James Thomson

Sukita Reay Crimmel

The essential guide to making, installing and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floors – now fully revised and updated

This full-color guide includes complete step-by-step instructions for installing your own earthen floors as well as the history, use, and maintenance of this beautiful, durable, non-toxic flooring material. Updated to reflect current best practices, it is the only resource of its kind, widely recognized as an essential tool for anyone wanting to work with this beautiful and environmentally friendly construction method.

From sourcing and processing raw materials to applying the final finish, each stage of this exciting technique is demystified. Topics include:

 • The story of earthen floors through the ages and their role in modern green building

 • Tips and tools for site preparation, mixing, pouring, burnishing, sanding, oiling, sealing, and more

 • Recipes and ratios for the ideal earthen floor mix, subfloor insulation and vapor barrier options, and how to achieve the perfect pour

 • Beyond the basics – inlays, color washes, prints, patterns, alternative fibers, and other creative options

 • Radiant heat, electric wire heated floors, and other improvements for cooler climates

 • Updated resources section with suggestions for tool and material suppliers.

Packed with new in-depth case studies and inspirational photographs, and drawing on the collective knowledge of the most qualified and experienced practitioners, Earthen Floors, Second Edition is a must-read for natural builders, homeowners, architects, contractors, and DIY enthusiasts.

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