Our Blocks
BLOCK FACTS
Size: 12” x ~8” x 4”
Weight: ~27 lbs.
4-6% Portland cement
800-1,000 psi compression strength
90 blocks/pallet
Our dirt blocks are stabilized compressed earth blocks, also known as stabilized CEBs or CSEBs.
We use carefully selected and locally sourced clay, sand, and aggregate. These ingredients are blended together before adding Portland cement and water for stabilization and durability. The material is then machine compressed at high pressure (1700 - 2100 psi). Our blocks take 21 days to cure, but they are useable and can be installed within 7 days.
Does size really matter?
We make 12” blocks because it’s an ideal size and it’s versatile. There’s not a set standard among compressed earth block makers. We have learned that this size works for better compression, curing, and ultimately a stronger block. It’s also a practical shape — the blocks can be laid as a 12” or 4” thick wall.
Dig Deeper
How strong is strong?
Compressive strength is crucial in determining if a block is suitable for construction. The compressive strength directly impacts the durability and load-bearing capacity of the building or constructed structure. In New Mexico, compressed earth blocks need to have a compressive strength of 300 psi to meet building code requirements. Our blocks are three times that. This allows for more opportunitiesin housing or construction design.
Portland seems eccentric.
We chose Portland cement to stabilize our blocks. The 4-6% addition makes them moisture stabilized and stronger. Some stabilized compressed earth block makers use lime as a stabilizer. Also, a good choice. But we prefer Portland cement because we wanted our blocks to be able to take on load-bearing weight.
That’s a lot of blocks.
It’s good to get your math right before taking on a project. 90 blocks per pallet means each pallet weighs 2,430 lbs. We wouldn’t recommend transporting a pallet in your 18-year-old Honda CRV (we’ve tried that). We can give you recommendations on how to transport them to the locations of your choice.
The Big 5
Fire Resistant
Dirt doesn’t burn. Compressed earth blocks, unlike wood or other organic materials, are fire resistant. We exposed one of our block walls to 1,000 °C (1,832 °F) for four hours, then blasted it with a fire hose for 5 minutes. The wall remained standing and undamaged.
Insect Resistant
Our blocks are compressed at high pressure, creating an extremely dense block. This doesn’t leave much room for insects, or plants, to burrow into and creates a natural barrier between the outside world and inside.
Noise Reduction
Our blocks are 12 inches thick and dense. The blocks become a natural sound-dampener by absorbing and scattering sound waves, thereby creating a quieter indoor environment.
Bullet Resistant
Dense, thick, and stabilized is what makes our blocks resistant to bullets. It also holds up well to candle sticks, lead pipes, wrenches, and other classic board game weapons.
Non Toxic
Dirt is naturally non-toxic. Our blocks do not have chemicals that will outgas (offgas) or pollute your indoor air. These blocks are also a good choice for people looking for a material that is hypoallergenic.
And Why They Matter
Your Safety
You can feel secure knowing your home is safer from wildfires. The US Forestry Service estimates wildfire burn 3,500 structures annually. Building with our blocks mitigates risks and also helps lower insurance premiums. While saving your home, you’re saving money.
Your Stress
Unlike traditional wood-frame construction, dirt isn’t a primary food source for termites. A large unforeseen cost to homes is termite damage. Reducing pest damage decreases insurance costs. One less thing you, or your insurer carrier, have to worry about.
Your Serenity
Noise pollutes our environment and our homes. Noise pollution impacts over 1 in 4 people living in America. It affects our physical and mental health, our ability to sleep, and the livability in our homes. These blocks are another way dirt helps us feel better.
Your Security
Bullets don’t have to be from intentional gun violence; it could be from celebratory gunfire or from accidental firings. Regardless of who fires and why, when a bullet misses its target, it still has the potential to injure or kill.
Your Health
Your health is important to us. Our mission is to create something that’s good for the environment and our communities. You may not be able to eliminate all Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from your home, but you can reduce VOCs by prioritizing natural materials, like our blocks.
We are stabilized CEBs.
Our blocks are pressed with a machine, not formed by hand. This makes them significantly stronger and more durable than adobe. It also means the blocks are more uniform and can be used in construction faster. All these things allow our blocks to be less expensive and more available for purchase than traditional adobe.
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NOT
We are not Adobe.
Adobe means “mudbrick” in Spanish. Technically, we make adobe. But unlike traditional adobe, we make our blocks with machines, we don’t use organic materials in our blocks or emulsified asphalt to stabilize them. We love adobe. But we aren’t the traditional brick maker commonly associated with the southwest.
We are for anyone and everyone.
We’re digging in to bring costs down. Through innovation, we’re making a sustainable product that should be available for anyone. Everyone deserves to live in a place that is efficient, beautiful, and affordable.
We are not another expensive, niche sustainable product.
Unfortunately, many sustainable building materials have become a niche. Time intensive production and construction can make earthen expensive. But everyone should have access to earthen benefits, not just those who can afford it.
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We are trying to change housing options.
Adding an affordable and efficient option to the market creates opportunity for conversations. Not everyone will want a house made from dirt. But most people want a home. And right now, most people can’t afford them. We want to change that.
We are not trying to take down the construction industry.
Stick-frame construction has been around for a 100 years. We’re not trying to take down a long-standing establishment. There’s a reason why stick-frame homes are popular – they’re inexpensive, they go up quickly, and they look good. Those just happen to be some of our good qualities, too.
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