When an Instagrammer began to share updates over their handmade mud house, not everyone was convinced that the structure would take.
A comment that Kristina Barile (@Turiya_natural_living) regularly hears: “I see cracks. Your mud house will fall apart.”
Well, in an Instagram video she decided to answer: “I'm not worried about it”, with a thoughtful explanation of how natural houses work and why visible cracks in an earthen wall really don't have to worry.
The walls on which she works are not load -bearing. “The strength of the house actually comes from the frame,” she says, pointing out that the mud walls serve more like separators than structural supports.
The first layer of earth plaster often ripped when drying, but this is expected and will later be covered with smoother finish layers with a higher sand content. “It's okay to let this first layer crack,” she says, noticing that it is an affordable way to build with local soil and simple materials.
This method, which is referred to as a slip -in straw, combines loose straw, which are covered with bamboo or wooden frame and earthen gypsum with bamboo or wood coating.
In contrast to Cob or Adobe, which are dependent on dense, shaped mixtures, slip straw is designed for insulation. It fills wall caves with breathable, natural materials that can dry in place and shaped with plaster layers. This also makes it more flexible and forgiving when it comes to surface cracks that are smoothed during the completion.
Since builders often use soil, straw and recovered wood, the grinding straw and other natural techniques reduce the environmental expression of the construction system dramatically. They also avoid the chemicals that are contained in many conventional materials that incorporate in the inner air.
For many DIY builders, the appeal is not only in cost savings, but also in the creation of a house that feels connected to its place and is built for long-term health.
Natural building techniques like this receive attention when people are looking for more climate -friendly ways of life. According to Healthy Materials Lab, the earth is one of the most widespread (and the least dirty) building materials in the world. In many regions, the Earthbauer took hundreds of years and offers permanent houses with a minimal CO2 footprint.
TCD picks »Upway Spotlight
💡upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% of premium e-bike brands
These types of houses are often energy -efficient. In a report by Eco Build Lab, it explains how thick earthen walls contribute to regulating the temperature by keeping the heat away in summer and persevering in colder months, which reduces the need for heating or cooling and helps the residents to reduce their energy costs.
“They first had to wet these stones because they are like sponges that suck the water out of their mixture,” commented an Instagram user. Natalie replied: “I always wet the walls for a few days before I appeared plaster” and added a smiley face emoji.
“Sludgehouses are an old Indian concept, but in today's climate that changes drastically,” wrote another commentator.
“Oh my god, it looks so funny,” wrote a third viewer.
Take in our free newsletter to get simple tips on tips Save more And Less wasteAnd don't miss this cool list of simple ways to help yourself and help the planet.
