects are a "labor of love" and dedication all the way. Obviously, the more one's own man/woman hours put in, more $ to be saved. Hard to keep track of this time, nor does it matter to me. Sq. footage cost is under low-end going rate not counting off-grid solar install. The acquisition of solar rebates makes solar more affordable. Thanks for your interest!
cbmst1 2 years ago
I want to build one in Jamaica or the dominican republic
anngeter 2 years ago
Very well done, both home & video. Good job Nelly.
poppinss1 2 years ago