DIY Superinsulated Vaults

Slumtube pallet vaults are designed and built to European standards for structural soundness, and have plenty of space for thick insulation.
Slumtube pallet vaults are designed and built to European standards for structural soundness, and have plenty of space for thick insulation.

As we reported the other day, Brian Waite’s straw bale vault kit in England is an excellent option. However, many owner-builders might prefer to build their own vaulted home from scratch using locally sourced, low cost materials so as to make any size and shape they want.

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Another Update from Rex

Interior view of Rex’s pallet house that is estimated to cost around $4/sq. foot.
Interior view of Rex’s pallet house that is estimated to cost around $4/sq. foot.

“I have a Granberg MKIII Alaskan saw mill on its way, as well as one of their smaller Mini mills. I have so much fallen trees from a friend’s recent project that I’m going to use some of the wood I mill for flooring in the center of the house and hopefully make a little change on the side selling to a carpenter friend of mine. I’ll let you know how it works out for me. I’ll be milling mesquite, live oak and juniper.

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Update on Rex’s Pallet House in Texas

Rex’s pallet house in Texas is expected to cost around $4/square foot
Rex’s pallet house in Texas is expected to cost around $4/square foot

This is an update on the pallet house in Texas that we reported on earlier. The ultra-low cost is what really caught my attention and kept me following their progress. The latest cost estimate is around $4/sq. ft. Now that is dirt cheap!

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Exploring Natural Plasters on Pine Ridge Pallet House

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDT16crY6sc In this video, David Reed of Texas Natural Builders kindly shows us his work with developing the right plaster mix for the pallet house near Pine Ridge. This is his first full-house pallet build and his first in a severe hot-and-cold-weather climate like ours. Critics of natural building often say that natural building is … Read more