Renovopedia

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative articles and news from Renovopedia about Home Improvments.

    What's Hot

    Spring Swaps: Freshen Up Your Home With These Simple Updates

    March 20, 2023

    Before & After: A Soulless Apartment Gets the ‘More Is More’ Treatment

    March 20, 2023

    Looking Back, Looking Forward: 15 Years of Remodelista

    March 19, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
    RenovopediaRenovopedia
    Demo
    • Home
    • News
    • Trending
    • Ideas

      7 Master Bedroom Designs With Stylish Style And Functional Features

      January 27, 2023

      Why is Garage Door maintenance essential?

      January 17, 2023

      5 Ways To Improve Your Flooring

      December 22, 2022

      Ideas to revamp and reorganise your garage

      December 22, 2022

      The Benefits Of Cleaning Your Windows Regularly

      November 30, 2022
    • Videos

      Water In Electrical Panel! Easy Fix? #Short

      March 30, 2022

      Working on My House LIVE! | Framing Door Openings

      March 23, 2022

      Framing a Wall With Angles Over Stair Bulkhead

      March 22, 2022

      Framing Bedroom/Hall Closet | Adding Basement Stair Headroom

      March 17, 2022

      Fixing Hacked Floor Framing | Straightening Kitchen Floor… Kinda

      March 8, 2022
    • Interior Remodel
    • Painting
    • Kitchen
    • More
      • Skills & Specialties
      • Exterior Remodel
      • Bathroom
      • Outdoor Building
      • Green Improvements
      • Home Services
    Renovopedia
    Home » Earth-Sheltered and Underground Homes Basics

    Earth-Sheltered and Underground Homes Basics

    November 27, 2021No Comments Green Improvements
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Tumblr Reddit Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    At some point in your life, you’ve probably played with dirt. It’s a practice that many people around the world and throughout history have continued long past childhood, using the abundant material to construct shelters.

    Earth-sheltered homes, including underground homes, are becoming a viable passive design strategy. At one time, earth-sheltered homes were either found in traditional cultures or in high-end building designs. Now, earth-sheltered homes are entering the mainstream for their natural insulating ability.

    Demo

    What Is an Earth-Sheltered Home

    When you build into the ground, the earth functions as a thermal mass, helping to maintain a comfortable interior temperature year-round. However, the structure itself must be carefully planned in order to carry the load of the earth.

    Considerations must be made outside the realm of traditional home building. For example, retaining walls must be constructed to hold back the weight of the earth. Especially as it becomes water-logged, the earth’s hydrostatic pressure can exert a great deal of stress on the walls. To help with this, drainage pipes are installed to protect the structure from water infiltration.

    Underground homes are typically made of reinforced concrete because it does not degrade and exhibits high compressive strength. Dome structures are popular because of how well they distribute the weight of the earth.

    A layer of insulation must also be installed, as the earth alone does will not adequately insulate the inside. Earth does provide a great deal of insulating ability. But the addition of artificial insulation will help to control temperatures within the structure and limit the use of heating devices.

    Finally, homes below grade must be extensively waterproofed. The most common systems include rubberized asphalt, plastic sheeting, liquid polyurethanes.

    Main Types of Earth-Sheltered Homes

    In-Hill Sheltered Homes

    If the topography of your site includes a steep enough slope, it is possible to excavate into this hillside and bury a portion of your home. In these types of earth-sheltered homes, one wall is typically left exposed so windows can be installed and the structure can gain heat via passive solar methods.

    Bermed Earth Sheltered Homes

    On flatter sites, you can pack the earth against the exterior walls of your home so that it slopes away for drainage. The roof may or may not be covered by earth. Earth-covered roofs must bear considerable weight. But the advantage is that the earth adds yet another insulating plane to the home.

    Underground Earth Sheltered Homes

    To create a truly underground living experience, dig a large recess, construct your home below grade, and fill in the dirt around it. With this type of earth sheltered home, a central courtyard is usually located to allow access to air and light. Otherwise, skylights or sun tubes may be installed to provide additional natural light.

    Other Considerations

    Before you build an earth sheltered or underground home, it is important to evaluate several factors. Consider the climate. The best climates in which to build these homes are those with extreme temperatures, particularly places that experience dramatic temperature swings from day to night. However, a humid climate can create additional condensation issues for an earth sheltered home.

    Evaluate the location of the water table and frost line. If it is too close to the surface, then it might not be possible to build an underground home. Also, consider the typography and which type of earth sheltered home would be the best fit for the site. The number one rule is to always send water in the opposite direction from your home.

    Finally, you must determine whether the soil is stable enough to support the construction of an earth sheltered home. Sandy and gravelly soils are the best, while soil containing a lot of clay is not suitable.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros

    • Protection from the elements
    • Energy conservation and consistent indoor temperature
    • Privacy since earth-sheltered homes have few windows
    • Soundproofing against neighbors and nearby roadways
    • Extra green space and insulation provided by a living roof
    • Low maintenance, little to no exterior materials​​​

    Cons

    • Poor ventilation and low indoor air quality
    • Limited access to natural light, though some can be incorporated
    • High upfront cost for excavation, beefed-up structure, and waterproofing
    • Potential for water leaks
    • High interior humidity (though this can be controlled with dehumidifiers)
    • Danger of radon infiltration
    • Poor acoustics
    • Difficulty in finding professionals experienced with this alternative building method
    • Concrete and waterproofing systems aren’t eco-friendly building materials
    • Local building codes may be prohibitive
    • Zoning issues may not allow you to build it
    • Limited options for expansion later
    • Difficult to sell on the real estate market

     

    Source: The Spruce

    Demo
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit VKontakte Telegram WhatsApp

    Related Posts

    It’s Green Week! A Celebration of Everything Eco-Friendly

    December 7, 2022 Green Improvements

    6 Eco-Friendly Insulation Options for Your Tiny Home

    December 7, 2022 Green Improvements

    The 15 Best Instagram Accounts Dedicated to Green Living

    December 6, 2022 Green Improvements

    How to Renovate with Sustainability in Mind

    September 14, 2022 Green Improvements

    How to Compost in an Apartment

    February 9, 2022 Green Improvements

    Learn More About Off-gassing

    November 27, 2021 Green Improvements
    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Demo
    Don't Miss

    How to Soundproof a Room With Caulking

    Interior Remodel November 28, 2021

    Perhaps it’s the dog or the new baby in the other room. Or maybe your…

    Hurricane Ida No Match for Louisiana Couple’s Metal Roof

    November 26, 2021

    8 Painting Hacks Just For You

    March 27, 2022

    How to Mix Concrete

    November 26, 2021
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Latest Articles

    Spring Swaps: Freshen Up Your Home With These Simple Updates

    March 20, 2023

    Before & After: A Soulless Apartment Gets the ‘More Is More’ Treatment

    March 20, 2023

    Looking Back, Looking Forward: 15 Years of Remodelista

    March 19, 2023

    A Day in Khaki Muromachi

    March 18, 2023

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative articles and news from Renovopedia about Home Improvements.

    Demo
    Our Picks

    Spring Swaps: Freshen Up Your Home With These Simple Updates

    March 20, 2023

    Before & After: A Soulless Apartment Gets the ‘More Is More’ Treatment

    March 20, 2023

    Looking Back, Looking Forward: 15 Years of Remodelista

    March 19, 2023
    About Us
    About Us

    Renovopedia is the premier source for home improvement news and articles. We provide the latest news and articles for homeowners looking to find inspiration, solutions, tips, and ideas to prepare your home for sale or turn it into your dream home.

    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: hello@renovopedia.com
    Contact: +1-320-0123-451

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn
    Popular

    Real Estate In The Global City

    April 29, 2022

    4 Ways to Detect Mold, and 1 Way to Prevent It

    March 2, 2022

    In Florida, a Gut Renovation in Shades of Grape

    November 26, 2021
    © 2023 Renovopedia. All Rights Reserved.
    • Home
    • News
    • Trending
    • Videos
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Contact

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.