Paul Mallory Owner-Builder Support Project - Santa Fe, NM
I poured earthen floors in two layers for a total thickness of 3 1/2". Lots of prep was required to sift the dirt, do test floors, chop and sift the straw (so barley seeds don't make it into the final mix), and prepare planks to wheelbarrow material into the rooms without damaging the radiant tubes. Once we started laying the floors, things went quickly. After each layer, we had to wait for more than a week each time for the floor to dry fully. Once both layers were on, we applied five coats of boiled linseed oil. The floors were lots of work, but I'm very happy how they turned out and I wouldn't have done it any other way.
Follow Paul on Instagram for more project photos and call for volunteer announcements.