Earthbag Building / Superadobe / Rammed Earth
DIY
Steamer Trunk Furniture
In keeping with our series of articles about super low cost and free DIY furniture, let’s look at steamer trunk furniture. Everyone has probably seen these old trunks from days gone by, but using them creatively as furniture is less well known. The trunks may need refurbishing or repair, although it’s not always necessary. One technique is lining the inside with aromatic cedar planking (available from specialty wood stores) for use as a storage chest at the foot of beds or elsewhere. Trunks with flat tops make good coffee tables and end tables. And, as you can see in the following photos, trunks can be assembled into desks, bookcases, shelving and other furniture.
Millions of Americans Are ‘Squatting’ in Own Homes
The focus of our blog is on low cost, low tech housing solutions. But sometimes it’s good to stop and look at what’s happening in society. Even though I read about the economy every day, this article about the true rate of foreclosure is still shocking. Who wouldn’t be moved by what’s going on? Due to financial hardship, more people are investigating lower cost DIY housing alternatives such as earthbag building, straw bale construction, adobe and pole building.
Roundwood Open Web Joists
Inspired by projects such as William Castle’s house, featured on our blog yesterday, I set out to design an open web joist using small diameter poles for non-code areas. It’s not as shiny and elegant as manufactured brands, but hey, who can argue with the cost? These trusses would cost just a few dollars apiece if you have a good source of poles. In parts of the U.S., and probably other countries, the poles you would need are practically free. Small trees like this are thinned out to reduce fires and help larger trees reach marketable size. You could use scrap metal for tie plates and cut the cost in half. Barter for a can of screws and you’re talking really dirt cheap.
Build a Home for $10,000 in 10 Days!
These are the type of stories I enjoy most, and what makes Mother Earth News such an incredible resource. In this example, a natural builder has devised a faster, easier timber framing method that looks incredibly practical. The article provides enough details to put the information to use (although more and larger size pics would have been nice).
“The modified timber-framing method William Castle has developed lets him quickly and easily turn this low-cost, local resource into beautiful houses, such as his daughter’s cabin (see the Image Gallery). The shell of the 1,000-square-foot house was built over an existing foundation by a crew of three to four adults and two children in less than 10 days — for less than $10,000!
Tree Root Furniture
More low cost furniture ideas for your sustainably built home. The least expensive, high quality furniture is typically made from free salvaged/recycled materials like pallets and barnwood, and free natural materials such as branches, twisted wood, stumps and tree roots that most logging companies leave behind. Tree root furniture is strikingly beautiful because its twisted, rustic shape is 100% natural and unique. You could pay hundreds of dollars or even way more for this incredible furniture at a boutique store downtown. Or you could put on your hiking boots and head for the forest to gather your own tree roots for free. Either way, you’ll end up with a one of a kind piece that could last for centuries. And unlike that pressed board crap, this stuff is super strong and doesn’t offgas formaldehyde.