Richly illustrated in full-color, Earthen Floors, Second Edition covers step-by-step instructions for installing your own earthen floors, as well as the history, use, and maintenance of this beautiful, durable, non-toxic flooring material. Updated to reflect current best practices, this is the only resource of its kind.
The essential guide to making, installing and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floors – now fully revised and updated
This full-color guide includes complete step-by-step instructions for installing your own earthen floors as well as the history, use, and maintenance of this beautiful, durable, non-toxic flooring material. Updated to reflect current best practices, it is the only resource of its kind, widely recognized as an essential tool for anyone wanting to work with this beautiful and environmentally friendly construction method.
From sourcing and processing raw materials to applying the final finish, each stage of this exciting technique is demystified. Topics include:
- The story of earthen floors through the ages and their role in modern green building
- Tips and tools for site preparation, mixing, pouring, burnishing, sanding, oiling, sealing, and more
- Recipes and ratios for the ideal earthen floor mix, subfloor insulation and vapor barrier options, and how to achieve the perfect pour
- Beyond the basics – inlays, color washes, prints, patterns, alternative fibers, and other creative options
- Radiant heat, electric wire heated floors, and other improvements for cooler climates
- Updated resources section with suggestions for tool and material suppliers.
Packed with new in-depth case studies and inspirational photographs, and drawing on the collective knowledge of the most qualified and experienced practitioners, Earthen Floors, Second Edition is a must-read for natural builders, homeowners, architects, contractors, and DIY enthusiasts.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Section 1: About Earthen Floors
Chapter 1: The Story of Earthen Floors
Chapter 2: Understanding Earthen Floors
Section 2: Technical Information
Chapter 3: Tools
Chapter 4: Identifying, Gathering and Processing Materials
Chapter 5: Oil and Finish
Chapter 6: Making the Floor Mix
Chapter 7: The Subfloor
Chapter 8: Preparing the Work Area
Chapter 9: Pouring the Floor
Chapter 10: Applying Oil and Finish
Chapter 11: Living on, Maintaining, and Removing an Earthen Floor
Chapter 12: Color and Artistic Touches
Chapter 13: Options and Alternatives
Chapter 14: Contracting Earthen Floors
Chapter 15: Stories From the Field
Appendix A: Glossary
Appendix B: References
Appendix C: Resources
Appendix D: Building a Compacted Gravel (On-Grade) Subfloor
Appendix E: Earthen Subfloors and Base Coats
Appendix F: Installing Radiant Floor Heat
Index
Sukita Reay Crimmel is considered one of the preeminent experts in the modern field of earthen floors. As well as presenting extensively on this exciting technique with organizations such as Aprovecho and Yestermorrow, she is the developer of Claylin the first commercially available ready-made earthen floor product in North America. Sukita holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental studies and architecture from the University of Oregon, and is co-author of the original edition of Earthen Floors. Sukita lives in Portland, Oregon.
James Thomson got his start with earth building in 2004, and since then has facilitated dozens of workshops and trainings in multiple states and countries, including Panama, Guatemala, Jamaica, India, and France. He also has a background in general construction and a driving desire to find ways to integrate natural building practices into more conventional modern homes. James has participated in many floor installations, both in workshop settings and for paying clients. He has lived on (or near) earthen floors for most of the past two decades and is co-author of the original edition of Earthen Floors. James lives in Williamsburg, MA.
