Building an adobe house – the revival of old technologies in the present

The ancient method of constructing adobe homes has made an astounding resurgence in recent years. With its roots in antiquity, adobe construction builds sturdy, long-lasting homes with just three basic ingredients: earth, water, and organic materials like straw. Modern builders and homeowners are adopting this method, which has been used for thousands of years, because they appreciate its timeless charm and environmental benefits.

Adobe homes provide a special fusion of aesthetics and functionality. Because of the superior insulation provided by the natural materials used in their construction, interiors remain warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Furthermore, the thermal mass of adobe lowers the requirement for artificial heating and cooling systems by assisting in the regulation of indoor temperatures. This reduces the home’s environmental impact while also lowering energy costs.

The low environmental impact of adobe homes is another important benefit. The materials needed for adobe construction can frequently be found locally, in contrast to conventional building materials that need to be processed and transported over long distances. By doing this, the building process’ carbon footprint is decreased and local economies are strengthened. In addition, adobe buildings are an environmentally beneficial option for sustainable living due to their low embodied energy and biodegradability.

Adobe homes have cultural and historical value in addition to their practical and environmental advantages. They exhibit a profound understanding of the local climate and resources as well as a close connection to the land. Modern homeowners are supporting an environmentally conscious lifestyle and safeguarding a priceless architectural legacy by opting to build with adobe.

The resurgence of adobe construction underscores the significance of fusing traditional knowledge with modern methods as we look to the future. We can build homes that are not only lovely and cozy but also environmentally friendly and sustainable by adopting these tried-and-true methods. The revival of adobe homes provides a window into a more connected and sustainable way of life, whether you’re a builder, homeowner, or just a fan of architecture.

Features of building material – clay

It is incorrect to believe that modern masters have not utilized clay as a raw material for construction for a very long time. Although the rate of use has slowed, clay has recently been reintroduced into the residential development sector in line with the "fashion" for natural materials. Excellent astringent and preservative qualities, excellent mixing capabilities with various fillers, strong and hard solidification, and high heat-insulating qualities are all possessed by this mineral.

Clay is most commonly used to plaster wooden houses, but it can also be a useful foundation material for houses that are built sustainably. While you can find clay under your feet, it is just as suitable for building walls as brick and concrete. More than ten thousand years have passed since the invention of adobe building technology, and some of these structures have stood for more than a century.

Because of the substantial weight of the walls, a solid foundation must be established before the construction can be considered reliable. Clay particles tightly quench with one another after drying.

Advantages and disadvantages of clay houses

The affordability of building materials is the primary benefit of adhesive technology. The least expensive raw materials, which are simple to locate in a career or even on your own site, will be all that is needed to build. There is no need for expensive tools or specialized equipment for work.

Additional benefits of clay homes include:

• the ability to build any building on its own project;
• easy correction of shortcomings and making changes to the project directly during construction;
• low risk of clay ignition, lack of open burning even with direct contact with fire;
• complete safety and environmental friendliness of materials;
• the formation of a special microclimate inside housing (heat in winter, cool in summer);
• low thermal conductivity of clay walls, the ability to accumulate heat;
• Hygroscopicity – the ability to absorb and give moisture.

One of the main drawbacks is that the building of the house and the material harvesting are strictly seasonal. The summer months will need to be used for clay mining, and average fat content raw materials should be sought after. If not, the house will not become the ideal stronghold. Only warm, dry weather is suitable for working, and each step takes a lot of time. It is preferable to enlist helpers when building a house because it is impractical to attempt block preparation and clay collapse alone.

An additional disadvantage of the technology is that the exterior of the house will require complete protection from moisture, as the walls might decay in the absence of decoration. Their interest in rodents stems from the fact that the construction solution is composed of samanas, which is a blend of straw and clay. You will need to plaster and cover the lower portion of the structure with a special mesh in order to prevent damage.

Types of clay masonry

Adobe claims that there are various ways to build technology at home. The three primary techniques are explained below.

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More often than not, the removable formwork technique is employed. A mixture of clay, sand, and straw is first made, and it is then rammed into a formwork that is less than 20 centimeters high. The top portion of the layer is designed to resemble a comb in order to improve the adhesion of each subsequent layer with the preceding one. The reed stems are laid to enhance the layers if needed. After the first layer has set and dried, fresh layers of clay mixed with straw are added, but not before a thick crust has formed.

Block masonry

Once the clay has been kneaded into bricks, let them dry fully. Masonry is constructed from completed materials, such as bricks. Bricks are covered in a clay-sand mixture in between the rows. Since the solution used to make the bricks hardens and freezes quickly, it is used in its entirety right away.

Masonry of bags

Of all the technologies available, this one is thought to be the least taxing. It involves building walls out of bags that are filled with a clay-based construction solution. It will take less time to complete the construction process, and the final design will be extremely robust. The following is the progression of work on "bag" technology:

• Strong polypropylene bags are filled with a construction mixture of clay;
• tamp the bags so that they gain close to a rectangular shape;
• the neck is sewn with galvanized wire;
• put the first row of bags, tighten again, moistened with water;
• The thorny wire is distributed and fixed with brackets on top, a seam is formed from a mixture of sand, clay, lime and cement;
• put the next layer of bags, repeat similar manipulations;
• Additional strength of the structure is given using sharpened steel reinforcement, driving it vertically directly through the bags;
• let the solution dry and gain strength, then equip the ceilings and roofs, make a concrete screed on the floor;
• While there is no roof at the house, they close it on top with a plastic film or roofing material.

Clay additives

Straw, clay, sand, and water make up the majority of the solution, but various other ingredients are welcome to maximize its benefits. The following drugs are the most widely used ones:

1. Flax fiber. If necessary, they can completely replace the straw. Fiber makes the walls of clay more durable and facilitates the entire structure.
2. Lime. Protects the house from rot, mold, prevents the settlement of insects.
3. Cement. The introduction of a substance into a solution of clay in a volume of 10% of the total mass significantly hardens the laying.
4. Plasticizers. Make the solution more plastic, facilitate the formation of bricks.
5. Foam -glass. Strengthens the construction solution, reduces shrinkage.
6. Vermiculite or expanded clay. Used to even more reduce thermal conductivity of the walls.

Requirements for the material and its workpiece

In order to ensure that the material’s strength endures, the appropriate quantity of medium-aged clay is harvested in the summer and allowed to mature in the winter’s cold. Using recently global clay is not advised. Clay’s fat content ought to be close to average. To achieve the desired limits for the composition’s fat content, an experimental amount of sand is chosen.

Form a small ball (up to 5 cm in diameter) out of the mixture sample (sand plus clay), allow it to dry completely, and then drop it from a height suitable for humans. The ball is cracked but does not shatter if the mass is of a high caliber. The August crop’s straw is removed and allowed to thoroughly dry. Straw should not be used raw for building because it will rot.

Constructing a home using adobe draws on the rich history of traditional building techniques, providing a sustainable and greener option to contemporary building methods. Householders can lessen their carbon footprint and build structures that are in harmony with the surroundings by utilizing natural materials like clay, sand, and straw.

Adobe homes have superior thermal qualities in addition to being environmentally beneficial. The natural temperature regulation of these homes keeps interiors warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Because of their high energy efficiency, adobe homes can also be more cost-effective in terms of heating and cooling.

Fostering a resurgence of the adobe construction tradition also helps to strengthen ties to craftsmanship and cultural history. The knowledge and abilities needed to build with adobe must be passed down through the generations, encouraging the preservation of traditional building methods. Among those who value conventional wisdom and environmentally friendly living, this revival may foster a sense of belonging and pride.

Modern innovations can improve the functionality and longevity of adobe construction. Without compromising their classic charm, builders can create adobe homes that satisfy modern safety and comfort requirements by fusing traditional building methods with new materials and design concepts. Future generations will find adobe housing to be a viable and appealing option if we embrace this blend of the old and the new.

The construction of an adobe home is an intriguing fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary sustainability. This ancient method, which makes use of inexpensive and environmentally friendly substitutes for traditional building materials like clay, sand, and straw, is returning in popularity. In addition to being long-lasting and energy-efficient, Adobe homes also encourage a healthier living environment by utilizing fewer synthetic materials. Adopting this age-old approach provides a means of tackling contemporary environmental issues while reestablishing a connection with our architectural legacy.

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