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Terra Tiles
Low-cost, do-it-yourself soil-cement tiles!

      Terra tiles are inexpensive floor tiles made from a mix of dirt, sand, and cement. Terra tiles were developed out of "rammed-earth" technology, where a soil-cement mix is poured into wall forms and tamped or compacted with hand or power tools to make very dense, strong walls. Terra tile mix is similar, but it is simply troweled into place without being compacted, and the tiles are cut with an over-size "cookie cutter." The idea was pioneered in California in the late 1970's, by David Easton, a rammed-earth contractor.

      Through trial-and-error Easton developed a basic process for making terratiles, including some of what not to do-like trying to mix the very sticky mortar in a concrete truck, or trying to tamp it like the drier material used in rammed-earth walls. We learned about terratiles through articles by Easton (Popular Science, 1988) and by an associate of his, Magnus Berglund (Fine Homebuilding, 1985). There is also a chapter on terra tiles in his book The Rammed Earth House.

      In the course of tiling four homes, we have learned more about what not-to-do, as well as more of what really works to make truly beautiful, and very low-cost tile floors. Tom included the latest information on terra tiles in his book Living Homes: Stone Masonry, Log, and Strawbale Construction. Note: The plastic brickforms we used to stamp out our tile floors are no longer available. We are seeking new alternatives.