I just found these new videos on YouTube and know very little about them. I’m eager to learn how they propose to build the large vaults, because these are very difficult to build with earthbags. The first one is an animated video showing how to build a dome. The second video is a fly-through of … Read more
In a previous YouTube video available at my Earthbag YouTube site, I explained how you can pin the corners of bags so the corners don’t stick out. Here’s another option — you can just turn the bags inside out. The last image in the video shows what the final result looks like.
Patti Stouter has devised a new way of reinforcing earthbag walls in seismic regions. Cement mortar is inserted in some joints between bags to lock the barbed wire in place and increase tensile strength. Mortar isn’t needed between every bag, and most likely every course doesn’t need this extra reinforcement. Designers/engineers could strategically place the … Read more
Specifications: 792 sq. ft. interior, 3 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 25′ x 39′ Description: Sweet Spot is an attractive and very efficient three bedroom home. Two roof options are available: 1. clerestory roof (shown); 2. gable roof with optional porch roof. I’m posting upgraded plans (finished computer renderings) as they become available over at my … Read more
A reader sent us the following email about another use for sand bags. “Militaries around the world (mainly US as it has representation in nearly every continent) use sand bags to construct barriers to prevent propagation of munitions explosion. That is, large amounts of explosives are stored in large bins (the size of classrooms) made … Read more
We’re using 2x4s instead of wide lumber whenever possible to save old growth trees and money. Smaller dimension lumber can be obtained from smaller trees, and so it’s more sustainable. For our rough window and door frames, also called ‘bucks’, we put two 2×4 frames side-by-side. The window hides the joint between frames. In fact, … Read more