Frequently asked questions about rammed earth walls

Olnee Constructions can provide 200mm, 300mm, 400mm, 500mm and 600mm thermal mass rammed earth walls. Walls from 400mm and above can be insulated if required.

SRE walls are constructed using a quality road base material (soil and gravel mixture) stabilised with cement.

Olnee Constructions’ materials are generally sourced from quarries as close to site as possible. This reduces energy costs for cartage.

Rammed earth walls are an off form finish, which means each wall will have a unique appearance. If required (e.g. bathrooms), internally they can be sealed with a clear waterbased sealant. Externally, Olnee Constructions’ rammed walls have a waterproof added to the mix, making the outside a finished product.

Shelving can easily be fixed to rammed earth walls with masonry wall fasteners. Pictures can be hung using a nail, wherever your heart desires, as you do not have to find that elusive wall stud to hammer your nail into.

Well-designed passive solar homes coupled with the high thermal mass of the rammed earth walls enables a home built with rammed earth to naturally store energy (warm or cool) creating a stable internal temperature.

Rammed earth walls are non-combustible and have a fire rating of 4 hours. Rammed earth is one of very few building materials that has been included in the Building Code of Australia for high risk fire areas.

Due to the materials and construction method, rammed earth walls are deemed ‘termite resistant’ under the Building Code of Australia.

Yes, it just depends on the shape of the formwork. It may cost a little extra to have special formwork made up if it is different to our stock formwork.

Yes! Olnee Constructions will help you in any way we can to make your project the best it can be while keeping stress and hassles to a minimum!

We have a variety of architects and builders we work closely with but we are always happy to work with other designers and architectural plans.

Yes, Please call our office to arrange a time (03 9551 5149).

Rammed earth walls date back 6000 years. There are numerous examples of rammed earth walls, such as The Great Wall of China, Egypt’s Pyramids and the first house ever built in Australia.