How to Build a Sod House
Build sod houses in September, when the roots of the grass are deepest., Find a location that's fairly level in an area that's covered with thick prairie grass, such as buffalo grass., Dig up the sod inside the marked area, rake the dirt until it's...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Build sod houses in September
The roots hold the sod bricks together during construction. -
Step 2: when the roots of the grass are deepest.
Mark the area where you will build the house so you will know where to place the exterior walls.
Leave a space for the door. , This creates the floor of the house. ,, Cut down to a depth of 4 inches. , This creates uniform bricks of sod which you can then remove and stack near where you will build the house. , Follow the markers for the exterior walls. , Place the center of the second-row bricks directly over where two first-row bricks meet.
You must cut some bricks in half to fit the corners. , Stagger the bricks so the ends of the bricks on the row below are directly under the centers of the bricks on top.
Every few rows, lay the bricks crosswise to the row underneath to help make the walls more sturdy. , Place the frames for the windows on the walls and the door frame in the space you left for the door. , Leave room between the bricks and the frames and stuff the spaces with grass.
If you pack too closely, the sod may settle and cause the frames to shift or the window glass to break. , Several styles of roof were used on sod houses, ranging from flat roofs made from a lattice of tree branches, to traditional gabled roofs made from lumber, tar paper and shingles.
A quality roof can protect a sod house for many years with little need for maintenance. , Place the grass-side up to protect against erosion. ,,,, You may also choose to cover the outside of the walls with stucco to protect them from the weather. -
Step 3: Find a location that's fairly level in an area that's covered with thick prairie grass
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Step 4: such as buffalo grass.
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Step 5: Dig up the sod inside the marked area
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Step 6: rake the dirt until it's smooth and level and tamp it down as much as you can.
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Step 7: Mow the grass to a height of 4 inches.
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Step 8: Slice the sod into 2-foot (61 cm) strips.
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Step 9: Cut the strips across at 1-foot (30 cm) intervals.
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Step 10: Lay 1 row of bricks on the ground
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Step 11: grass-side down.
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Step 12: Lay the second row of sod bricks on top the first.
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Step 13: Add subsequent rows of bricks over the first rows.
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Step 14: Lay sod brick until your walls reach the bottom of where you want your windows.
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Step 15: Continue building the walls around the window and door frames.
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Step 16: Construct a roof for your sod house.
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Step 17: Cover the roof with sod.
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Step 18: Install the doors and windows.
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Step 19: Suspend a muslin sheet to the roof inside the house to form a sort of ceiling that will catch any dirt or water that falls from the roof.
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Step 20: Fill any spaces remaining in the walls with additional sod or grass.
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Step 21: Smooth the inside of the walls and whitewash them.
Detailed Guide
The roots hold the sod bricks together during construction.
Mark the area where you will build the house so you will know where to place the exterior walls.
Leave a space for the door. , This creates the floor of the house. ,, Cut down to a depth of 4 inches. , This creates uniform bricks of sod which you can then remove and stack near where you will build the house. , Follow the markers for the exterior walls. , Place the center of the second-row bricks directly over where two first-row bricks meet.
You must cut some bricks in half to fit the corners. , Stagger the bricks so the ends of the bricks on the row below are directly under the centers of the bricks on top.
Every few rows, lay the bricks crosswise to the row underneath to help make the walls more sturdy. , Place the frames for the windows on the walls and the door frame in the space you left for the door. , Leave room between the bricks and the frames and stuff the spaces with grass.
If you pack too closely, the sod may settle and cause the frames to shift or the window glass to break. , Several styles of roof were used on sod houses, ranging from flat roofs made from a lattice of tree branches, to traditional gabled roofs made from lumber, tar paper and shingles.
A quality roof can protect a sod house for many years with little need for maintenance. , Place the grass-side up to protect against erosion. ,,,, You may also choose to cover the outside of the walls with stucco to protect them from the weather.
About the Author
Isabella Turner
Creates helpful guides on crafts to inspire and educate readers.
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