I've recently did a butt load of reading on this CEB/Mud Brick/Adobe block building method. The most inexpensive method of doing this type of building would be to make your own block mold. A mold that would allow you to make numerous blocks at one time. I located a website from Australia that shows many people using different methods of making the blocks. One woman made her one mold to make one block at a time and she makes 35 blocks per day by herself! Another man took 2 - 2x4's about 10 feet in length, placed them side by side and cut 14 inch 2x4's and spaced them inside the 2 - 2x4's, shoveled the sections full of his CEB block mixture, and used a board as a trowel to level them off and picked up one end of the 2 - 2x4' and lifted them off the pressed blocks and poof he had 8 to 10 blocks made. I pesonally will attempt this method myself! This method would allow about 15 blocks at a time to be made.
Many people feel that these CEB homes are unconventional and uninsurable. I don't know and I would appreciate any and all information anyone out there has on this aspect of CEB Block homes. Many times homes that are labeled as 'unconventional homes' do not have a good investment value. I'd like some information on that aspect as well if anyone out there in Permies Land has any knowledge please share!
I'd don't want to invest my time and energy and money into something that will have no value should the need arrise for me to need a loan on it.
Insurance is also hard to obtain on a dwelling that is not considered 'conventional housing'. Again, I don't want to invest my hard earned money, time and energy into something I can't insure.
I do live in an area where we do have tornado weather. In tha last 22 years I've seen many neighbors lose everything, fortunately for us we have not lost but a few roofing shingles and one tree.
I located a website that tells of many adobe buildings built in the 1760's in Mexico that are still in use today! THAT FACT is enough to make anyone want to build their own exterior walls at the very least using this method.
I'd love to leave a lagacy behind when I'm gone. A legacy that says; "You CAN and you should build your own beautiful home with as many natural materials as possible. Build it to last for many genorations to share the beauty and freedom of being debt free and still have a safe and beautiful place to live and raise your families.
Any and all input will be greatly appreciated!
