Alternative Building – Move Back In Time

 
 

There is nothing quite as promising and exciting as purchasing bare acreage with plans to turn it into a working homestead.

But building a traditional home, even one considered to be small by most standards – say, a 2 bedroom, 1 bath — is extremely expensive. Many people go this route not realizing that there are alternative ways of building a home that can save you money — and even lower house maintenance costs over time. The money you save can be used for interior designing and decorating, or allotted to other projects on the homestead.

Here are three inexpensive housing materials that can be used for off-grid and other self-sufficient homes.

1. Straw Bales

Straw is a common building material in some parts of the world but generally it’s being used for thatched roofs or added to a clay-like mix. Whole bales are actually a great inexpensive housing material for creating solid, well-insulated walls. You then can add a thatched roof or go with something more traditional like metal.

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Straw bale construction is best for very dry climates, and constant high humidity can cause structural issues. Construction must also be done during warm, dry weather, as you do not want any moisture getting into the bales while building. Naturally, you also need to be certain that the bales you use have been properly dried.

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3. Earth Bags

Earth bags, sometimes called sand bags, are another way to build a solid, structurally sound home. They are not as popular as some other natural building materials but are worth exploring. Using earth bags is similar to cob in the sense that you don’t really need special skills or tools. You’re essentially filling bags with earth or sand, stacking them like bricks to form your walls and tamping them down.

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Homes made from natural or recycled materials have a lot of character, and when built well will outlast pretty much any traditionally built home. They offer far superior insulation and less negative impact on the environment. Using natural materials also eliminates the dangers of toxins that are so prevalent in traditional building materials.

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Article source: Off The Grid News
Image source: same as above