http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzs-DHau37M Andrew, one of our readers, suggested a blog post about small stoves for all those planning small earthbag homes. This is a great idea because earthbag buildings are highly efficient and so in many cases all you need is a small stove. The emphasis here is on small, low cost, do-it-yourself wood stoves that … Read more
Imagine a creative, livable, affordable home. Now imagine it in Alaska. Join us in creating a model for a new era of Living Communities. First place prize of $35,000, and the winning design will be built! The Aleutian Islands are home to some of the world’s longest continuously occupied communities, with evidence of human development … Read more
An airlock entryway (vestibule) has two airtight doors that reduce the amount of air infiltration and heat loss when the exterior door is opened. They create a buffer area to block the wind and improve energy efficiency. Double door airlock entries are common features in energy-efficient homes in cold climates, but they also reduce air … Read more
1. Safe Choice – Wool insulation is a natural resource that is environmentally friendly. 2. Flame Resistant Wool is naturally flame resistant and complies with the Australian Standards for flame resistance. When tested they found the following results: Wool Insulation Advantage On a Scale of 0 to 10 with 0 being the best. Ignitability 0 … Read more
One of the biggest advantages of building a post and beam frame is you can get the roof on quickly so you can work in the shade and out of the rain and snow. That’s a huge plus. Other advantages include ease of getting code approval and added stability. Use a firewood permit to obtain … Read more
I’ve been reading about the building boom going on in Wyoming and the Dakotas from all the oil and gas exploration. There’s currently a severe shortage of affordable housing in the area. But the climate is very harsh and so conventional earthbag building is not so practical. We’re always searching for faster, easier, lower cost, … Read more