[GSBN] earthen floors

[Tracy Thieriot]

So how do we take all of these testimonials and fine knowledge and address the reporter?  Of course encouraging a longer, more researched article. 

Tracy Thieriot
Tactile Plastering
707-621-1484cell
www.tactileplastering.com

www.ochresandoxides.com

Quoting Graeme North <graeme at ecodesign.co.nz>: 

> I reckon that John has it absolutely right about reported health benefits of concrete  - I also feel much better when I get up away from the stuff -  
>
>
> The positive effect of earth is very apparent when you walk on an earth floor  after being on a "c"  floor . After all, an earth floor is the only floor type that  I have ever seen where people take off their shoes, take a few steps, and then burst out smiling! 
>
>
> Not to mention a character who came to my place, said "Is this an earth floor?" and then got down and kissed it!  (and No, he was not the Pope.)  
>
>
> I would have stopped him if course if I had known that this was such risky behaviour!
>
>  - As you can see, I do not like the use of the "c" word when talking about floors.  Why use the "c" stuff anywhere you don't need to?  Keep it for where it is best used carefully in well-engineered high-strength applications. 
>
>
> I've been making earthen floors for years - in various ways - either mud bricks laid up in earth mortar, or packed-in earth with an earth plaster. The addition of cow pooh in the last layer adds a marvelous silky feeling.  
> Sealing with linseed oil (up to 4 litres per sq.m.) has worked really well unless humidity gets high when the floor can absorb moisture and turn sticky, so I now prefer to use tung oil as it forms more cross links as it dries performs better. 
>
>
> An anti-capillary layer of compacted stone underneath, which might also be pumice if you want extra insulation, and a damp proof membrane of polythene not only prevents the ingress of water vapour, (which can have considerable pressure under a floor slab in some conditions) but also keep out radon it that is a concern. 
>
>
> The reported earth floor health troubles from what i am guessing are damp and/or dusty and  poorly made floors strike me as an attempt to denigrate glorious mud. How dare they!   
>
> And yes - isn't this network great - horray!    Thanks everyone.  As I have dealt with some serious health issues myself  it is one of the few contacts I have kept up.  
>
> Graeme "Mud Hut" North 
>
> Graeme North Architects 
> 49 Matthew Road 
> RD1 
> Warkworth 
> tel/fax +64 (0)9 4259305 
>
> graeme at ecodesign.co.nz 
> www.ecodesign.co.nz[1]
>
> On 7/01/2012, at 8:38 AM, John Swearingen wrote:
>
>
> > Actually, despite Bob's touchy-feel-y analysis, I do recognize the health benefits of concrete floors.  Every time I'm feeling a bit ill, the first thing I'll do is lay out on a concrete slab. It seems to have mystical healing qualities, because no matter how bad I feel, I get right up almost as soon as I've laid down! 
> >
> >
> > John "Rebar Baron" Swearingen 
> >
> > On Fri, Jan 6, 2012 at 11:30 AM, Bob Theis <bob at bobtheis.net> wrote:
> >
> >
> > > > > I don't see the point of the work and complexity
> > > > > involved in earthen floors - other than the pleasure involved in pointing at
> > > > > the floor and saying it is dirt.
> > >
> > > It's equivalent to the point of the work and complexity of a parquet floor; the wood patterns delight the eye, and an earthen floor delights the feet.   
> > >
> > >
> > > Much of what we are doing in this movement is recognizing where tactile pleasures lie in the built environment, and resurrecting some that we have lost. If you want to be technical, we like the stuff beneath our feet to be resilient. Concrete is not. Earth floors are that, but something more. What could feel more natural than earth beneath your feet? Simple as that.   
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > > GSBN at sustainablesources.com
> > > http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/GSBN
> >
> > -- 
> > John Swearingen
> > Skillful Means Design & Construction
> > 2550 9th Street   Suite 209A
> > Berkeley, CA   94710
> > 510.849.1800 phone
> > 510.849.1900 fax
> >
> > Web Site:  http://www.skillful-means.com
> > Blog:         https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com
> > _______________________________________________
> > GSBN mailing list
> > GSBN at sustainablesources.com
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Links:
------
[1] http://www.ecodesign.co.nz
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