cheapest building materials for new home? (alternative building methods welcome)?

Here's something to think about: monolithic gunite concrete construction with a PVC airform dome exterior.

http://www.monolithic.com/

There's a place in Italy, TX (near DFW) that specializes in this type of new-age construction. Compared to the square-foot construction costs for conventional housing this option is actually cheaper. All of the load-bearing walls are on the perimeter so the interior can be designed any way you choose. Thermal properties are outstanding as the structure is practically air-tight, tensile strength is resistant to anything Mother Nature can dole out short of an earthquake.

There are a few recycled materials you can use if you are thinking of going green however these things will cost more than the conventional materials. A concrete dome house will practically last forever and is very low maintenance.

EDIT: Cheaper is never better. Any thing worth doing is worth doing well, and unless you want to constantly rebuild something you eventually plan on living in going cheap is a fool's endeavor.

There's a reason why adobe, compacted earth, straw, corncobs, sand, sod, etc. aren't used any more - for building purposes they suck. Yes, over 100 years ago pioneer settelers used these things because lumber and other materials weren't available to them and they made do with what they had.

Go subterranean, which will mean you aren't actually building anything except for buttresses to keep your hole in the ground from caving in. It's okay if you don't mind living like a prarie dog but by far this is going to be your cheapest option.

Good luck.

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Alternative Building Methods

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RE:

cheapest building materials for new home? (alternative building methods welcome)?

I'm interested in what the cheapest building materials would be... IN GENERAL...

wood, concrete, dirt, cob, straw bale, adobe, pounded earth, sand bags, etc..

Or any combination thereof.

I'd like to make something like an earth ship, but seeing what other materials would be a good...

Here are literally thousands of organized woodworking projects in a members area and all you have to do is get them off your computer any time you want. Go here https://tr.im/8Flkz

There are thousands of plans so decide which one you are going to tackle next. The choice is yours to make so just click on the proper button for the specific project and then they are right there for you to pick one. The diagrams and instructions will be right there in the computer for you to access at any time or if you prefer you can print them out.

Check out stackwood construction

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading...

Stackwood construction is a best choice