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6 Things Earth Walls and Skin Have in Common.

Walls are for protection, right? That’s why we build them, to keep the nasties on the outside OUT and the goodies on the inside IN.

Hmm. Natural building takes its cue from nature when designing structures. And if we look at walls in the natural world (cell membranes and the skin of animals) protection is merely one of many functions they serve. If you want to live in a healthy, happy, warm and dry environment, see how your walls measure up to their natural equivalents. A wall is the epidermis of your home, and an epidermis has a multitude of jobs:

1.       Thermoregulation: Skin conserves heat and aids heat loss where necessary. A decent wall should do the same thing. Earth walls maintain the interior temperature for hours.

2.       Absorption: Skin allows oxygen, nitrogen and CO2 to diffuse into the epidermis (some animals use their skin as their only respiration organ). Earth walls with natural lime coating behave in the same way. They breathe allowing fresh air in and stale air out. Providing there’s no concrete in the foundations, there’s no damp in the building. Concrete, artificial plasters and chemical-based paints fail dismally to allow absorption.

3.       Protection: Skin acts as a barrier to protect the body from pathogens. Earthbag walls act as a barrier to protect your house from gales, rain, fire, bullets and even sledgehammers. They are nigh on impossible to knock down.

4.     Control of evaporation: Skin provides a relatively dry and semi-impermeable barrier to reduce fluid loss. In a hot dry climate with dry winds, earthbag serves exactly the same function. It’s like magic.

5.     Storage: Skin stores lipids and water for the body. Earthbag walls, being nearly half a metre thick, are perfect for creating alcoves or secret cupboards within. Because they breathe and maintain the cool, earth walls are excellent for storing food, too.

6.       Water resistance: Skin is a water resistant barrier that holds valuable nutrients in the body. Its water-resistance is created by secreted oils. In the same way earthplaster can be mixed with linseed oil to create a natural water-resistant barrier (though I’m yet to try this).

Disclaimer: All the content in The Mud Home website is provided for informational purposes only. The author undertakes no responsibility for any person or entity who chooses to use the information on this website. It is not intended to be a standard and should not substitute for the exercise of good engineering judgment by engineers. It is the user’s obligation to make sure that he/she uses the appropriate practices and consults the appropriate experts when building. It is the user's obligation to make sure they are following health and safety guidelines. The author is not responsible for any accidents, injuries or damages to persons or property incurred while using the information presented in this website.

Some blog articles refer to the use of lime. Please note, lime is caustic and can cause burns. Read The Mud Home guide to using lime safely here.

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The Mud Home  Copyright © 2013  Atulya Kerry Bingham
  • Home
  • Building
    • Earthbag
    • Living Roofs
    • Gravel Foundations
    • Off-grid how to >
      • Off-Grid Prep Course
    • Earth Plaster
    • Mud as Mortar
    • Wattle and Daub
    • Lime; Hydrated, Hydraulic, and Putty
    • Mud Building Blog
  • Books
    • Dirt Witch
    • Mud Ball
    • Mud Mountain The Book
    • An Earthbag House in 7 Days?
  • About
    • Contact
  • Learn Mud
    • Courses
    • Mud Building PDF Package
    • Other Projects
  • Earth Whispering
    • Join the Earth Whispering Exploration
    • MUD MOUNTAIN