How to Build a Rammed Earth House
As energy costs continue to rise steadily, the average homeowner is looking for new options to save money. These same people are also looking to help the environment. A possible solution to both issues is a rammed earth house.
Required Materials
- low-grade brick-layering loam
- rebar
- cement
- sand
- water
- rail ties (optional)
Required Tools
- hand-pounder (mechanical vibrator if one of appropriate size can be found)
- big saw
- drill with bolt-removing bit
- tape measure
- pencil/paper
Instructions
- Site and Layout - The first item for consideration in a rammed earth home is the slab. Dig and lay a standard home slab to act as a base. Make sure that elements are placed so that the rammed earth walls will later have something to attach to; a lattice network with the exterior rebar going vertically into the wall space will suffice.
- Frames - Using standard foundation frames, build a section of wall frame. These forms do not need to be full wall frames - corner frames and coffin frames will do. Always have a corner that you are working with. The corner helps to interlock the walls as progress is made. Some professionals indicate that 300mm of wall width will do, but most agree that 450mm gives an added insulation benefit. Fill the form approximately elbow deep with earth and begin ramming with your hand rammer or vibrator. When you get to the top, you will need to unscrew a few bolts at the bottom that were present to hold the forms in place. The wall is now done.
- Doors and Windows - Since rammed earth houses have been in existence for thousands of years, you might think that a modern window, door, or other more modern element requires special treatment. This is not the case. When a rammed earth wall makes it to the top of a door opening, lay in a head piece such as a rail tie and keep on going. For the jams, just drive a rebar into the wall and jam again - the door isn’t going anywhere. Windows are pretty much the same: plug them in, attach them, and you’re done.
- House - People often envision rammed earth housing as being constructed of nothing but earth. This is far from the truth. A rammed earth home is simply a modern home that has earthen walls. The differences are mainly found in the financial and environmental savings that this type of construction affords. Any other design variations are usually in addition to the basic structure of the house. Rammed earth homes are often used in conjunction with solar and water management projects. As people begin to look for sound financial moves in home ownership, a combination of projects begins to make sense.
