A solid foundation creates a solid structure and solid structures withstand the test of time. Since time immemorial, people of different races have used a process of building—known as rammed earth—that has created some of today’s most formidable constructions. Namely the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, the city of Ait-Ben-Haddou in Morocco, the Great Wall of China, the remarkable Machu Pichu in Peru, and many other ancient structures. Wouldn’t it be remarkable to have your own home or your place of business endures as long as those structures?
While there are blogs or websites dedicated to encouraging people to build their own rammed earth home, it would be best to leave the job up to experienced rammed earth builders. This is to guarantee that your home or your commercial building gets all the benefits of rammed earth construction: strength and durability, cost-effectiveness, fire- and pest-proof, low maintenance, sustainability, and compelling beauty.
In rammed earth building, a mixture of soil is compacted in layers between forms. Each form is filled and compacted with pneumatic rammers. The entire process continues up until the required height is achieved. A number of builders in Australia add cement to the mixture, which results in stabilised rammed earth. While the technique basically utilises dirt, builders of rammed earth need to locate the proper soil. In order for the technique to provide an ecologically sound and sturdy home, a reputable builder does screen soil samples for shrinkage and future damage, ensuring that a rammed earth home does indeed shelter its occupants for many decades to come.
When you’re selecting a rammed earth builder, make sure that they do the proper soil testing before using the material for your construction project. Experienced and duly licensed builders also continually improve their techniques for construction and use the latest technology to guarantee that you get an energy-efficient and eco-friendly home or commercial space.
Most builders will also work with a good number of architects and engineers. So if you haven’t got an idea just yet about the features and the layout you’d like for your home or commercial building, an experienced builder will be able to put you in touch with the right people.
Your home or place of business doesn’t necessarily have to be as large-scale or immense as the Potala Palace or the Machu Picchu. Your rammed earth structure could be as simple as a semi-detached two-bedroom home or a small retail store. Whatever type of house or commercial space you have in mind, choose reliable rammed earth builders to do the job and you will have an enduring and breathtaking structure for many, many years to come.