Where Healthy Homes Begin: The Crawlspace!
It might be out of sight—but it should never be out of mind.

You can’t build a truly healthy home without first addressing the environment it sits on. At Earth Bound Homes, we start with the crawlspace—not as an afterthought, but as the foundation of wellness, durability, and smart design.

Take the Asymmetric House as a model: here, the crawlspace isn’t just a hollow space under the floor—it’s a sealed, insulated, and conditioned zone that plays a critical role in the home's overall performance and health.

Why Does the Crawlspace Matter?

The conditions beneath your home directly impact air quality, energy efficiency, and long-term maintenance. An untreated or vented crawlspace can introduce:

• Radon and other soil gases

• Mold from moisture intrusion

• Pests like rats, insects, and termites

• Energy loss through uninsulated floors

A conditioned crawlspace, like the one at the Asymmetric House, solves these problems. It’s designed to:

❌ Block radon and soil gases from entering your living space
❌ Keep out pests and moisture, which can cause structural damage

✅ Protect indoor air quality—because up to 50% of the air in your home can originate from the crawlspace
✅ Provide easy access to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems for repairs and upgrades
✅ Stay clean, dry, and functional for the life of the home

Why Not Build on a Slab?

Slab foundations may seem simple and economical at first glance, but they can create major limitations down the road. When systems like plumbing or electrical fail or need to be upgraded, you’re forced to:

🔨 Cut into concrete
💸 Add cost and complexity
🌫️ Disrupt your home with dust and debris

In contrast, a properly built crawlspace offers flexibility, cost savings over time, and a healthier indoor environment—without compromising performance.

The Smart Foundation for a Better Future

What’s truly remarkable is that building a conditioned crawlspace doesn’t require high-tech systems or massive budgets—it simply takes care, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to doing things right from the start.

At Earth Bound Homes, we believe health starts from the ground up. That’s why every detail—especially the invisible ones—are designed with your family’s well-being in mind.

🏡 Build smarter. Live healthier. Start with the crawlspace.

The key to any successful construction project is quality workmanship and maintaining a good relationship with inspectors. It's essential to avoid cutting corners, always be respectful, and provide inspectors with what they need. But what do you do when two inspectors visit your job site at different times and disagree on what needs to be done?

This situation leads to frustrating delays. On the Cereza project, we encountered just such a scenario. The conflicting opinions of the inspectors forced us to escalate the issue to the head building official for resolution. This meant we needed revisions from the engineer, which we had already obtained but now had to resubmit to the city.

The approval process took an additional five weeks, partly because our submission coincided with someone's vacation. Such unexpected hurdles are part and parcel of the construction world.

Ahhhh, construction...

Have you ever wondered why wall textures have such peculiar names? More importantly, do you know what each of them means and how to choose the right one for your home? Or if you need different textures for each room? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

Wall textures aren’t just about aesthetics—they play a significant role in the functionality and feel of your home. Knowing the differences between textures can help you make informed decisions during your building or remodeling projects.

Firstly, why do we have such unique names for wall textures? These names often derive from the techniques used to create them or their historical origins. For instance, "Skip Trowel" refers to a method where a trowel skips across the surface, creating a distinctive pattern, while "Old World" evokes a sense of rustic, European charm.

So, what does each texture mean, and how do you decide which one to use? Here’s a quick guide:

• Skip Trowel: This texture adds a touch of elegance and hides minor imperfections, making it great for living rooms and bedrooms.

• Level 5 Finish: This is the smoothest and most premium finish, ideal for spaces with lots of natural light where you want to avoid any imperfections being highlighted.

• Old World: This texture brings a timeless, classic look, perfect for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in any room.

When choosing textures, consider factors like ease of cleaning, durability, cost, and how well they hide damage. For example:

• Ease of Cleaning: Smooth textures like Level 5 are easier to clean but may show dirt and smudges more readily.

• Durability: Rougher textures like Skip Trowel can be more durable and better at hiding wear and tear.

• Cost: Generally, the smoother and more intricate the texture, the higher the cost.

• Damage Visibility: Some textures, like Orange Peel, can help camouflage minor dents and scratches.

Stay tuned as we break down the most popular drywall textures, helping you understand their characteristics and the best applications for each. Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling, this guide will ensure you make the best choices for your walls.

Creating an outdoor space not only adds an extra layer of protection to your home but also provides a serene retreat from the elements, whether you're basking in the warm glow of a sunny day or seeking shelter from a stormy, frozen winter. When that space is constructed by skilled craftsmen, it becomes a truly special haven.

Imagine stepping onto a beautifully crafted cedar porch, where the rich aroma of the wood mingles with the fresh outdoor air. This inviting space becomes an extension of your home, offering a perfect spot to unwind with a good book, enjoy a cup of coffee, or gather with loved ones for meaningful conversations.

A cedar porch, with its natural resistance to decay and insects, promises longevity and durability, ensuring that your sanctuary remains a cherished part of your home for years to come. The warm, reddish-brown hues of the cedar planks add a touch of elegance and warmth, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

Whether you're watching the sunset on a summer evening, listening to the gentle patter of rain, or sipping hot cocoa while wrapped in a cozy blanket during winter, a well-built cedar porch enhances these moments, making them even more memorable. The craftsmanship that goes into building such a space reflects a dedication to quality and a passion for creating something truly extraordinary.

So, when you choose to invest in a cedar porch, you're not just adding an architectural feature to your home; you're creating a timeless retreat where memories are made and cherished. It's a space that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors from the comfort of your own home.

Making the decision of building a new house or remodeling your existing house is incredibly difficult especially if you don’t like your existing house and there’s nothing really wrong with it. So how do you make this decision? We talk with David W., the owner of Jake’s house, about his decision to build a new house in a different area, even though he was perfectly happy or almost perfectly happy, and his existing house. Join us for a conversation with one of our clients.