Polypropylene bags are susceptible to UV damage if left exposed to sunlight for more than a few weeks. High intensity sunlight in deserts and at high altitudes is a particular concern. Builders typically use tarps to protect earthbag walls during construction to minimize UV damage and maintain the strength of the bags. But tarps have … Read more
A new article by Arvid Linde in Green Home Design compares typical earth-sheltered homes with structures made of earthbags. Linde raises a number of interesting points. I agree with his assessment that most earth-sheltered designs contain a lot of high embodied energy materials, notably concrete and steel, and therefore are not as ‘green’ as they … Read more
Some earthbag builders have problems with drooping (slumping) earthbags at corners and next to window and door openings. Without another bag to support the unsupported bag end, bags tend to slump. (All other bags are butted against other bags and don’t have this tendency.) But like everything else in earthbag building, there’s a simple solution. … Read more
This video is a perfect example of how durable earthbag construction can be when subjected to submersion in water and the onslaught of waves. According to Shari, the builder, “This garden bed was an experiment, it was built on a shore line of a large lake. I wanted to see how earthbags and plaster held … Read more
Reader’s have asked for our YouTube videos on DVD. Even though they’re free on my YouTube channel, some people have slow Internet access and can’t watch them. Some may prefer to watch them on TV. So we’re now offering a limited number of DVDs that include all 61 videos (as of October 30, 2010) and … Read more
Certain types of soil for earthbag fill material may be available for free or dirt cheap. Excavation companies typically want to empty their trucks as quickly as possible to reduce labor and trucking costs. Ask them for ‘clean fill dirt,’ which is low cost soil free of debris. It’s best to avoid problem soils such … Read more