Earthen floors are the oldest type of flooring known to humanity, and a finely finished and sealed earthen floor still has great appeal and applicability in our contemporary world. In this course, you will learn how to create a durable and beautiful earthen floor that can be constructed with gravel, sand, and clay. Part of the beauty of these floors is their simplicity and ease of construction, requiring a minimal cost and basic skill with the materials. At the same time, a properly-built earthen floor provides a solid surface that protects against moisture penetration and heat loss from below and offers a pleasing, long-lasting, water-repellent surface above. Through lecture, presentation, field trips, and hands-on demonstration projects, we will explore the basic recipes and techniques of building an earthen floor, and how they can be successfully integrated into a variety of building designs.

Course start time:  Day 1, 9am
Course end time:  Day 2, 5pm

  • Competency Level: Beginner to Intermediate
  • AIA credits: 14 -- Qualifies for HSW and SD requirements.

Day 1

AM: Introduction to materials and methodology
Soil analysis exercise

PM: Rough floor installation
Presentation: Earthen Floor Logistics - Heat, Moisture, Maintenance

Day 2

AM: Finish floor installation
Alis production and application
Discussion: Finishing options

PM: Floor finishing: oil/wax finish, hard sealer finish, silicate finish
Final recap and graduation

 

Start Date: June 2, 2011
Closed