Jon Nunan - The Complete Guide to Alternative Home Building Materials & Methods: Including Sod, Compressed Earth, Plaster, Straw, Beer Cans, Bottles, Cordwood, and Many Other Low Cost Materials

Including Sod, Compressed Earth,
Plaster, Straw, Beer Cans, Bottles, Cordwood,
and Many Other Low Cost Materials

By Jon Nunan

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALTERNATIVE HOME BUILDING MATERIALS & METHODS: INCLUDING SOD, COMPRESSED EARTH, PLASTER, STRAW, BEER CANS, BOTTLES, CORDWOOD, AND MANY OTHER LOW COST MATERIALS

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Nunan, Jon, 1978

The complete guide to alternative home building materials & methods : including sod, compressed earth, plaster, straw, beer cans, bottles, cordwood, and many other low cost materials / by Jon Nunan.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60138-245-0 (alk. paper)

ISBN-10: 1-60138-245-6 (alk. paper)

1. Ecological houses--Materials. 2. Dwellings--Environmental aspects. 3. House construction--Cost control. 4. Green products. 5. Waste products as building materials. 6. House construction--Materials. 7. Appropriate technology. I. Title.

TH4860.N86 2009

690.8--dc22

2008035306

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Printed in the United States

We recently lost our beloved pet Bear, who was not only our best and dearest friend but also the Vice President of Sunshine here at Atlantic Publishing. He did not receive a salary but worked tirelessly 24 hours a day to please his parents. Bear was a rescue dog that turned around and showered myself, my wife, Sherri, his grandparents Jean, Bob, and Nancy, and every person and animal he met (maybe not rabbits) with friendship and love. He made a lot of people smile every day.

We wanted you to know that a portion of the profits of this book will be donated to The Humane Society of the United States. Douglas & Sherri Brown

The human-animal bond is as old as human history. We cherish our animal companions for their unconditional affection and acceptance. We feel a thrill when we glimpse wild creatures in their natural habitat or in our own backyard.

Unfortunately, the human-animal bond has at times been weakened. Humans have exploited some animal species to the point of extinction.

The Humane Society of the United States makes a difference in the lives of animals here at home and worldwide. The HSUS is dedicated to creating a world where our relationship with animals is guided by compassion. We seek a truly humane society in which animals are respected for their intrinsic value, and where the human-animal bond is strong.

Want to help animals? We have plenty of suggestions. Adopt a pet from a local shelter, join The Humane Society and be a part of our work to help companion animals and wildlife. You will be funding our educational, legislative, investigative and outreach projects in the U.S. and across the globe.

Or perhaps youd like to make a memorial donation in honor of a pet, friend or relative? You can through our Kindred Spirits program. And if youd like to contribute in a more structured way, our Planned Giving Office has suggestions about estate planning, annuities, and even gifts of stock that avoid capital gains taxes.

Maybe you have land that you would like to preserve as a lasting habitat for wildlife. Our Wildlife Land Trust can help you. Perhaps the land you want to share is a backyardthats enough. Our Urban Wildlife Sanctuary Program will show you how to create a habitat for your wild neighbors.

So you see, its easy to help animals. And The HSUS is here to help.

2100 L Street NW Washington, DC 20037 202-452-1100
www.hsus.org

To Mom, Dad, and anyone else who would rather
raise a chicken than buy an egg.

The mounting pressure on Earths ecosystems through human activity is undeniable. In this era of global warming, peak oil, and declining biodiversity, it is clear we must find new ways to live so that future generations will also have accessible opportunities for a healthy life. However, our modern lifestyle is stifling our very chances for survival.

As individuals, one of the areas where we have the most control over energy and resource use is in our homes. Whether building a new house or remodeling an existing one, we can make choices that will diminish our consumption of fossil fuels and lessen the emission of greenhouse gasses, while preserving precious water, forests, and other resources.