The Owner-Builder Network

Sturdy DIY Earthbag Round House

DIY Earthbag Round House
DIY Earthbag Round House

This interesting home is made from earthbags, also known as sandbags. Earthbags are an eco-friendly and sustainable building material made from natural materials like sand, clay, and gravel.

They are often used in disaster relief situations because they are so easy to transport and build with. This home is a great example of how earthbags can be used to create a sturdy and stylish home.

Sandbags were first used by the military and emergency services teams to build protective structures and for flood control. They are an effective and inexpensive way to protect against flooding and erosion.

They can be used to build barriers, redirect water flow, and absorb impact. Sandbags are also effective at absorbing shockwaves and can be used to protect against explosions.

Now the concept of using earthbags has been applied to housing to create strong and affordable structures. They are ideal for making homes that will stand up to the harshest weather conditions, as they are made from natural materials that are highly durable.

Additionally, earthbags are very easy to construct, meaning that even those with no prior experience can build a solid and reliable home. And using the right design, you can also have one of the safest homes in a fire zone. Obviously, a grass roof is not going to help there 🙂

Earthbag walls at about the halfway point.

Earthbag homes are an increasingly popular choice for those looking for an alternative to traditional stick-built homes. Aside from being durable structures, earthbag homes are also relatively inexpensive to build.

They are labour intensive. While earthbag homes are not for everyone, their growing popularity is undeniable.

But the bags can be filled with either dirt from the property itself or other available sources. They can be built practically anywhere in the world, provided that there is enough open space to do so. The bags are typically filled with dirt using a shovel, and the process is relatively quick and easy.

A finish coat of cement plaster on exterior walls.

Once the bags are filled, they can be stacked on top of each other to create a wall. Aside from saving money, you also get both thermal mass and great sound and temperature insulation.

Although made from unusual materials, earthbag homes can look good aesthetically. Their fluid, organic shapes can blend nicely into the environment, making them a great choice for those looking to build a home that is eco-friendly and stylish.

These homes are very easy to personalize to suit the owners’ aesthetic needs. By adding or removing certain elements, such as furniture or artwork, homeowners can create a space that perfectly reflects their unique style. Additionally, these homes can be easily adapted to accommodate changing needs.

Could you live in this earthbag roundhouse?

Materials:

  • Woven Polypropylene Bags (about 18” x 30”)
  • Bucket Chute (4-gallon bucket with the bottom cut off)
  • Soil
  • Gravel
  • 4 or 5 heavy-duty 2-gallon Cement Buckets
  • 4-point Barbed Wire
  • String Line
  • Sheet Metal Slider (about 13” x 16”)
  • 15 gauge Galvanized Wire
  • Bundle 500 Bags
  • Concrete or Stones – for door threshold
  • Galvanized Nails
  • Galvanized Sheet Metal Anchors
  • Long Wood Poles
  • 2×4 Bucks
  • ½” Rebar
  • ¼” Plywood
  • Hurricane Ties
  • Metal Compression Ring
  • Thatch
  • Screws
  • Cement

Tools:

  • Shovel
  • Trowel
  • Metal Chisel and Scrap Steel (or Bolt Cutters) – for cutting barbed wire
  • Knife
  • Wire Cutters
  • Tape Measure
  • Grub Hoe
  • Tampers
  • Corner Guide
  • Level
  • Sledge Hammer
  • Hammer
  • Cordless Drill
  • Sponge Float

Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox. You can also view the images as a slideshow if you prefer 😎

Thanks to EarthbagBuilding for this great project. You can get step by step instructions here
Earthbag building

If you liked this project, you will also like viewing these sustainable and green homes…

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