How to Build Your Own Underground Home

What is an underground home? Why build one? What's it like to live underground? The answers to these and many other questions await you in this book. Ray Scott, whose own underground home has attracted nationwide interest, tells you from his own firsthand experience everything you need to know to plan, design, and build a modern underground geothermic home. The author describes very precisely the different nature of underground construction and the advantages it offers, then carefully takes you step by step through all the stages of planning and building an underground house. He provides solid, practical answers to any question you might have about codes and regulations, design and land contour, site preparation and selection, designing and building the "shell" (pouring concrete, foundation, floors, walls, and ceiling), roof design, ventilation, waterproofing, backfilling and grading, making ceilings, utility installation, rough-in woodworking, putting in domes and skylights, inside finishing and alternate sources of energy (Scott's 3,600 sq. ft. home is heated entirely with a wood stove). Since underground living is different in some ways, you'll also learn what to expect after moving in. If you're planning to either buy or build a new home, this book will adequately prepare you for the experience...and guide you in the right direction. Ray Scott is an experienced do-it-yourself home builder with a three-story "tree" house, a houseboat-camper-trailer combination, and his underground home to his credit. He is a registered engineer living in Maryland.