Pallet building is a hot topic and so the next few blog posts will explore various aspects of building with pallets — from entire houses, to interior pallet walls, to pallet wall cladding. Over 4 billion pallets are currently in use, so this is an abundant, easily obtained and usually free resource. Excerpts below about pallet building by David Reed of Texas Natural Building, a pallet house expert.
“I have been building residential homes for 24 years, I know structural stability inside and out, the strength of a pallet home is comparable to that of a conventionally framed home. In the smaller homes we design we have found that a staggered brick like installation is not needed and we try our best to find pallets exact or as close as possible in size, the installation process is as follows:
Once we decide on the foundation type, typically we always try to keep concrete forms out of our choices, we secure scrap 2×4 cleat blocks to the foundation, set back about 1/2″-5/8″, then slip the pallets over the blocks and secure them with screws horizontally into the cleats, toe screw the 2×4 frame of the pallet into the foundation as we level each one. We clamp each pallet together with C -clamps and fasten together with screws and sometimes carriage bolts, we butt corners with lapping pallets ends, and repeat this process as a soldier course along the perimeter of the foundation.
The top of the first course of pallets gets a continual 2×4 plate that is screwed down into the tops of the 2×4 frame of the pallets, this allows the pallets to be force straightened and gives it some pretty powerful rigidity!! We then install the second course of pallet just like the first, windows and doors are framed either as bucks or conventional trimmers and headers. A 2×4 top plate is installed on top of the second course and marks for joists and rafters which are installed conventionally.
In larger homes, we have found that we do have to stagger the pallets in long runs or insert a vertical 2×4 every 8′ for lateral strength. We cut pallets to fit re-using all of the materials as much as possible. We have other plate installation methods of installed on a earthbag stem wall or a cob or strawbale stem wall as well as rock using box beams as base plate and top plate with a 2×8 as the center horizontal plate. Once the pallet walls are up to the 8′ height then I come back measure and mark for the windows and then cut the opening out, frame it and pop them in!!
There are two types of wooden pallets made, HT (heat treated) and MB (Methyl-Bromide), we only use heat treated pallets in our designs and builds.
We use all natural materials as insulation, in this case being light straw clay which has an insulation value of about 1.5 per inch. We then add an adobe plaster (earth plaster) on the interior and exterior of the structure, this is typically local materials sources right from the build site! This provides both insulation and thermal mass!”
Image source 1 Pine Ridge Post-Reservation
Image source 2 Global Giving
Image source 3 I Love Cob.com
Pallet Houses
Texas Natural Builders Facebook page
The Dude Abides YouTube channel
Pine Ridge Pallet House
Whats up with this build? Some very good unanswered questions here. Very concern that you tied all the walls together with 4×4’s in the corners at minimum? Ive seen very well built and strong Cobins on small scale but never this big. Still standing?
It is now 2017 – any update on how this house stood well enough?
“I have been building residential homes for 24 years, I know structural stability inside and out, the strength of a pallet home is comparable to that of a conventionally framed home.
I am very interested in the idea of building with pallets or I wouldn’t be here. That said, I take issue with the above statement and would like to hear a reply. Its a beautiful home. But what holds the floor framing to the foundation? What if the earthbags break? There is no shear panel on these walls and you have multiple hinge points with each course of pallets! I was astonished at the second floor and roof load you placed on these walls and foundation! And no lath to hold the exterior plaster? Is there any engineer’s report on this dwelling? Its green and its cool but WOW its scary!
Pine Ridge gets a great deal of heavy wind. Also, mold is a huge problem there. I too would like to know how this house is holding up. Anybody here live that way and can give a report?
Randy — drop a note on his facebook page. Otherwise he may not see this.
Still a bit skeptical about structural integrity, but I’ll keep this option in mind. Thanks for this informative article.
This structure is amazing!
Can anyone tell me how the box beam is attached to the earth bag foundations?
Thanks
Would that work in northern climates, ie minnesota. Thanks
Yes, but you might want to make thicker walls with extra insulation and/or add a layer of board insulation on the exterior.
Awesome :)