Still doing my homework on what type of house the fiance and I want. I have questions for you who live in earth shelter homes. How old is your home? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it? Would you build one again? What would you do different? Anything else you can think of I should know? We've been reading books, but that is not as good as hearing from those who have experience. I appreciate all the help everyone gives me on my housing inquiries. Thanks

-- debra in ks (solid-dkn@msn.com), March 12, 2001

Answers

Don't know too much about earth sheltered homes, other than one friend up in Harvard, IL had one. Her biggest complaint was that she'd wake up and not realize there was a huge storm outside.... Guess that speaks wonders for the design, though, lol!!!!!

The post is for another suggestion.... My husband and I are going to build a straw-bale house. It will be timber framed, so that I can have huge view windows on the south side (lucky enough to find a south-facing slope!!!!!!) Any way, we will be putting on a log facade as time and money permit. The best of two of the worlds, anyway!!

If you want more info, just email me -

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 13, 2001.

Three years old. Love everything about it. If I were to do it again, I'd build it one floor, instead of two. Then the whole thing would be earth sheltered, rather than just the downstairs. I'd also, with a one story desing, put three or four inches of soil on the roof, just to be able to grow a ground cover up there, to keep it cool in summer. (not that the way it is now gets particularly hot)

Only real drawback I can see to earth sheltered building is its cost. And I believe the cost will be made up by lower utility bills.

JOJ

-- jumpoff joe (jumpoff@ecoweb.net), March 14, 2001.

I designed an underground style home back in 1980 after seeing what Rob Roy (of underground/logend fame)built not far from me. Bought his first book on it and went from there. Dug into the hillside, used big white pine in the post & beam framework that supports the cathedral ceiling (15' at peak). It was started with $5000, alot of work & build-as-you-have the money method. It has sod on the roof, big windows facing SW viewing a beautiful vista here in the Adirondack Mts. Have always burned wood..heats very efficiently & easily...is naturally cooled in summer. If I was to build again, I'd do it the same way but rerarrange the space alittle differently. (I was married with kids at the time..now single). If you have anymore questions, fire away. Layne

-- Layne Rielly-Cosgrove (adirondackwoman@westelcom.com), March 16, 2001.