building a home with natural materials

[hram]

I hope this is in the right spot, I wasnt sure exactly where to put it. We have a few acres and will be building ahome in the next year. We were going to just build a small home, my brother in law is a contractor so he was going to do the work for us. But I got to thinking about all the toxins in the building materials and I want to go with something more natural. But I have no idea where to start. I like the straw bale houses but dh says it will be really expensive. Im wanting to do most of the work ourselves since on one in our area is experienced with this type of buliding.

So I would like to know of some sites or books that will be helpful in learning about building with natual materials. We live in East TN, so I dotn even know what kind of building would be appropriate for our area. Thanks

[artemis33]

This place is local to me but the site is good for exploring options (and it looks like there is mail order too).

http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/home.shtml

There is always Real Goods as well - especially good for alternative energy, heating, and lighting type things.

http://www.realgoods.com/


Another idea is to use places like craigslist and the ReStore to find reclaimed items for your home. Cabinets, flooring, sinks, bath tubs, light fixtures....lots of things like this. Not a guarantee they are green, but at least recycled.

We haven't built a place ourselves, but my midwife is currently doing this. She has a new home, but you can hardly tell that when you walk in because almost everything in it is reclaimed. Her wood floors are from an old gym in the area, her cabinets and bathtub are both reclaimed. She used craigslist mostly and said just about everything in there is second hand.

[yukookoo]

http://www.amazon.com/Home-Safe-Debr...3184051&sr=8-1

Home Safe Home

I would read it all I thought I knew everything there is to know about toxic chemicals in everything but I was totally overwhelmed by the new to me info in this book and its not a new book!

It has a section in the back about building materials

so well written and it has hazards, explains why something is toxic and then gives solutions and alternative which is great