Gregory Martin

Just let me know Jeff...

My wife and i had a garden center in a small town in southern Alberta. We have made it as far as Quebec so far and plan the final move to NS sometime early summer. Looking forward to it!

Gregory

Hello Nicole,

I have also been thinking of building a home in a cold climate. I posted the following on a different forum; it might give you an idea or at least start some discussion:

The thermal conductivity of earth bags had me concerned at the start. I actually began my deliberations thinking of a modified slipform stone masonry building but changed my mind when I stumbled across a sprayfoam video. They were insulating older buildings and had developed a nondestructive method where the foam was sprayed to the outside of the building and stucco was then applied shortly after. I believe this would stop the thermal conductivity disadvantage that earth bag has in cold climates while enhancing the thermal mass advantage it has. It would be similar to the strawbale suggestion above but replaces the building of two structures (an earthbag home and a strawbale home) with hiring a contractor for a couple of days. While I have concerns with offgassing, this method does not have the foam applied where you will be living and there are some environmentaly friendly foams out there.

Before anyone goes off on me please know that I understand sprayfoam is (somewhat) expensive and/or distasteful to some... A small 15' diameter circle 1.5 stories high I estimate would cost 3k ish to insulate/stucco. I also realize it is not the most Eco minded material but I believe that, in balance, the structure would have a smaller carbon footprint than a conventional build, especially over its lifetime.

Cheers,
Gregory

Well Jeff, still keep us posted. And if you need a hand.....

Dale, my wife and I plan on moving to Canada's mildest climate within the year,hopefully near Annapolis Royal. I agree that the thermal conductivity of earth bags had me concerned at the start. I actually began my deliberations thinking of a modified slipform stone masonry building but changed my mind when I stumbled across a sprayfoam video. They were insulating older buildings and had developed a nondestructive method where the foam was sprayed to the outside of the building and stucco was then applied shortly after. I believe this would stop the thermal conductivity disadvantage that earth bag has in cold climates while enhancing the thermal mass advantage it has.

Before anyone goes off on me please know that I understand sprayfoam is (somewhat) expensive... A small 15' diameter circle 1.5 stories high I estimate would cost 3k ish to do this to. I also realize it is not the most Eco minded material but I believe that, in balance, the structure would have a smaller carbon footprint than a conventional build, especially over its lifetime.

I would really like to hear what people think of this idea but would appreciate keeping it to advantages and disadvantages. If you simply want to focus on the evils of foam and tell me that it is a stupid idea than I invite you to look at the code of conduct for the forums which simply states: "Be nice"

Cheers,
Gregory

Hello Mike,

I realize it has been a year and a half but I am interested to hear how it is going. I am hoping to build an earth bag structure once my wife and I move to Nova Scotia. I will join your Facebook page next so I can follow you there also.

Cheers,
Gregory

Hello Jeff,

Although I don't have knowledge to provide much help with your topic I wanted to reply in this thread to ask that you post your experience as it develops. My wife and I will be moving to Nova Scotia in the summer and I to am interested in earth bag building. I would love to hear how the process goes, share ideas or, if possible, help out.

The best advice I can give is that the local permit Office can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Engage them from the start. If you have researched the topic and show both the knowledge and the drive/ability to finish the project they will (most likely) enjoy guiding you on your build. If you walk in with only vague ideas or, if they think you don't have the resources or ability to finish something, they will stop you there as no one wants the half completed walls of dreams littering the landscape. If they have concerns or simply say "no" then it is easier to compromise/plead with them than it would be if someone surprised you with a stop work or demolition order. The worst thing you can do to bureaucrats is to make them feel useless, dumb or that you are attempting to mislead or sidestep them. They may be useless and dumb but there is power behind that title...

Either way: good luck!
Cheers,
Gregory