DIY Earthbag Shelter

Earthbag shelters are eco-friendly and energy efficient. They make ideal hunting cabins or bug out shelters. An earthbag house is a cost-effective method for a shelter since you'll be bagging the dirt you're digging out.

A basic earthbag shelter could cost as little as $3,000 if you're willing to do much of the work yourself. Many of the materials for the house can be recycled from thrift stores bought at a discount from the local home goods store.

Here is a how-to guild for building your very own earthbag shelter.

 DIY Earthbag Shelter 

1. Dig a 4-foot trench around where the walls will be.
2. Fill the trench with gravel and tamper it down. This will act as the foundation.
3. Ensure the foundation is level.
4. Fill the first 3 layers of bags with gravel for drainage.
5. Run two strand of barbed wire in between each layer to connect them bags together.
6. Tamper each layer in place.
7. Build a door frame and place in the desired location on the wall.
8. Layer more bags, then add windows at the desired location on the wall.
9. Shelves can be placed directly into the way by leaving a board to overhang between the layers.
10. Place a beam over the windows and doors to strengthen them.
11. Add large beams on top to support the roof.
12. The roof should overhang the shelter to allow for rain runoff.
13. Cover the roof plywood.
14. Layer with cardboard for added installation.
15. Add a layer of 6-millimeter ploy and use waterproof tape to join the sheets if necessary.
16. Place insulation in the bags and fill the gaps in the roof joists.
17. Cover the exterior and interior walls in chicken wire. This will hold the plaster.
18. Plaster the wall with lime or earth render, this will allow moisture to pass through the walls.
19. Install energy efficient windows.
20. Tamper the floor, then add a layer of brick or stone.
21. Add a wood burning stove and a generator or solar panels.
22. Frame and finish the interior space.
23. Install a kitchen and utilities.
24. Add food storage and bunk beds.
25. Don't forget the comforts of home, you might be there for a while.