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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>hello all,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>we have had a mixed bag with our various (12)
earthen floor approaches. If at all possible do as large a sample as you
can (2 square meters +). our most successful combinations have been with a
significantly stable sub floor. Bill steen showed us a version he has used with
crushed rock (>1cm including the fines) mixed with just enough clay slip to
bind it together. I'm using this now on my new Cob office and am really excited
about the stability and tooth it will give to the mix (basically high straw
earth plaster) that I'm putting on top. The Linseed oil seems to work well in
the multiple penetrating layers technique though I'm of mixed mind about what
the final finish is. I'm concerned about sealing the moist floor and linseed oil
in - we've seen mold under plants or a section of plastic on the bottom of
furniture and I think it was trapped moisture with the linseed oil. We've used
commercial carnuba floor wax, AFM Hardseal, and mexe-seal, and a host of others
with moderate success. I'm concerned about sealing the moist floor and linseed
oil in - we've seen mold under plants or a section of plastic on the bottom of
furniture and I think it was trapped moisture with the linseed oil. I'm also
concerned about water penetrating the floor from moping and plants that could
weaken the upper surface. In my office I'll use what we cook up (raw linseed
oil, carnuba, and beeswax) for a finish that will hopefully be a good balance of
water impervious and slightly vapor permeable. one other caution; several
clients have wanted really deep burgundy floors (harkening back to the blood
stabilized dung floors of Africa and elsewhere without knowing it). we've
used iron oxide pigments in floors and it can leave a weak crust on the surface
that the oil fails to penetrate well and has started flaking up in one house we
did.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>anyway just some input on a subject that needs more
research and sharing of techniques.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Good Luck</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Tim</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>p.s. the Steen's earthen floor booklet is a good
starting point. Pay attention, test as much as you can, and share the
results.</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=a.berg@enerhaugen... href="mailto:a.berg@enerhaugen...">Arild
Berg</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=strawbale@amper....muni.cz
href="mailto:strawbale@amper....muni.cz">strawbale@amper....muni.cz</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, August 12, 2002 1:28
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Strawbale] earthen
floors</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Hello Chug!<BR><BR>Rolf Jacobsen, GAIA Tjøme has built an
"earthen" floor (clay upon leca - i guess) in his architect office.
<BR>He has tried to make it for the nordic conditions with cold climate
(Norway).<BR><BR>His email address:<BR><BR><A
href="mailto:Rolf@gaiaarkitekter...">Rolf@gaiaarkitekter...</A><BR><BR>Good
luck!<BR><BR>Arild<BR><BR><BR>on 05.08.02 15:10, chug at <A
href="mailto:chug@ntlworld...">chug@ntlworld...</A> wrote:<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>Greetings bale
believers,<BR> I
have been in contact with a lady who would like to know more on
mud/clay/earthen floor construction,<BR>If anyone has experience in this
type of floor or knows of a good source of info please contact me
</FONT></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Chug@ntlworld...</FONT><FONT
size=2><FONT face=Arial> <BR>regards Chug.<BR></FONT></FONT><BR><FONT
size=2><FONT face=Arial>P.S. Keep spreading the
word!<BR></FONT></FONT><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>