100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Fast Overnight NZ-wide Delivery 🚀

Earthen Floors, Second Edition

A Modern Approach to an Ancient Practice
By Sukita Reay Crimmel and James Thomson
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
The essential guide to making, installing and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floors now fully revised and updated. This full-colour guide includes complete step-by-step instructions for installing your own earthen floors as well as the history, use, and maintenance of this beautiful, durable, non-toxic flooring material.... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$10700

International Supplier

This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 2-3 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Richly illustrated in full-color, Earthen Floors, Second Edition covers step-by-step instructions for installing your own earthen floors, as well as the history, use, and maintenance of this beautiful, durable, non-toxic flooring material. Updated to reflect current best practices, this is the only resource of its kind.

  • Co-op available
  • Galleys available
  • National advertising, print campaign, and excerpts:
    • Google, Facebook, Mother Earth News, Green Builder, Green Builder Advisor, Permies.com, Permaculture UK
    • Facebook Live event and giveaway with author
    • Outreach to natural and green building organizations
    • Promotion via New Society Publishers' social media platforms
    • Promotion on author's website: www.sukita.com

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The essential guide to making, installing and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floors now fully revised and updated.

This full-colour guide includes complete step-by-step instructions for installing your own earthen floors as well as the history, use, and maintenance of this beautiful, durable, non-toxic flooring material. Updated to reflect current best practices, it is the only resource of its kind, widely recognised as an essential tool for anyone wanting to work with this beautiful and environmentally friendly construction method.

From sourcing and processing raw materials to applying the final finish, each stage of this exciting technique is demystified. Topics include:

  • The story of earthen floors through the ages and their role in modern green building
  • Tips and tools for site preparation, mixing, pouring, burnishing, sanding, oiling, sealing, and more
  • Recipes and ratios for the ideal earthen floor mix, subfloor insulation and vapour barrier options, and how to achieve the perfect pour
  • Beyond the basics— inlays, colour washes, prints, patterns, alternative fibres, and other creative options
  • Radiant heat, electric wire heated floors, and other improvements for cooler climates
  • Updated resources section with suggestions for tool and material suppliers

Packed with new in-depth case studies and inspirational photographs, and drawing on the collective knowledge of the most qualified and experienced practitioners, Earthen Floors, Second Edition is a must-read for natural builders, homeowners, architects, contractors, and DIY enthusiasts.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781774060087

Publisher: New Society Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 October 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: New Society Publishers

Edition: Second Edition

Illustration: 250 Illustrations, color

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 191.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 548g

Pages: 288

Collections

Arts & Culture Education & Reference Engineering, Technology & Agriculture Home & Garden James Thomson Non-Fiction Sukita Reay Crimmel

About the Author

Sukita Reay Crimmel is considered one of the preeminent experts in the modern field of earthen floors. As well as presenting extensively on this exciting technique with organisations such as Aprovecho and Yestermorrow, she is the developer of Claylin the first commercially available ready-made earthen floor product in North America. Sukita holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental studies and architecture from the University of Oregon, and is co-author of the original edition of Earthen Floors. Sukita lives in Portland, Oregon.

James Thomson got his start with earth building in 2004, and since then has facilitated dozens of workshops and trainings in multiple states and countries, including Panama, Guatemala, Jamaica, India, and France. He also has a background in general construction and a driving desire to find ways to integrate natural building practices into more conventional modern homes. James has participated in many floor installations, both in workshop settings and for paying clients. He has lived on (or near) earthen floors for most of the past two decades and is co-author of the original edition of Earthen Floors. James lives in Williamsburg, MA.

More from Arts & Culture

View all
  • Dylan's Pick
    Bold Types
    A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...
    By Jane Ussher
    Hardback
    $5999
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Shirl's Pick Shirl's Pick
    Home Again
    Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...
    By Jon Toogood
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Buy to Win
    Did I Ever Tell You This?
    In this unexpected memoir, written in a creative burst of just a few months in 2022, Sam Neill tells the story of how he became one of the world’s most celebrated actors, who has worked with everyone from Meryl Streep to Isabel Adjani, from Jeff Goldblum to Sean Connery, from Steven Spielberg to Jane Campion. By his own account, his...
    By Sam Neill
    Paperback
    $3799
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    New Release
    Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...
    By Monique Fiso
    Hardback
    $4499
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • This Angry Pen of Mine
    This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...
    By Layne Staley
    Hardback
    $7299
    Elsewhere:
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • They Bloom Because of You
    Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood - the hard, the magic and the fleeting. ‘A raw and honest read that makes you feel seen and understood in a way that will bring you to tears.’ - Hilary Swank ‘A book to keep close and...
    By Jessica Urlichs
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Devotions
    New York Times Bestseller, chosen as Oprah's 'Books That Help Me Through' for Oprah's Book Club Chosen by Poetry Book Society as their special commendation 'No matter where one starts reading, Devotions offers much to love, from Oliver's exuberant dog poems to selections from the Pulitzer Prize-winning American Primitive, and Dream Work, one of her exceptional collections. Perhaps more important,...
    By Mary Oliver
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Buy to Win
    The Odyssey
    The The Odyssey by Homer is a timeless epic that chronicles the adventures of the legendary Greek hero, Odysseus, as he endeavours to return home to Ithaca following the conclusion of the Trojan War. This monumental journey spans ten arduous years, during which Odysseus encounters a myriad of natural and supernatural challenges. From shipwrecks and ferocious battles to formidable monsters...
    By Homer
    Hardback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Buy to Win
    On Sale
    14% off
    Leaves of Grass
    A collectible new Penguin Classics series offers beautiful, slim, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets. In 1855, Walt Whitman published his first collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass. The volume received great praise from leading Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. This encouragement led to what would become a lifelong project, as Whitman expanded and rewrote the volume until his death...
    By Walt Whitman
    Hardback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • I Still Believe in Miracles
    I Still Believe in Miracles is a collection of poetry exploring themes of masculinity, love, grief, and connection. This is the trade debut from Instagram phenomenon Lucas Jones, perfect for fans of yung pueblo, Hussain Manawer, and Whitney Hanson. A collection of powerful contemporary poetry, I Still Believe in Miracles delves deeply into themes of masculinity, love, grief, and connection....
    By Lucas Jones
    Hardback
    $3500
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Beautiful Chaos
    The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller Selected poems from bestselling author and Instagram poet, Jessica Urlichs. 'These words awaken the magic of life by celebrating the ordinary.' - Giovanna Fletcher Motherhood is messy and beautiful, and hard and humbling. We adore our children and sometimes we miss ourselves. Beautiful Chaos is a collection of raw, honest poems about motherhood, capturing everything...
    By Jessica Urlichs
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Roadscapes
    For four decades, photographer Derek Smith has explored the way New Zealanders travel, work, and express themselves through the vehicles they drive. Roadscapes is his compelling photographic journey through the heartland of New Zealand, capturing our unique car cultures and the social landscapes they inhabit across Aotearoa.
    By Derek Smith
    Hardback
    $3699
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

The Latest at Book Hero

View all