{"product_id":"earth-sheltered-houses-how-to-build-an-affordable-underground-home-9780865715219","title":"Earth-Sheltered Houses: How to Build an Affordable Underground Home","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e The only how-to manual on the subject directed to mainstream owner-builders \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e An earth-sheltered, earth-roofed home has the least impact upon the land of all housing styles, leaving almost zero footprint on the planet. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e Earth-Sheltered Houses \u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The book covers all of the various construction techniques involved including details on planning, excavation, footings, floor, walls, framing, roofing, waterproofing, insulation and drainage. Specific methods appropriate for the inexperienced owner-builder are a particular focus and include: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e pouring one's own footings and\/or floor \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e the use of dry-stacked (surface-bonded) concrete block walls \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e post-and-beam framing \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e plank-and-beam roofing, and \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e drainage methods and self-adhesive waterproofing membranes. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e The time-tested, easy-to-learn construction techniques described in \u003ci\u003e Earth-Sheltered Houses \u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Rob Roy \u003c\/strong\u003e is a former contractor with twelve previous books to his credit, including \u003cem\u003e Cordwood Building \u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003e Timber Framing for the Rest of Us \u003c\/em\u003e . An expert on underground building, he founded the Earthwood Building School in 1981 with his wife, Jaki, and is frequently a speaker at events throughout North America. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"New Society Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50461460922642,"sku":"9780865715219","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f40b7b37-638e-4a50-80bb-e077921b59b7.jpg?v=1730067685","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/earth-sheltered-houses-how-to-build-an-affordable-underground-home-9780865715219","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}