Step-by-Step Earthbag Building

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Are you considering a new space for storage? As preppers, we are often considering another shed or maybe even a root cellar for storage. 

You can go buy one of those prefabs from the local hardware store. These are made of plastic or thin metal and the reason they are cheap is that they are cheaply made! 

There is a building craze that has hit the mainstream and is being used all over the world to creating things like schools and even underground bunkers! Its called earthbag building and it’s truly outstanding. 

What are Earthbags?

Earthbags are polypropylene bags that are filled with dirt and used to stack, masonry style, to create walls and structures. They are highly insulated and when built properly are even effective against light ballistics. 

For the cost of a level, barbed wire and the bags you can build a structure of your own! 

Filling

You might bring in a load of dirt or use dirt that you dig out of a site on the property. The bags are filled and closed up to keep the dirt from coming out. Think of each bag as a single brick.

Stacking

You are going to use two lines of barbed wire between your layers of earthbag bricks. This is used to keep the bags in place even under rough conditions. Earthbag structures have stood up to the same shakes tests that buildings are tested under.

Leveling 

As you complete a layer you are going to want to be sure that the collection of bags is level. Each level should be checked.

Finishing

If you are burying the bags you might not find it necessary to finish the outside of the bags. However, many people use stucco to coat the bags and create a finish that gives these earthbag structures their unique look. 

Earthbags are an incredible DIY project for preppers!