Best Retaining Wall Contractors in Grande Prairie, AB

Stabilized rammed earth homes are above and beyond the structural standards of a conventional residential home. Most conventional homes are timber framed, the upfront cost of a timber framed home can be more affordable but the costs over time will increase. Some examples of how rammed earth homes save you more money over time are:

Rammed earth is imperfect, and some believe this is what makes it so beautiful. Some visual imperfections may include shrinkage cracking and cold joints. Shrinkage cracks are non-structural and are part of the curing process; as rammed earth cures, moisture evaporates from the walls causing them to shrink and slightly crack. Some people may notice cold joints in the product and may mistake it for a structural deformity. Cold joints form when the lower portion of the wall is finished and must cure for a length of time. After the lower section of the wall is cured and the construction is commenced for the next section (above the cured section), a cold joint can be seen between the two sections. This joint is not a structural deformity and does not effect the integrity of the product.

Insulated rammed earth walls are typically 18 inches thick. Depending on the application or product, the walls can vary from 4 inches to 24 inches thick.

ICF is a concrete forming system which requires finishing on the exterior and interior of the walls. ICF results in the on-going maintenance that comes with whatever interior and exterior finishing products used. Rammed Earth has no maintenance once completed and does not endure any damage resulting from the environment.