Earthen Floors: A Modern Approach to an Ancient Practice

Good info, needs more details and sketches. Jake d. I am giving it 4 stars for lack of detail. Basically this book will sell you on the idea, teach you how to confirm you have the correct materials on site, help you figure out how to get the right materials if you don't have them, teach you how to place, teach you how to finish, and teach you how to care for your aging floor. Re. Susan Walch said I especially liked the information about color washes and sanding the floor. I have built several earthen floors. Sukita provides all the basic information if this is your first floor. It's essential reading. I especially liked the information about color washes and sanding the floor, I had never heard of either of these techniques and I will try them on my next floor.. "After reading this book you can build an earthen floor." according to A. Willis. This book gives solid details for building an earthen floor. I just finished reading it yesterday and am confident that I could follow the directions and use their method to produce a good looking earthen floor. The book gives details on what to do differently if installing the floor over a wood floor, concrete slab, or crushed

Earthen Floors: A Modern Approach to an Ancient Practice is the first comprehensive, fully illustrated manual covering the history, use, and maintenance of this attractive, practical flooring option. Drawing on the combined knowledge of the most qualified earthen floor practitioners, as well their own substantial experience, the authors deliver the definitive resource for this exciting technique, perfect for everyone from the novice to veteran builder.Sukita Reay Crimmel has installed over twenty thousand square feet of earthen flooring, and is one of the preeminent experts in the emerging field of earthen floors.James Thomson is part of House Alive, one of the leading natural building training organizations in the country.. All over the globe, these ancient traditions persist; a quarter to a third of the world's population today lives in houses built partially or entirely of earth. This detailed, fully illustrated guide explains every part of the process, including:Sourcing and harvesting materialsPreparing the subfloorPouring, finishing, and sealing the floorLiving with and maintaining your earthen floorBecause information on creating quality earthen floors was not previously widely available, there have been some negative experiences. Conventional Western building techniques using industrial materials may save time and create efficiencies, but these perceived savings come at considerabl

Next thing you do: buy this book, learn everything you need, and go make one yourself. Thank you Sukita and James for making this ancient treasure accessible to all."---Bruce King, PE, Director, Ecological Building Network"Earthen floors have long been shrouded in mystery Natural building enthusiasts have known about them and lusted after them, but despite the vast amount of natural building information produced in the past two decades, a tested and true treatise on earthen floors has been missing. No longer! This book is full of information, hard-won lessons learned and the real heart and spirit of natural building. "---David Eisenberg, Director, Development Center for Appropr