Building Amazing Dome Homes with Aircrete - A Beginner Friendly & Cost Effective Material

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for watching! You can follow and find out more about Domegaia here: domegaia.com/ www.youtube.com/@domegaia Some of the domes featured in this video include: Domes at Brave Earth Costa Rica www.braveearth.com/gaiadomes Dome at Hanuman Maui www.hanumanmaui.org/ Steve Areen's Dome Home in Thailand steveareen.com/domehome/

[@__Andrew_]

A beginners guide to RAAC well presented, even id the guy is a bit scary, and blissfully free of bgmusic .

[@purdypart]

Thanks so much @ExploringAlternatives, and Dome Gaia. Please share widely, that the use of Magnesium and Silica to replace Portland cement or phosphate based alternatives is the more environmentally friendly/sustainable and probably stronger option.

[@theatheistpaladin]

I wonder if you could hybridize with hemecrete?

[@JamesOGant]

They should find a way to use volcanic ash and seawater type water to set it like roman concrete. How does aircrete weather in floods? An aircrete that was based on Roman concrete may be something amazing?

[@hazelraycameron440]

Question: could you replace the fiberglass exterior with cob type materials? Could cob and aircrete work together well in a structure?

[@fredericapanon207]

Aircrete (foamed concrete) was used in a lot of schools and public buildings in the UK in the 1960's. They are now discovering a lot of structural issues, leading to the closures of many public schools. It is quite a problem, requiring expensive remediation or replacement. Edit: thank you for mentioning this issue in your post and highlighting how this video's method is different.

[@Grizzlox]

This material is ideal for small structures like these pod homes, but not so great for big square buildings like schools

[@dpr4820]

Would they do well submersed permanently in water, for like a wall decoration?

[@fredericapanon207]

@@dpr4820 They would have to be fastened somehow. I expect aircrete to float like pumice rock does.

[@tracelee7332]

Hempcrete would probably be better

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Just wanted to share a bit of info because some people are asking about the story about how some Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) roofs are failing in the UK. We're definitely not experts but we looked it up and it sounds like RAAC is a different way of using aerated concrete that involves steel reinforcement. This Guardian article has more information: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/04/raac-crisis-who-knew-what-when-crumbling-concrete-england "With an estimated 30-year lifespan, failures among Raac roof panels in 1950s buildings were inevitable. Engineers also discovered some panels were too thin for the distance they were used to span, some lacked enough steel to anchor them to vertical structures, and leaky roofs triggered a “rapid worsening” of steel corrosion." The aircrete method featured in this video does not use any metal in the structure so it seems to be quite different than the RAAC method, but just like with any new or alternative building project, it's always a good idea to consult with experts like structural engineers, architects, etc. Thanks so much for watching :)

[@acchaladka]

It's good you are addressing this here, however a deeper discussion with a materials expert and a cements expert about aircrete, would be appropriate. The statements your guy in the video are making are often vague and troubling, given that a) all materials have limitations, and b) this video can be used or misconstrued by homeowners. Finally, given the claims made in this video, information on global warming potential and structural strength would be useful.

[@1voluntaryist]

@@acchaladka "...vague and troubling..." is an understatement! Very basic intro.

[@Antenox]

​@@acchaladkaLightweight, cheap, and strong. Pick two 😝

[@acctsys]

Looks to me like aircrete has its place, just not as a structural element.

[@therookienomore88]

Concrete by definition includes aggregate like sand or gravel, so the whole term "Aircrete" is a misnomer. "Cement" is the adhesive substance in concrete that binds all the aggregate in the mix together like glue. What gives concrete its strength is the combination of cement gluing together aggregate, where the aggregate itself lends its structural properties making the end result super strong. If you take out the aggregate and replace it with air it's going to be very brittle and have low strength in compression, tension, and torsion. Meaning - it's definitely going to crack. I appreciate the deep thought that can go into scrutinizing new methods of building - especially here on youtube.

[@theladykaybee]

My mom and I have had air-crete on our radar for nearly a decade now, and we are so excited about this foam pump!

[@litestreamer]

I'd like to know about the resistance factors to extreme elements - how does it do in floods, how much mph wind can it tolerate, is it earthquake rated, are there insulation comparisons with say, straw bale, sand bag cal earth structures, or earth ships, or compared to concrete alone relative to its thickness? Can you use chicken wire inside walls vs. fiberglass, for its EMF blocking abilities? It all looks very intriguing - this was a good intro. Tho it likely varies from state to state, wondering in general how big a structure can be built w/o permit. Hope you follow up with a more indepth report. Would like to know is there an aircrete greenhouse out there?

[@Antenox]

I think most of what you're concerned about is structural rather than material.

[@PHE-nomenon]

​@@Antenoxdoes not material play a part in construction? Even if your construction is great, if you have poor materials, it will still fall. What might be the middle ground?

[@Antenox]

@@PHE-nomenon Modern buildings are made of many different materials, and it's all about balancing cost, availability, material properties, and construction when choosing which ones to use in which component structures. In the case the OP is talking about, water and wind cause specific types of stresses on structures, and there are probably ways to design aircrete structures that are just as strong against these stresses (e.g. reinforcing with rebar, designing thicker walls, etc) as more traditional materials. Aircrete can't replace concrete, but aircrete-based composite structures might be a viable replacement for timber-based construction, even if there are some structural differences (e.g. maybe aircrete structures use thicker walls than timber structures)

[@PHE-nomenon]

@@Antenox ok, I see what you're saying. Fair enough...

[@robertlavedas4964]

Here is something I think that will interest you, and really increase the structural strength, "check out using mushroom mycelium, and greatly improves regular concrete etc...., At a very low increase of weight." This would limit the falling collapse, but the end product would not be, near as good. It is hydrophobic, lightweight, but weak to crushing without cement....😔

[@cloverhighfive]

This looks very interesting for remote locations, since you need to carry less base materials over.

[@andrewmutavi590]

With a robust thick base this could rise atleast 10stories n thus allow for an aircrete city with this curved designs,urban food forests n water treatment mangrove forests.....would be a wonderful place

[@aidangonzalez4823]

@@andrewmutavi590 can you point me to resources that actually show if this is possible?

[@andrewmutavi590]

@@aidangonzalez4823 there are non as it's never been done before

[@Foxiepawstotti]

I was just thinking how great it would be in remote or hard to access places. I could use this.

[@WhistleLad]

Love Dome Gaia! Had the best time at their workshops. A life changing experience in every way

[@julieaskingforafriend]

The one house that would get me out of my RV would be a hobbit hole. I'm kind of in love with this building method.

[@brendamobley]

I was looking at an RV as a tiny house substitute but honestly this is cuter so I want to ask locally. If it can be properly cooled in this climate it might be interesting indeed .

[@marg233]

Nothing strange here,u're brilliant, id buy a home like this in a heartbeat, it's the anatural way to live, the future, excellent work, so beautiful✌🏼🌴🍏✅

[@kennyhagan5781]

I have been curious about this for years and so far this is the best information that I have found. Thank you for the video, I learned a lot.

[@donnamount151]

I have seen bridges built in the SF bay area and used by MANY heavy semi trucks...fascinating ti watch being built...LOVE IT ...❤

[@pamelaodonnell1645]

This is pretty amazing! I'd would live in one of these homes, they're really beautiful!☺

[@themindinvisible]

Those are definitely amazing glamp style little dwellings! Love the open air ones, wow! Great video! 😍

[@cathylynnpietranton]

Thank you Matt and Danielle this was very interesting. It's amazing how many different materials can be used in building that are economical.Also better for the environment 👍👍 ❤

[@dylano7242]

I would use this with tire house building to quickly fill the tires versus pounding with dirt. That is very tasking and time. Filling with foam cement would significantly speed up the building with tires. Aad the tires would be far stronger than just foam cement and fiberglass

[@Ed-jg3ud]

What is the largest residential building that’s been built with aircrete? Would be nice to see a full scale 4500 sf house built with it to show how far you can take the tech

[@Vantasticviews2]

This is so exciting! I would love a house using this material!

[@armandbourque2468]

Would depend on what reinforcement was used. And what surface layser. I'd go with a heavy mesh and rlight rebar grid sandwich, some kind of fiberglass outer layer, and hard plaster with fiber interior, and a fine plaster top coat. Interior reinforcement, and a hard waterproof shell.

[@lawrencehockett8179]

I like it. Very cool. Seems cost effective. Messy process, but the results definitely seem worth it.

[@id104335409]

In my country we use a lot of Ytong. If you're building floors or columns you want to use concrete, but for walls - there is really no need to use anything else unless you really really want to. Bricks are kind of obsolete. Building with Ytong is like building with legos. And you can shape it however you want so you can make some amazing stuff. I guess you can build domes with it if you want to - just like building igloos with ice blocks.

[@bsdpowa]

ytong is fairly popular in the balkans as well

[@fredericapanon207]

What is Ytong?

[@id104335409]

@@fredericapanon207it's aircrete. like styrofoam but maybe 4 times heavier, easy to shape and very fast to work with, the cement is like 1mm thick, the brick itself is filled with air so its insulated. When I see how all houses in the US are built with studs it looks so 16th century to me. The houses are basically matchboxes.

[@bsdpowa]

@@fredericapanon207 it's autoclaved aerated concrete block, very light and durable and has good insulation properties, I don't know exactly how it's used as I don't know anything about construction but I know the name, it's very popular around here

[@carlosmelick682]

Great teaching skills. Very clear!

[@loveandllife]

that's my future dream home. I love dome houses, this is a fantastic concept.

[@daiblaze1396]

Totally make sens to use such material. The surf board analogy made it simple to understand. Thanks for sharing. Sand will be happy !

[@levibates]

Really unique architecture of this structure. It really is tasteful. Thanks for the content Exploring Alternatives!

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for your comment, happy you enjoyed this intro to aircrete :)

[@katiriaedwina]

❤this is just how I imagined my dream home. And about This cement mix, this is a great idea and looks so satisfying.

[@CarrieMHB222]

Interesting concept. Going to keep this in mind for my future build. Pink building at 8:45 is a humorous shape though.

[@MoroMoro1]

Perfect for building a life sized fairy house. Super cool

[@valasdarkholme6255]

I would love to hear how it deals with extreme cold, or repeated freeze / thaw cycles. Conventional portland is prone to cracking and degrading. How many decades should we get out of aircrete? Can it last centuries, or is aircrete only suited for short-lived buildings? It's good to build with, it works well in the short term, but how well does it hold up?

[@DonnaBrown-u1j]

That's awesome 👍 thanks for sharing

[@FDog16]

What mean "It not approved as building material"? Here in Russia half of living houses build with Aircrete. We have multiple standarts about Aircrete since Soviet Union.

[@TiredMomma]

I'd say fine for little builds like a tiny home or for a kids playhouse in a backyard, but can't be used to build houses with. Never forget here in the US, a home will have certain requirements per zone/state, and be built to better withstand earthquakes. I'd mention tornados too but there's still trailer homes which are weak even against an ef1.

[@valerieresistance-francais7708]

Waou ! I didn't know this technique ! Thank you !

[@YOUTUBEPUNISH]

Creativity at it's finest😇♥️💯

[@jocelynelangis777]

Absolutely amazing!!

[@ryankelly1840]

Flinstones :D I'll take it

[@theprinceofinadequatelighting]

I'd like to see how this material performs with various modifications like fiber reinforcement added in the mixing stage (with different types of natural and synthetic fibers). I also wonder how the foaming agent may or may not chemically affect the cement itself.

[@sandyovals]

incredible material, very curious to learn more.

[@josephang9927]

I see it more as a replacement for wood rather than concrete, but so far it seems to work great.

[@carolewarner101]

Wow, gorgeous!

[@danielprofit]

Aircreate / Airated Autoclaved Concrete blocks or tilt wall construction materials Have been used in Europe for almost 100 years and this material at eight inches thick can provide from R20 to R50 insulation factor. Another benefit of of aircreate is it's waterproof , Soundproof and Fire proof and often used in high rise buildings to line the elevator shafts and emergency stairwells.

[@zephyrleapold6796]

I never thought of surfboards as superstrong, but having done home demo, most regular building materials aren't super strong.

[@muhammedjemal2742]

I was obsessed with Aircrete. I really like to learn this technology deeper and use it in Ethiopia.

[@ThoneJones]

I get so excited about this and other alternative building techniques until I think about my local building department. It would be an automatic NO. It’s so unfortunate and frustrating.

[@onelawforall]

One possible solution is to use a permitted post-frame or pole-barn structure, then use alternative methods for filling in the walls.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

This is magical !!!

[@suemoore1965]

❤️🧡💛 ENJOYED, LIKED, WATCHED, COMMENTED 💚💙💜

[@jamesengland7461]

Wouldn't it be cool if you could do the following: Frame your structural walls with 1 by 6, spaced 24 inches on center, with gypsum board screwed directly to the inside and suitable exterior panels, whether plywood siding, FRP panels, or galvanized sheet metal, and then simply pour in this Aircrete, a batch at a time to fill in the walls. It would be well- insulated, sealed, and ready for interior paint!

[@dreamdancecircus5506]

I had this thought as well

[@BTODNG]

Check out aircreteharry on KZbin, he's doing something like that.

[@TheNiteinjail]

You'd think it would be possible to make blow molded panels (think little tykes cozy coupe toy blow molded) then ship them on site and fill with aircrete. Paint for decoration and UV protection of the blow molded shell ... this would be a lightweight to ship easy to assemble, near permanent structure anyone could build.

[@domegaia]

Yes, I think this could be possible and some experiments have been done but nothing fully developed to my knowledge.

[@Letsweletse_bernard]

Informative.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Happy you found this video informative, thanks for your comment :)

[@jodibillingsley]

Fascinating!

[@RipVonGraves]

Good show mate🖤

[@LittleSpaceCase]

I'm curious to know if these structures are safe to use in area that are prone to earthquakes, or how to design them in a way where they would be safe in that situation. I live on a few major fault lines.

[@kasondaleigh]

Nothing can completely protect you from Mother Nature.

[@LittleSpaceCase]

@@kasondaleigh Of course, but many building practices are available which save millions of lives for people who live near earthquakes so if i have the option not to be crushed under rubble I will take that option

[@Lifeinvillagess]

This video was like watching art in motion

[@tinareeder6491]

Wow! Awesome!

[@Spookalina]

This is fascinating and the dome designs are gorgeous. My main concerns are the materials used and inner air quality. Namely VOCs. Does the aircrete (and especially the fiberglass) materials mean an air purifier is necessary? My dream is to build a small, "green" home, so on the surface aircrete seems perfect, but how healthy are it, and the other materials used, in both the short- and long- term?

[@DawnDavidson]

Interesting question.

[@PeaceIsJesusChrist]

@Spookalina, I had this same question…. I wonder if there are VOC free foams?

[@lauriecortright9461]

Do you have photos of a dome in deep snow and what about the snow load I live in upstate New York and I would love one of these if it would work

[@dabrownone]

Does the foam provide tensile strength?

[@jrg4313]

Wish this had been available 17 years ago when I built my home.

[@daleferguson1233]

😮GREAT VIDEO 😮

[@liselottnelson5479]

Very interesting video ❤

[@DANNY-pf5wx]

Which are the recommended structure that can be made by this material? I don't think it's for houses or buildings

[@__Andrew_]

WATER INGRESS: Must bear in mind that its (surely?) an open-cell porous material, totally dependent on the integrity of outer coating . like all open cell insulation,any moisture ingress over time will reduce the R value As well as structural strength.

[@domegaia]

Most wall insulation is far more water absorbing than aircrete. Depending on the foaming agent, most aircrete is closed cell and will absorb water very very slowly. Regardless you are right that keeping any wall dry is important.

[@__Andrew_]

@@domegaia Thank you

[@judyk.657]

How does this work in extreme cold and heavy snow ?

[@bimantaracommunity]

very unique and extraordinary👍♥️♥️

[@louisel.sinniger2057]

Do you or the organization offer a chance for people to work with you in your organization to learn the whole process? These would make a great alternative for temporary homeless shelters.

[@woodchuck9]

Is it fire resistant?

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for watching :) Yes they do claim that the actual aircrete bricks are fire resistant.

[@fredericapanon207]

@@ExploringAlternatives This could be quite an important considering the number of people now affected by climate change-driven wildfires in California, British Columbia and Australia just to name a few locations.

[@DebbieFishell]

I love this! I want to try it in Panama, near the beach. Too many termites for wood and I am not a fan of cement block houses.

[@hosichasi]

There's plastic composite lumber...I thought that would be perfect for jungle environments. what about bamboo ?

[@BacchaeOphanim]

So, like, it's the angel food cake of concrete. Forbidden meringue. Does look like it makes a very cosy hovel and how easily carvable it is would make it great for statue making.

[@LifeBetweenTheDash]

Lovely. Thank you

[@adriaeverett]

These are amazing

[@anuta789]

Is it possible to do stove from air-creat?

[@xikano8573]

Hmm, seems too good to be true but very interesting. How about VOC exposure during mixing, construction or thereafter and how about particles being released into the atmosphere when you shave it?

[@catspaw3815]

Ya, perfect glamping structures

[@beatsbymelody]

Beautiful ❤❤

[@swat4hire]

Does this company have classes to teach people how to use it We're in southern Oregon and I would use this product if I could learn how to use it

[@unique11124]

They do, and they also sell decent DIY equipment. It's called Domegaia.

[@yorukkizigeziyor]

Very beautful 👍👍

[@remyllebeau77]

What long term testing has been done for these homes and "Aircrete"?

[@MessyTimes]

Brilliant. I am now planning on doing a test build of one of these. I think the most likely application is the kind of small one room hobbit houses showing in your videos.

[@notkivic7060]

can aircrete structures float?

[@Matoro342]

I have to see how much weight makes a pillar of it crumble

[@elynoorzai9407]

That is so cool I want to build one nown

[@wendywobbles1]

Is there a life expectancy of this material???

[@corinnelopez66]

What about putting a tiny dome house on a wide trailer base to get around fixed construction codes and permits?

[@clarencenatomagan9413]

How about making housing kits you can ship? All the panels, structures and various shapes and sizes, colours too? Seems good for what I want to up north…:)

[@Celestialkarma]

Interesting God bless

[@kathrynralli4557]

Can aircrete be applied like shot Crete or gunite? How would you recommend installing/insulation a 40,000 ft, structure with aircrete? And making interesting interior facades?

[@BigFireDave]

Being that light, I am not sure if I would want one here in Florida due to occasional hurricanes.

[@kasondaleigh]

Dome structures do very well at withstanding high winds, in fact, it is the preferred shape for structures in high wind environments.

[@karenforsythe1763]

Could this be used in constructing tiny homes on trailers?

[@БеднейшийЛи]

А что за пена, которую к цементу добавляют?

[@officialpsychicloungetv]

I WANT TO BUILD THIS OMG

[@zephyrleapold6796]

Does ot expand or shrink in extreme heat or cold?

[@angelamyles23]

Can things be anchored into the wall like shelving brackets? Or anything heavier, even? Basically can anything that would be wall mounted directly into traditional concrete- have equal capacity in aircrete?

[@anonh5691]

Can you use something other than fiberglass for the inside and outside?

[@domegaia]

Yes, any strong mesh type material ment for reinforcing concrete. You could use steel but it's harder to work with and can rust. Basalt fiber mesh would be a great option but is a lot more expensive.

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Sweet. Im not into the interior fiberglass. Could i earth plaster. Or ferro cement.

[@EdurtreG]

Which foundations can you use?

[@YOUTUBEPUNISH]

WOW 😮❤💯

[@athenry]

To increase the strength of the structure, instead of overlaying with a mesh and then adding stucco, could you add concrete mix/cement to the outside mesh and then plaster that? Or would the weight of the cement be too much for the aircrete blocks to handle?

[@YOUTUBEPUNISH]

Can build to last❤💯

[@TobyCostaDunkin]

Well. I know what I want to try when we get our land!

[@HempHouse4054]

Is it possible to use lime instead of cement?

[@bosse641]

Does these bricks breath ?

[@Mgtow_Monk]

Is there any risk using fiberglass as an external building material? I know fiberglass can cause serious health issues if you are exposed to the fibers. Breathing issues, Skin irritation and possible cancerous issues if it is breathed often.