Alternate Buildings

There are new methods for construction coming along that have built in enery efficentcies.

One system is foam insulated concrete.

In placing concrete, which is plastic in nature, forms are used to hold the concrete (not "cement" which is the powder used to bind the rock and sand together) in place.
Traditional forms are made of wood and are disposed of after use.

In the foam system, the forms are made of insulating foam and are left in place after the concrete cures (hardens). This system provides for an efficent means of creating structural walls. The wall is double insulated.

Other systems are available as well.

I prefer the more natural methods such as "Rammed Earth" or "Straw Bale" construction.
They are more energy intensive in the construction phase, but these systems are renewable and readily available. They also do not require manufacturing off site.
They have some limitations, but the energy savings, simplicity, and longevity more than offset them.

Rammed Earth consists of clay and sand. Pressed in forms until the desired height.
It is impervous to insects. Is the colors of the soils used, showing stratification. Is sound proof.
Can be shaped. And has the ablility to transfer heat through it's construction over the year. Depending on its thickness, summer heat will radiate through to the inside face in winter.
Rammed Earth, under current codes, requires additional structural elements, such as collumns, to hold up the roof. http://www.rammedearth.com/

Straw Bale construction, first used in Nebraska, has the adantage of being readily available most anyware. A standard 24" bale has an R value of 50. It too must have structural elements to hold up the roof. Simple tools are required to bind and cut the bales. The inside and outside faces are then plastered.
The common misconception about Straw is that it will attract vermin or be a fire hazzard.
This is simply not true.
Repairs to one of the original Straw Bale houses in Nebraska required removal of some of the bales. The bales were set aside. Upon returning to inspect the straw after repairs were made, they found the horses had begun to eat them. The straw had been encased in the walls for over 50 years and had been preserved well enough to entice the animals for a snack. http://www.greenbuilder.com/sbat/2001_Home_Tour/

(Karlthebunny is not affiliated with either web site listed, they are provided for reference.
Rammed Earth photos above provided from rammed earth.com web site)


Studies have been done combining the two with incredible results.
Depending on the climate, straw bale exterior walls and rammed earth interior walls provide the insulating values as well as the tempering ability of mass. The rammed earth maintains the air temperature inside the structure through radiant energy through out the year with a little help on the coldest days from a wood stove.

Add a Cistern to capture Rain water from the roof and you now have the gray water needed flush your toilets and water your lawn, which if xeroscaped using indigenous plants, will use little if no additional water, and provide abundant local wild life.

(My college English teacher would kill me for all the run on and fractured sentences in today's blog. Forgive me Mrs. Reynolds, I'm trying to save the planet!!)

Other energy efficent means of construction involve building with recycled materials.

What ever system you use to build your home,
think long term...
think renewable...
think 7th generation...