Adobe Construction – cheap and naturally energy efficient

Adobe – or earth construction as some may call it – is one of the oldest building methods in the world. Since ever, humankind has used earth in various forms to build their homes. It has a huge number of benefits most of us modern people forgot about.

I only came to love this type of construction when working on a renovation project of an old town house in Portugal. Until then, when thinking of an earth house I had a very different picture in mind. It was something like a simple hut in an African village.

Adobe walls are naturally energy efficient and can be load bearing. Often, they are very thick, forming a natural insulation from the environmental heat or cold. Earth-based products are naturally sustainable because you are building with the materials that surround you.

Interestingly, approximately 30% of the world population lives in homes made of earth materials. That’s no wonder if you think of the many financial and environmental benefits. That’s why people like me, once we know about it, just love it. It is not only a far cheaper construction method but also has many other advantages compared with modern materials.

The composition of the adobe—or some may call it the recipe—vary according to country and local customs. Usually most of it is made of earth and or clay. Besides that, it can contain other materials like straw, maybe even small amounts of lime. Once I even read about that it can include horse hair. Not sure if this is true though.

There is even a thing they call Superadobe. It is also made from earth and organic materials heartened with lime, compressed into bags which are stacked on top of each other, each layer of bags separated by barbed wire. This method is perfect for seismically active areas.

What is adobe construction

Buildings made of Adobe are very similar to a rammed earth house. The only difference is that the earth was rammed into some sort of brick shape before it was used for the construction. Like this it is very easy to build walls with earth.

Special treatment for adobe construction

Please note that the right plaster is essential to be completely waterproof. You don’t want your wall to crumble apart after a few years. They are several products on the market that are perfect for adobe construction. We can use it for the first plaster on a new wall as well as fixing cracks in an old one. It is very important that the plaster lets the wall still breath.

Also, there can be a problem with raising damp in those buildings if they have no horizontal barrier to stop it. I saw a layer of bitumen sheet or a special plastic be put before the first layer of adobe bricks. Therefore, it is good to keep that in mind before you start building your house.

One historic local custom in my area was that the builders would leave an air gap under the house to avoid any raising damp. With some houses being well beyond 100 years now and showing no sign of any raising damp we can say that it is a truly successful method.

If you live in an earthquake zone it is also advisable to apply a net within the construction to give it better structural properties.

Adobe construction surprises

Probably the biggest surprise was when I found out that adobe was even used for the first modern architecture in Portugal. This is something I would always associate with concrete and steel.

It seems there is no limit to what you can build with it starting with simple garden walls, garages, sheds, houses and even apartment blocks.

Conclusion

Adobe Construction is naturally energy efficient and sustainable because you are building with the materials that surround you. With the right know-how it can give the same or even better comfort than a modern building method.

Bio

Our Property under 20k team are the founders of www.propertyunder20k.com and www.listproperty4free.com with the goal to search the cheapest real estate in the world and make it easy for others to find. The team is made up of landlords, real estate investors, architects and builders from several different countries.  We just love to have a good strong cup of coffee while we write our experiences in this blog.

Image by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay

7 Reasons Why Henderson Las Vegas Is A Nice Place To Live

Not more than 20 miles from Las Vegas is Henderson, the second biggest city in Nevada. Its large population of more than 282, 000 doesn’t limit the city from bagging the title of the safest in the United States. According to Forbes, this is attributed to the low poverty rate at seven percent, low car fatality, and low violent crimes. Additionally, Safewise.com ranks Henderson at number five for the low burglaries and larceny according to FBI crime reports.

Image credit: findmylasvegashome.com

Henderson has a lot to offer that make it a go-to city to live in as highlighted below.

Safety Place To Live

You can’t talk about the safest cities to live in and you ignore Henderson. Actually, the city has received numerous top rankings by Forbes and Safewise.com. The low crime rate in the city is attributed to factors like the Guard Gated communities. Here, there is a 24-hour security guard service. Additionally, communities have a low rental rate and restrictions to enforce security. 

Good Retirement Place

When you talk of Nevada, the first thing that comes to anyone’s mind is the immense gambling.  Well, it is not a bad idea to think of Henderson as a great spot for retirement despite the gambling proximity. This city has world-class amenities, exceptional medical facilities, backed by eye-catching scenery. All these come in handy to make your elderly years more enjoyable. Additionally, the city has various retirement homes including:

  • Prestige Assisted Living
  • Prestige Senior Living
  • Sunrise of Henderson
  • Pacifica Senior Living

Keep in mind that the monthly cost of assisted living in Henderson is $2.931 below the national average of $3.360. 

Immense Housing Options

The city has various properties with different designs, styles, and values for prospective buyers. A reputable site with best Henderson Las Vegas homes for sale (https://www.findmylasvegashome.com/city/henderson) is your next stop to find a property that suits your budget. Here, you have a chance to choose a simple or luxury property to match your preference. Housing options range from traditional homes to luxury apartments fitted with high-tech appliances.  Additionally, Henderson has various communities to allow selecting a neighborhood you like to settle in.

Educational Facilities

When looking for a city to raise a family, educational facilities are high on the list of requirements. Families with kids love this city for its outstanding educational facilities. Henderson is one of the best cities to raise your kids in the United States for its plenty of private and public educational institutions including preschools, academies, and universities. Some of the not-worthy educational institutions here include:

  • Black Mountain Academy and Preschool
  • GU Christian School
  • Lake Mead Christian Academy

Nature Lover’s Paradise

Away from gambling, Henderson is a great location for nature lovers (https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nevada/whitney-mesa-nature-preserve-nv/). Ranked among the most walkable US cities, this city has more than 52 parks of various sizes. There is no getting bored in Henderson. You can attend a concert, visit a gallery or attend a farmer’s market any time. There is a lot to do for everyone during free time. The Clark County Museum is here with the best history exhibitions in Las Vegas.

Animal lovers can check out the Lion Habitat Ranch, a unique place housing various big cats. You can visit Lake Las Vegas to enjoy some quality time on a weekend picnic. Cowabunga Bay Water Park is available for adrenaline junkies to enjoy extreme and fun-filled water slides. Sunset Station Casino or M Resort Casino are just a stone-throw away for gambling lovers.  Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area is for hike lovers and Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve for bird watching.

Good Place To Work

Despite employing more than144, 000 people and an average salary of $63,120, the economy of Henderson(https://www.nevadabusiness.com/2021/01/nevada-economic-forecast-2021/) is growing steadily. It is attracting more people of all ages to move into the region every day. The unemployment rate in this city recorded by April 2019 was at 3.4 percent below the national average of 3.6 percent. This is enough inspiration to attract people seeking job improvement whose talents are retained in the city in sectors including:

  • Retail trade
  • Education
  • Mass media
  • Hospitality
  • Real estate
  • Casinos

Some of the largest corporations offering employment in Henderson include Station Casinos, Barclays, Target, Good Humor-Breyers, Levis  Straus, and Ocean Spray Cranberries.

Active Lifestyle

Everyone deserves an active life regardless of whether you are retired or in the prime years of your life. And, Henderson is a great location to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle wherever you wish. The city has various sports facilities including running tracks, sports courts, and gyms. This is backed by easy access to world-class medical facilities. There is the presence of qualified and experienced doctors and nurses any time you have an emergency or need intervention.

Wrapping up

Regardless of your decision to move, Henderson is your go-to location. This city ranks high among the safest to live for retirees, parents, and singles. Apart from safety, there are various properties to match your budget for an opportunity to enjoy endless recreational options and job opportunities.

Bio

Eernesto T. Felder is a freelance writer, with 5+ years of experience in creating content for varied online portals and websites. He has expertise in writing about real estate, property buying guides and related topics.