Comments on: Beyond 90 Degrees with Earthbags

By: cbmst1

cbmst1 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:56:25 +0000

Thanks. My house is peaceful, my haven. Out-of-pocket expenses around $100/ft. A lot of my own labor is in the construction, so that is an undefined factor. I had a “builder” help me w/roof design & construction, but I ran the show. I got ideas from books, “Earthbag Building”, by Hunter and Kiffmeyer, & researched a lot on the internet. Some parts to building I pondered/researched for weeks, sometimes months, like stairs to loft. Always approach creatively, then think logically. You can do it.

By: peacemaker32able

peacemaker32able — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:57:24 +0000

I am very grateful for your amazing slide show. I really enjoyed it. I am curious how you set the posts for large windows. What kind of timber did you use? how is the size of the timber? How was the length of the posts? Especially I want to know more in detail how to make foot part of the posts. You seem to use used car tires for them. I also plan to make large window for our living room.

By: cbmst1

cbmst1 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:31:24 +0000

Thanks for comment. Timber is local aspen wood, cured 3 yrs, & placed on single wall ADS drainage pipe, 15″W X 12″ H which is filled with concrete. Would suggest to go 24″ W instead. Posts are 8″ to 12″ diameter at base & roughly 10′ tall, 3′ underground approx (make sure to treat wood against moisture & insects) & 7′ above ground, with 18″ bond beam on top of posts to make just over 8′ walls. Trimmed windows, filling any minor gaps with insulation underneath trim. Windows rest on bags, level.

By: cbmst1

cbmst1 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:20:47 +0000

After I posted above, reevaluated what I said about 24″ footer. May be overkill. Depends on post size at base. Nice to have 4-5″ exposed base on all sides, though maybe you figure that out already. 15″, which I’m sure is fine for my footers, in hindsight, would have gone a bit wider.

By: peacemaker32able

peacemaker32able — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:04:01 +0000

Thanks for your quick answer! I have one question. What do you mean by 4-5″ exposed base on all side? Do you mean 4-5″ is the width of the post timber, which does not have two round parts of it by cutting?

By: cbmst1

cbmst1 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:56:10 +0000

The post sits on footer (yes not totally round, mine are more oblong), then it’s good to have 4″-5″ concrete surface overhang for further stability on all sides of post. Say post is roughly 10″ across at base, then the footer needs to be 18″ across, so there is 4″+ of concrete surface showing on all sides of post. Don’t know all the diameters of ADS drain pipe, but there are larger sizes. I used 15″ pipe so only had 2″-3″ surface overhang, though so far no problems, I think more is better.

By: rawmark

rawmark — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:14:48 +0000

Thank you for sharing this lovely slide show of the construction of your earthbag home. I’m considering building a two level earthbag home, with basement/entertainment room for me and my family. I managed to find one guy who’s building a massive earthbag home named drdirtbag. If you haven’t seen his videos I highly recommend them. Your home is truly lovely!

By: boonthip100

boonthip100 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:35:16 +0000

thank you so much for your video ..
this is the best lesson for everyone to lean…and apply according to individual purpose.
great video.
thank you
God bless you .

By: tantarul0strasnic

tantarul0strasnic — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:00:54 +0000

Amazing house! I have one question.What do you use to treat the earth floors? Linseed oil?

By: cbmst1

cbmst1 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:41:23 +0000

Best so far has been Shellac (durable and tough) over other less effective coatings that I initially applied. Maybe Shellac after Linseed could work? I found Linseed alone doesn’t hold up long enough.