If you are not satisfied with the construction techniques mentioned before, you might want to consider alternative construction methods. Some of these methods are ages old and recently rediscovered; others have become viable and more widely available by recent technological improvements. There is a wide variety of such alternative construction methods, among them being the following two viable options:
Straw bale homes
Straw bale constructions has a great ability to create highly energy-efficient homes. After the bales are stacked into walls, they are coated outside with an earth-based material and inside with plaster, and then finished as any other home.
Such homes usually have thick walls and gently rounded arches. They offer their owners great efficiency and a quiet interior. Bales resist damage from fire, mainly because of their density. Insects don’t seem to be a problem and moisture issues aren’t of great concern as long as the bales are well dried before construction and kept dry until they are finished on the exterior.
Rammed earth homes
Rammed (or stabilized) earth homes use a natural material to create a cozy home with thick walls. In this type of construction, your wall contractor mixes screened (sifted) soil with cement and water, and then pours it into wall forms built on your site. The crew then uses pneumatic tampers to compress the earth mixture in the form. After the mixture sets, the forms are removed and the 18- to 24-inch walls are complete. The walls can be left as is, colored with pigments, or sealed with stucco.
Due to their thick, solid walls, rammed earth homes enjoy increased energy efficiency and quiet interiors. Solid, natural material walls paired with a heating system that doesn’t require blowing air provides an ideal home for those with heightened sensitivity to chemicals or synthetics.
A great advantage of such homes is that raw materials are widely available and very cheap, but the labor involved adds to the home’s cost.
Tips for Choosing Alternative Construction Methods
If you decide to employ an alternative construction method or material for your custom home, there are some things that need to be done in order to make the process easier, such as:
- Do as much research as possible. Look for magazines and books describing the process.
- Get help. Enlist the aid of experienced builders or suppliers.
- Attend workshops and seminars. Many producers or building schools offer workshops and seminars, which are particularly valuable if your home will be a do-it-yourself project. Knowing in advance if you have the skills and persistence to tackle the job is better than finding out too late.
- Look online. The Internet provides a lot of information on an array of alternative construction methods.
Moreover, you can find financing for a home built with alternative construction materials. Start by talking with the company that’s helping you build the home. Its previous clients have faced the same situation, and they may be able to offer sound advice. You can also search online for lenders who frequently make construction loans. Having complete plans for your alternative construction, information on the building system from an experienced builder or home producer, and a clear idea of the costs of your project can help ease a lender’s mind and make your project that much more appealing to a loan underwriter.