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Aesthetically
Pleasing - Earth Block buildings can be made to look
like any kind of finished structure, however, most people who opt
for this type of construction find they love the look of the block
itself and the adobe look of a finish plaster. Exteriors typically
are given a weather-resistant skin which can be colored or left natural
and interiors plastered with a variety of mixtures or left exposed.
Arches and rounded corners are an
option that allow for flexibility in design. They have a look and
a feel that envelops their occupants and blends beautifully with the
natural world.
- Cost
and Energy Efficient - Probably the most impressive
and important selling point of Earth Block building is the incredible
energy savings the owner will be awarded throughout the life of the
building. The thermal mass quality alone
defines the strongest attribute of Earth Block and can be spelled out
in energy savings to the owner... which means the community saves as
well. Energy efficiency can also be realized in the construction process
itself. Earth Blocks are made on-site saving in transportation costs
and fuel consumption and require little energy in the block making process.
- Fire
and Pest Resistant - Can this be more timely? Many parts
of the US and other parts of the world are experiencing drought conditions
resulting in horrendous wildfires. Thousands of homes in the US west
alone have been lost to wildfires in just one year. Doesn't it seem
crazy not to build with a fire resistant and in many cases, fire-proof,
building material? Earth Block is fire, bullet, sound and bug resistant
to the point of being considered "proofed." What better way
to build than with a material that fights the ravages of mother nature
without contributing to her degradation?
- Virtually
Soundproof - Earth Block is so dense a building material
that occupants are "shut off" from the outside world. So much
so that sound recording studios have been built with pressed block for
that very quality. Earth block buildings create their own world on the
inside which most people find is an added bonus.
- Non-Toxic
- Block making itself is a non-toxic process, therefore,
the buildings themselves are clean. Often, man-made ingredients of modern
construction set up an environment that is filled with toxic chemicals
and gases. Earth Block is a frequently chosen material for home construction
for those people suffering from chemical sensitivity. It's a win-win
for both occupant and the community when new buildings are constructed
with earth-friendly materials. Please note there many other "modern
adobe" blocks stabilized with asphalt and are not to be considered
as non-toxic.
- Durable
- When you consider that the oldest structures standing
throughout the world today are made of earth, the statement that Earth
Block is durable speaks for itself.
- Uses
Available and Abundant Raw Materials - Three ingredients
make up the right combination of dirt used for great Earth Block: sand,
clay and a small amount of aggregate material which is combined with
a small percentage of Portland cement. The only other ingredient needed
for wall construction is water (to make the mud slurry that binds the
blocks together). Simple.
- Made
On-Site - No waiting involved! That's a plus when your
builder is ready to start. There is no drying time to consider (as with
regular adobe), no transportation issues and every block is approved,
or not, as it comes off the machine at the jobsite.
- Environmentally
Friendly - When you consider the attributes listed above,
the underlying theme is that building with Earth Block is environmentally
friendly. From the construction of the block itself to the finished
product, this is a way to build that benefits everyone.
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