Building underground the design and construction handbook for earth-sheltered houses

The only how-to manual on the subject directed to mainstream owner-builders An earth-sheltered, earth-roofed home has the least impact upon the land of all housing styles, leaving almost zero footprint on the planet. Earth-Sheltered Houses is a practical guide for those who want to build their own underground home at moderate cost. It describes the benefits of sheltering a home with earth, including the added comfort and energy efficiency from the moderating influence of the earth on the home's temperature-keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer-low maintenance, and the protection against fire, sound, earthquake and storm afforded by the earth.

Extra benefits from adding an earth or other living roof option include greater longevity of the roof substrate, fine aesthetics, and environmental harmony. The book covers all of the various construction techniques involved including details on planning, excavation, footings, floor, walls, framing, roofing, waterproofing, insulation and drainage. The time-tested, easy-to-learn construction techniques described in Earth-Sheltered Houses will enable readers to embark upon their own building projects with confidence, backed up by a comprehensive resources section that lists all the latest products such as waterproofing membranes, types of rigid insulation and drainage products that will protect the building against water damage and heat loss.

Earth-Sheltered Houses. The only how-to manual on the subject directed to mainstream owner-builders An earth-sheltered, earth-roofed home has the least impact upon the land of all hous. Remember Me. Newsletter About Contact us. Reading Time: 11 mins read. Share on Pinterest. Related Posts. Tiny Houses.

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Log In. Stay Connected. Stay updated on all the latest inspirations, ideas and innovations from TAG Level! Installing insulation on the outside of the walls will prevent the walls from cooling down to earth temperature, but can also reduce the summer cooling effect of the walls.

Careful planning by a designer familiar with earth-sheltered home design can keep humidity from becoming a problem. Although insulation in an underground building does not need to be as thick as that in a conventional house, it is necessary to make an earthen house comfortable. Insulation is usually placed on the exterior of the house after applying the waterproofing material, so the heat generated, collected, and absorbed within the earth-sheltered envelope is retained inside the building's interior.

If insulating outside the wall, a protective layer of board should be added to keep the insulation from contacting the earth. Adequate ventilation must be carefully planned in an earth-sheltered house.

Combustion appliances should be sealed combustion units that have a direct source of outside air for combustion and vent combustion gases directly to the outside. In addition, avoiding indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde from foam insulation, plywood, and some fabrics can help keep indoor air healthy.

An energy recovery ventilator, which exchanges heat in the outgoing exhaust air with incoming fresh air, minimizes heat loss while ensuring good indoor air quality and is a useful addition to any energy-efficient home. There are two basic types of earth-sheltered house designs—underground and bermed. Underground Earth-Sheltered Homes. Bermed Earth-Sheltered Homes.

Like any home design, earth-sheltered houses have advantages and disadvantages. Topography and Microclimate. Groundwater Level. Other Construction Considerations. Waterproofing systems to consider include: Rubberized asphalt combines a small amount of synthetic rubber with asphalt and is coated with a polyethylene layer to form sheets. It can be applied directly to walls and roofs and has a long life expectancy. Plastic and vulcanized sheets are among the most common types of underground waterproofing.

Plastic sheets include high-density polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene. Suitable vulcanized membranes or synthetic rubbers include isobutylene isoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer, polychloroprene neoprene , and polyisobutylene. For all these materials, the seams must be sealed properly to guard against leaks. Liquid polyurethanes are often used in places where it is awkward to apply a membrane, and are sometimes used as a coating over insulation on underground structures.

Note that weather conditions must be dry and relatively warm during their application. Bentonite is a natural clay formed into panels that are nailed to walls or applied as a liquid spray. When the bentonite comes in contact with moisture, it expands and seals out moisture.