In the United States alone the annual construction of over one million new homes causes a very substantial drain on natural resources. Today approximately 60 percent of the timber cut down in our country is used for building homes. Using alternative home building materials and creating a greener home are about creating better homes that are environmentally friendly are less expensive in the long run and create healthier occupants. Unfortunately many people are unfamiliar with alternative building materials and do not know the first thing about going green. However The Complete Guide to Alternative Home Building Materials & Methods will teach you everything you need to know about this movement toward natural construction methods. This book will show you how to identify locate and effectively use alternative building materials. You will learn about straw bale cordwood cob adobe rammed earth light clay pise earthbag bamboo earth-rammed tires cork wool carpeting sod compressed earth earth plaster beer cans bottles as well as living roofs and more. In addition you will learn the costs and performance characteristics of these materials and construction techniques for each as well as how to integrate plumbing and electricity into these unfamiliar materials and substitutes for conventional approaches. You will also learn about the structure climate control siting foundations and flooring options you gain when using these materials. Also included are the advantages and benefits of alternative building materials for both consumers and builders and the key ecological design principles. Ultimately you will come to understand that these materials are cheaper easier to build with stronger more durable and more fire resistant. Architects designers students homeowners home buyers owner builders and those who want to build for a sustainable future will want to read this book. If you are concerned about the environment want to create a healthier more enjoyable home and want to save money The Complete Guide to Alternative Home Building Materials & Methods will show you how. Atlantic Publishing is a small independent publishing company based in Ocala Florida. Founded over twenty years ago in the company president s garage Atlantic Publishing has grown to become a renowned resource for non-fiction books. Today over 450 titles are in print covering subjects such as small business healthy living management finance careers and real estate. Atlantic Publishing prides itself on producing award winning high-quality manuals that give readers up-to-date pertinent information real-world examples and case studies with expert advice. Every book has resources contact information and web sites of the products or companies discussed.