You are welcome to build your house out of anything, including Legos, as long as:
- It passes building inspection by the Juab County building inspector. He follows the International Building Code which requires a residence to handle a snow load of 30 pounds per square foot, and a wind load of 115mph (other areas of Utah require as high as 150mph).
- You don’t freeze in the Winter or cook in the Summer. This requires about 40 to 50 R-value in the walls and 80 to 90 in the ceiling.
- Your home doesn’t shadow your neighbors’ solar panels.
Be aware that:
- We’ve heard a rumor that car tires in earth-ships have been found to off-gas unhealthy fumes.
- There are building methods that result in a home that can remain 65 to 75 degrees year-round, without having to bury them underground. For example, many of us are building double-walled stick-built homes with a half-inch gap between the walls. Built properly, this achieves the necessary R-values.
Jesse Fisher Answered question