Are Earthships Better Than Brick Houses? A Practical Look for DIY Builders

1. Between you and me, when it comes to building a home that’s both eco-friendly and budget-conscious, the choices can feel like wading through a swamp of jargon and marketing buzzwords. You’ve probably heard concrete is “the enemy,” that bricks are outdated, or that earthships are the future of off-grid living. But what’s the real deal? Is an earthship genuinely better than a traditional brick house? And what about rammed earth as an alternative to brick? Let’s cut through the noise and get to the facts, with real numbers and practical insights for DIY home builders and renovators who care about the environment but also need to watch their budget. I’ve been in the trenches for 15 years, blending classic materials like brick with modern building science—so I promise no fluff here. Understanding the Basics: What Are Earthships and Brick Houses? Brick houses—especially those built with clay bricks from companies like Glen-Gery or Belden Brick Company—are a time-tested construction method. Clay bricks typically cost between $0.50 to $2.50 per brick, depending on quality, style, and region. Bricks offer durability, fire resistance, and thermal mass, which means they can absorb and slowly release heat, helping regulate indoor temperatures. Earthships, on the other hand, are a type of off-grid home popularized by architect Michael Reynolds. They use recycled materials (think: old tires packed with earth) for walls and focus heavily on passive solar heating, water harvesting, and energy independence. The walls are often thick “rammed earth” or earth-packed tires, giving excellent thermal mass but requiring significant labor. Rammed Earth vs Brick: Material, Cost, and Performance What Is Rammed Earth? Rammed earth is essentially soil compressed into a formwork, layer by layer, to create solid walls. It’s a very old technique—Romans used it long before bricks became widespread. The soil mix usually contains some clay, sand, and gravel, sometimes stabilized with a small amount of cement or lime to improve durability and water resistance. Cost Comparison Material Estimated Cost Notes Clay Brick (Glen-Gery, Belden) $0.50 - $2.50 per brick Depends on size, finish, and supplier; bricks are easy to source Rammed Earth $10 - $25 per sq. ft. Labor-intensive; costs vary widely based on soil and stabilization method Key takeaway: Rammed earth’s material cost might be low if you have suitable soil on site, but labor and formwork can drive up total expenses significantly. Bricks, while pricier per unit, come ready to install and require less specialized labor. Thermal Mass and Insulation

2. One of the biggest advantages both bricks and rammed earth share is thermal mass. Think of it like a slow cooker: it soaks up green construction trends heat during the day and releases it at night, smoothing out temperature swings. Brick walls: Dense and durable, bricks store heat well but typically need insulation on the inside or outside to meet modern energy codes. Rammed earth walls: Even thicker and denser, offering excellent thermal mass. However, their insulation (R-value) is usually low, so additional insulation is often necessary, especially in colder climates. Embodied Energy and Carbon Footprint This is where things get tricky. Let me tell you about a situation I encountered made a mistake that cost them thousands.. Terms like “embodied energy” and “carbon footprint” can feel like alphabet soup, but here’s a simple way to think about it. Embodied energy is the total energy required to extract, process, transport, and install a building material. Clay bricks require firing in a kiln at high temperatures, which burns fossil fuels and releases CO2. That said, bricks last for centuries with minimal maintenance and are often recyclable or reusable. Rammed earth uses mostly local soil, which means very low transportation energy, but if stabilized with Portland cement, that adds a significant carbon footprint. Also, the construction process can be labor and energy-intensive depending on methods used. To give you a rough idea: 1 square meter of fired clay brick wall might have an embodied energy of about 3-4 MJ/kg. Rammed earth walls without cement stabilization have much lower embodied energy, sometimes less than 1 MJ/kg. But remember: the durability and longevity of bricks can offset their upfront embodied energy over time. Earthship Construction: Pros and Cons for DIY Builders Pros Off-grid Independence: Earthships are designed for water harvesting, solar power, and waste recycling, making them ideal if you want to cut ties with utilities. Recycled Materials: Using old tires and bottles reduces landfill waste. Thermal Mass: Thick walls store heat effectively, reducing heating and cooling needs. Cons Labor-Intensive: Rammed earth and tire packing require lots of manual work—unless you hire help, expect a slow build. Building Codes: Earthships often fall outside conventional building codes, making permitting difficult or costly. Insulation Challenges: Without additional insulation, earthship walls can lose heat in cold climates. Material Availability: Not all sites have suitable soil or enough recycled materials. Brick Houses: Pros and Cons Pros Proven Durability: Brick houses have stood for centuries with minimal maintenance. Good Thermal Mass: Helps regulate indoor temperatures. Wide Availability: Bricks and skilled masons are easy to find in most regions. Relatively Quick Build: Faster than rammed earth or earthship walls. Cons Higher Embodied Energy: Kiln-fired bricks require significant energy and carbon emissions. Cost: While bricks themselves can be affordable, labor and mortar add up. Insulation Needed: Solid brick walls are not great insulators on their own. What About Timber and Concrete?

3. Since you’re probably comparing more than just bricks and earthships, a quick word on timber and concrete: Timber: Renewable if sourced responsibly, low embodied energy, and insulates well. But it can be vulnerable to pests and fire, and long-term durability varies. Concrete: Usually high embodied energy and carbon footprint, especially with Portland cement. But it’s strong, fire-resistant, and can be used in insulated panels. Bottom Line: What Should a DIY Builder Choose? If you’re balancing environmental concerns with budget and practicality, here’s my two cents: Brick houses remain a solid, proven choice. They offer durability, relatively predictable costs, and good thermal mass. If you want to improve their eco-credentials, look for bricks with local sourcing and reuse old bricks when possible. Rammed earth can be a fantastic alternative if you have the right soil, time, and skills, and don’t mind extra labor. Stabilize wisely to minimize carbon emissions. Earthships are excellent for true off-grid living but may not be the best fit if you want a quick, code-compliant build or have limited labor capacity. Whatever you choose, focus on design strategies that maximize passive solar gain, airtightness, and proper insulation. Thermal mass alone won’t make your home comfortable without these. Final Thoughts: Respect the Classics, Embrace Smart Innovation Between my worn-out brick sample and a pile of earth-packed tires, I’d say both have their place. Bricks are like the reliable old friends you call when you need steady support, while rammed earth and earthships are the adventurous relatives who challenge the status quo. Just beware the greenwashing—those flashy “eco” materials that look good in a brochure but fall apart in five years or have hidden carbon costs. Sometimes, the simplest, most time-tested materials like brick, paired with smart design, give you the best bang for your buck and the planet. Happy building, and if you ever want to chat about Roman concrete or the thermal properties of bricks, you know where to find me.