People often ask what us what it’s actually like to live in a rammed earth home. They understand the environmental benefits, the durability, and the impressive energy performance—but what they're really asking is something much harder to measure.

What's it actually like to come home to one every day?

To try and answer that question, I thought it might be a good idea visit Pam in the kitchen of her rammed earth home, accompanied by her incredibly handsome and good pup Gus. Pam moved into her home last fall - one we built nearly ten years ago! We were so happy when she reached out with some house questions after her purchase. and, of course, excited to meet the new homeowner.

Unlike many of our clients, Pam wasn't looking for a rammed earth home. She simply walked through the front door on her house hunt, fell in love, and only then discovered the story behind its walls.

In our conversation, Pam and I talked about first impressions and what surprised her most after living in the home for coming on to a full year.

Lindsey: I'll be honest—when I first visited a rammed earth home, I expected something that felt... rustic. Instead, I walked in and thought, "Whoa. This is a house-house." More than that, it felt grounded, comfortable, and lived-in in a way I'd never experienced before.

People ask me all the time what it feels like to live surrounded by earth. They wonder, Does it feel like concrete? Does it feel like dirt? And while I can explain the science behind rammed earth, I always end up saying the same thing: you really have to experience it for yourself.

Pam, you came to this home without knowing anything about Aerecura OR rammed earth. What was that experience like? I am so curious!

Pam:(Laughs.) Well, I can tell you how I found it.

When I decided I wanted to move to the Kingston area, I came across this house for sale. I had absolutely no idea what rammed earth was—I just thought the home looked exceptional.

The moment we walked in and closed the door, everything changed. It was incredibly quiet. Peaceful. There was this immediate sense of calm that I'd never experienced in another house.

Then I started noticing all the details—the ceilings, the walls, the way the windows were placed. The south-facing windows bring in so much natural light and warmth, and every window seemed thoughtfully positioned to connect with the landscape outside.

The property itself completely captured me. The gardens, the beautiful rock cut behind the house—it all felt special. By the time I walked upstairs and saw the loft and bathroom, I knew.

It didn't just feel like a beautiful house. It felt like my home.

As I learned more about the rammed earth construction, I became even more convinced I'd made the right decision. Knowing the home was environmentally sustainable was a huge bonus. I loved that it doesn't rely on a conventional furnace, and honestly, I loved that there was no basement or attic to maintain. Everything about it just made sense.

Lindsey: Once you'd lived here for a while, what differences did you start noticing compared to a conventional home?

Pam: The air quality is probably the first thing that comes to mind. It just feels cleaner somehow. There aren't layers of drywall and paint throughout the house, and I really appreciate that.

And this might sound funny, but I've never had a mouse in this house.

Lindsey: I actually love that you mentioned that, because it's something people don't often think about. Rammed earth walls are incredibly durable. They're rodent-resistant, pest-resistant, and because there's no organic material in the walls themselves, they're also highly resistant to mold.

Pam: Exactly. I've never had any issues with mold. Between the rammed earth construction and the steel roof, the house feels incredibly solid. And honestly, it's been much lower maintenance than I expected.

If someone has never visited a rammed earth home, I'd really encourage them to. It's difficult to describe because it's something you experience with all your senses.

Lindsey: You also lived through your first winter here this year. How did the house perform?

Pam: It's always windy out here. You can hear the wind outside, but you don't experience it inside. The house stays incredibly calm. Even in the middle of winter, it was cozy. The sun pours through the south-facing windows, and you can curl up on the couch with a book while the house stays warm.

Lindsey: You have in-floor heating, right?

Pam: Yes, but it's set very low. Most of the time the house sits around 70°F (21°C), and it stays there. The temperature hardly fluctuates—it just feels consistently comfortable. I was surprised by how little maintenance there was over the winter. If anything, it's been easier to care for than many conventional homes I've lived in.

Pam’s answers reminded me that the things people remember most are often the ones that are hardest to measure.

We can measure energy savings, thermal performance, durability, and air tightness. We can explain how the walls work and why they last. But the feeling of walking through the front door—that sense of calm and connection—is something that's difficult to put into words.

Maybe that's why we so often say that rammed earth homes need to be experienced to be understood.

What Does It Really Feel Like to Live in a Rammed Earth Home?

Ontario Winters + Rammed Earth Performance