Earth-Sheltered Home Design

If you are looking for a home with many energy-efficient features that will provide a comfortable, tranquil, weather-resistant atmosphere, an earth-sheltered house could be right for you.

There are two basic types of earth-sheltered houses:

• Underground
• Bermed (or banked with earth)

Both types usually have earth-covered roofs. Some roofs may have a vegetation cover to reduce erosion.

To help determine what type of earth-sheltered house and design might work best, you should consider the following:

• Advantages and disadvantages of such a home
• Site-specific design factors
• Construction materials and considerations

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