Earthbag Shelters...

[Loshali]

Concrete has a very low insulative quality, unfortunately. Rice hulls have very good insulative qualities, but are extremely heavy, too heavy for insulating a ceiling. Plus you have to deal with pests eating the rice residue left in the hulls. But you'd have that problem with any natural insulation. Straw bale is a very good insulator, when covered with plaster or cob. Styrofoam makes great insulation, as well as chicken feathers. Feathers have been used in quilts for centuries, so why not as insulation? Paper (cellulose) can be used but has to be sealed extremely well. I've even read of plasters and insulation being made of cow dung, imagine that.


I have some websites on what materials have good insulative qualities on my computer at home. I've been researching cob dwellings extensively. Most cob sites do have some info on earthbag and earthship housing.
I'll post this evening.

Lo~

[voodoo]

No new pictures or updates. Was out there this past weekend, but not to work on it. Hope to spend most of next week finishing the walls. Will update then.

[West Texas!]

No new pictures or updates. Was out there this past weekend, but not to work on it. Hope to spend most of next week finishing the walls. Will update then.

I'm looking forward to seeing those pics.

[Jimbo]

Very cool! I've been wanting to try Papercrete but thats way down the "list" right now! LOL

[West Texas!]

Very cool! I've been wanting to try Papercrete but thats way down the "list" right now! LOL

I looked at it previously...seems like a solid idea....the only issue would be calculating the amount of materiel needed...especially the paper...

[RossA]

This looks like a really cool project, especially since I don't have to haul those bags up the hill! Looking forward to more pics.

[voodoo]

Spent the last 2 days out at the property. Didnt go to work much, had to meet some folks. Did manage to get 2 more courses of bags in place, but thats all. No pictures. Trying to get a group together and bang this thing out, but with everybodys work schedules, its not easy. Will post once we get some real progress made.

[ridgid1]

and a year later ? what happend?