Earth.   The original building material.  

The newest building material in the Treasure Valley is also the oldest building material known to man.   Much of the world's population still live and work in earth structures - some of them 100's, even a 1000 years old.   These buildings still perform as well today as they did when they were first built.   Well designed Rammed Earth structures are cool when it's hot outside and warm when it's cold outside. If they weren't, they would have been abandoned long ago.

That is what Rammed Earth structures are about. They moderate the indoor climate by working with the natural cycles of the outdoors climate. It was these qualities that first attracted Paul Lamon to Rammed Earth over 25 years ago. He was intrigued by the idea of using elements taken directly from our surroundings and reshaping them into a natural, comfortable home.   Rammed Earth, better than any other material, offers this simple, efficient elegance.

Rammed Earth is an ancient building technique with a modern twist. We use
a carefully controlled mixture of soil types, supplemented with 3-10%
Portland cement. This mix is slightly moistened then poured into wide
forms where it is compacted pneumatically. The result is a man-made
sandstone wall. Source soils, cement ratios and dyes can be manipulated
to create a variety of colors. Pouring technique, compacting methods and
embedded materials can be used to create a variety of textures and
patterns. All these factors, your vision and Idaho Earth Builders
expertise ensure that each wall is a unique work of functional – and
sometimes fanciful - art.

Benefits of Rammed Earth? Rammed Earth is comfortable, quiet and cost effective. Idaho Earth Builders Rammed Earth walls store energy when it is available and give it back – for free - when it is needed. The warmth of the low winter sun is stored through the day and given back through the night. In summer, the cool of the night is stored and returned during the warm days when the sun is high and the walls are shaded. Whether wrapped around you or defining an outdoor living space, Idaho Earth Builders Rammed Earth walls create a comfortable, relaxing space. Our walls are not only beautiful and comfortable, they are massive, solid and secure – creating a quiet, serene living space.

Rammed Earth walls use the ‘thermal fly-wheel’ effect to cool and warm your home year after year. While they may cost a little more to build in the beginning, they will pay you back for as long as you own your home.

How does a Rammed Earth wall work?

Typical insulation resists the transfer of thermal energy - heat or cold.   The level of resistance of a material is its R-value.   Earth walls also resist a change in temperature, but unlike typical insulation a Rammed Earth wall also stores thermal energy.   It is this quality that allows an earth wall to have a low R-value yet still provide a superior level of comfort.

It's called the 'fly-wheel effect' and it's free. You felt it the last time you walked barefoot on your patio.   Maybe the evening was cold but your patio was toasty warm.   Or perhaps the morning was warm and your patio was refreshingly cool.   Rammed Earth walls work the same way. Think of Rammed Earth walls as 'thermal batteries'.

Summer cool - As the sun rides high on the horizon a shaded wall stays cool through the day, only slowly absorbing heat from the air instead of directly from exposure to the sun.   All day long that cool wall is helping to keep the interior of the house cool as well.   At night when the air cools the wall gives that heat back and cools down again, ready for the next day's cycle.

Winter warm - In the winter the sun passes lower on the horizon.   The same wall that was shaded from a high summer sun now gets full exposure to those warming rays.   Throughout the day the wall stores up thermal energy and then gives it back to the house slowly throughout the cold night.  

Rammed Earth is Comfortable , Quiet and Cost Effective

Comfort - It goes beyond the physical.   Yes, a quality Rammed Earth home will keep you warm and cool.   But it will do much more than that.   Owners of Rammed Earth homes often speak of the security, the peace of mind they feel from those thick, solid walls wrapped around them.   Rammed Earth creates a sanctuary you just can't get with 2x4's, gypsum and fiberglass. And consider what you don't get with Rammed Earth - the chemicals, fumes and particulates from processed lumber, fiberglass, drywall, paint and wallpaper.   In addition to all its other advantages, Rammed Earth creates a healthy environment.

Quiet - If you live in a 'stick-frame' house, you probably know - even feel it - every time someone slams a door.   Maybe you can identify your neighbors from the sound of their cars passing out front.   And you always know when there's a load of laundry going.   Now, imagine two feet of solid rock between you and all those sounds.   That's the serenity of living in a Rammed Earth home.

Cost Effective - "What does it cost?"   For most people, that's the main question.   And most of us are thinking only of the initial cost of the home - the 'square-foot' cost.   If that's all you want to know you can stop reading after the next sentence.   It costs more.   Now, if you're still reading you're probably still curious how it can 'cost more' but still be more 'cost effective'    It can cost more to build a Rammed Earth home.   But it will cost less to own .   

When we think of the total cost of a home we have to include the total cost to operate, maintain, and live - comfortably - in that home.   Too often, this is an afterthought.   And, to be honest, if you only intend to live in a Rammed Earth home for a few years and then move on, you probably will not see the benefit in terms of dollars - though you will still reap all the rewards of security, serenity and comfort.

The true dollar value of owning a Rammed Earth home is realized month by month, year by year in the simplicity of maintenance (no painting, no dry rot, no termites) and in the energy efficiency of heating and cooling the home.   The fly-wheel effect of those thermal battery walls will store free energy when it's available - coolness or warmth - and give it back when it's needed.

What do Rammed Earth walls look like?

The easiest and most accurate description of Rammed Earth is it is man-made sandstone.   As with sandstone, the process of ramming simulates the buildup of layers of earth (or strata) over eons.   Think of the walls of the Grand Canyon and you'll get the idea.

Unlike nature that must work with what is at hand, we can choose colors, thicknesses and shapes of each layer or we can make all layers the same.   We can create recesses (nichos in the traditional vernacular) or embed decorative shapes or items in the surface of the walls.   If you can imagine it, we'll do our best to create it.   Whether simple or extravagant, each wall is unique and is truly a custom work of art.

An Idaho Earth Builders Rammed Earth home is an heirloom.