Earth Home Plans
Earth home plans, otherwise known as Earth sheltering; have been around for as long as humans have been building shelters. They utilize the very structure of the earth itself as part of the floor plan.
Earth home plans are homes that utilize the structure of the earth as part of the home. Most traditional homes are built above the Earth, but Earth home plans are built into the Earth. There are three main types of Earth home plans. The first is an underground home. In these homes, the entire house exists below the ground. In-hill construction is a home where only one wall is exposed. The rest of the home is built into the side of a hill. Earth berming home plans have dirt piled up along the walls. The roof might not be covered, and there might be windows that are not covered as well.
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Although Earth home plans are not very popular in the United States, there are many benefits to his type of home. Because the Earth maintains a fairly steady temperature, the house is also kept at a fairly steady temperature. This helps in both heating and cooling the house. Not only are energy bills reduced, but it is also appeals to those seeking to maintain a more "green" home. Earth home plans also allow the top ground to remain in its original state. The land above the home can be used to grow a garden. Earth homes are private and are kept away from the noise of the surrounding areas.
An Earth home plan has to be carefully determined. The climate of the area and the topography of the land will help determine what type of plan is best. Climates that have very hot summers and cold winters benefit greatly from the steady temperatures associated with Earth homes. It is important to determine what type of moisture will be a consideration in your home plan. Areas with high humidity can cause problems with too much condensation. Wind can be both beneficial, in terms of ventilation, but also harmful because of wind chill.
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Perhaps the most important thing to consider in Earth home plans is the soil. The soil has to be able to drain properly, as well as be able to bear the weight of the home. If the soil is not strong enough, retaining walls might need to be constructed. The best type of soil is a mixture of sand and gravel.
Earth home plans are popular in Australia and have also seen success in China. Although they are not fairly common in the United States, there are some famous examples. Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, built a 66,000 square foot Earth home for his residence. It is built into the side of a hill.