What is Rammed Earth Construction & Why Use This Unique Option?
In the quest for sustainable, high-efficiency, and attractive construction methods and materials in Saskatchewan, Canada, you can now use rammed earth. Rammed earth is growing in popularity for residential, commercial, and specialty work in North America and many areas of the world. While the name might seem self-explanatory, a true description involves much more than what you might expect. If you are interested in building a new home, business, signage, stone address marker, fireplace, water feature, or impressive accent for any of the same, rammed earth may give you the look, feel, and benefits you desire.
What Is Rammed Earth?
Even though you may have never heard of this eco-building technique before, rammed earth has been around since the dawn of construction. Originally, it involved ramming dirt, aggregate, and adequate clay in to forms that define the edges of the wall or structure. Although the basics of the process has not changed much over the years, modern engineering practices and building codes have updated the craft to a science. Every rammed earth wall exists as a testament to the style and durability of modern green building methods.
Materials That Go Into Rammed Earth Walls
The most basic list of rammed earth construction materials includes clean subsoil with all sticks, leaves, and other organic masses removed, aggregates, cement or lime, iron rebar, and various waterproofing treatments. In exterior walls in cold climates, a core of rigid insulation is incorporated into the wall. If you are considering this type of building material for your Saskatchewan home or business, it helps to know more about why specific materials are chosen and benefits they bring to the finished results.
Aggregates –We choose local quarry-sourced aggregates, which may include sand, crushed stone, or gravel of various sizes , and clay.
Cement & Lime – These stabilizers help walls last indefinitely and improve compliance with construction regulations.
Iron Rebar –These structural materials form a sturdy skeleton inside the wall or other element and increases the tensile strength and reduces cracking.
Waterproofing Admixture – A non-toxic, silicone-based solution is added to the mix to provide an integral waterproofing effect.
Sealant – Interior walls may get an anti-dust sealant and exterior ones may be surface treated to increase their resistance to water.
To give walls and other elements a unique and natural style, iron oxide pigments are mixed into the earthen mix to create either a solid color or a spectacular layered look that mimics natural geology. This looks exceptionally stylish on an accent wall, for monument signage, or in landscape design. Of course, the walls also include insulation and all necessary conduits for utilities.
The Rammed Earth Construction Process
The site preparation part of the process does not differ much from traditional residential or commercial building, though project-specific engineering considerations will need to be applied to the foundation work to ensure a suitable base for the high mass walls.
Perhaps the most important part of the entire process involves creating the mixture of “earth” that forms the main material used in rammed earth construction. The mixture as described above is specifically formulated for maximum strength, durability, efficiency, and compliance with all Canadian building rules and regulations.
The construction process:
1. Builders create an appropriately reinforced concrete foundation for all walls and elements.
2. Sturdy forms are erected to define the edges of the walls of the rammed earth house or structure.
3. Rebar structure is installed for wall reinforcement.
4. Where applicable, rigid insulation, electrical conduits, and plumbing conduits are placed.
5. A layer of earth mixture is placed in the form and is tamped down with a pneumatic rammer till the mix reaches the density of stone.
6. The process continues until the feature wall is complete.
Why Choose Rammed Earth Construction?
The modern construction industry offers a wealth of options when it comes to building walls, entire structures, and specialty projects like signs and pillars. Before you make a final decision, consider all the benefits of something unique like all the options from a rammed earth builder.
This unique building techniques eliminates the need for multiple rounds of construction associated with separate crews and expenses for insulation, vapour barrier installation, drywall, painting, and exterior cladding. Everything is done at once, and you get seamless finished surfaces inside and out.
Rammed Earth Offers Natural Style and Ambience
Property owners who enjoy a more natural aesthetic could not get a better look than with walls made from the ground itself. While wood or stone masonry provides the illusion of nature, rammed earth presents the real thing in pure geological style. The impression only increases when the strategic use of pigments is used to create artistically layered designs that mimic amazing geological formations. It will look as if your home or business is carved from the very bones of the world.
From a practical standpoint, rammed earth walls offer exceptional acoustic dampening or soundproofing. This can increase enjoyment of the home and is especially useful in an office environment.
Update the look of your existing home with the rammed earth technique used only on one or more smaller elements. This process works well for landscape architecture, a unique fireplace surround, or even something as small as a backdrop for your house number signs. Commercial applications may include bold dividing walls, interior pillars, or free-standing signage at the entrance to the office park, shopping mall, or other venue.
Substantial Environmental Benefits of Rammed Earth
This type of construction not only looks natural, but it also offers a much more ecologically sound option for building in general. First, the aggregate materials are sourced locally which reduces the carbon footprint of transportation. Second, the aggregate is not washed like with other cement-based building methods. This cuts down dramatically on wasted water.
Finally, rammed earth walls last longer than any other type of common residential and commercial construction techniques except perhaps concrete. The higher the durability, the less frequently things need repairing or replacement. That is the very definition of sustainable building.
Long-Term Durability With Construction Compliance
Interest in environmentally friendly building materials and methods sometimes leads to highly unusual suggestions that may sound good on the surface but do not hold up to scrutiny. In fact, compliance with all regional Canadian building codes and regulations could be a problem for other methods. When it comes to rammed earth and the careful, multi-layered construction technique, you can rest assured that your home or business is compliant, legal, and built with quality.
A new look at rammed earth residential and commercial construction introduces modern regulatory compliance and a unique aesthetic to an age-old process that has stood the test of time. When it comes to energy efficient building practices and truly sustainable material sourcing, rammed earth presents a solution that more property owners are considering every day. From complete building projects to accent walls and architectural elements, rammed earth presents the perfect opportunity to accentuate your property with long-lasting style and efficiency.