Earthen Floors, Second Edition: A Modern Approach to an Ancient Practice - Paperback

by Sukita Reay Crimmel (Author), James Thomson (Author)

Beautiful, durable, non-toxic floors -- made from the earth beneath your feet

If you're looking for a natural flooring option that is warm, breathable, and environmentally responsible, Earthen Floors, Second Edition shows you exactly how to design, install, and live with earthen floors that perform beautifully in modern homes.

Fully revised and updated, this comprehensive, full-color guide combines time-tested techniques with modern best practices. Whether you're a natural builder, homeowner, architect, or contractor, you'll gain the confidence and technical clarity to work successfully with this ancient yet highly relevant building method.

Why Earthen Floors?

Earthen floors are more than an aesthetic choice. They are durable, low-impact, and free of synthetic toxins. When properly designed and installed, they regulate moisture, work beautifully with radiant heat systems, and age gracefully over time.

Rather than presenting romanticized ideals, this edition draws on decades of hands-on experience to demystify every stage of the process -- from raw materials to final finish.

What You'll Gain

• Step-by-step guidance for mixing, pouring, leveling, burnishing, oiling, and sealing


• Clear recipes and ratios for durable earthen floor mixes


• Guidance on subfloor insulation and vapor barrier options


• Techniques for integrating radiant heat and electric wire systems


• Creative approaches including inlays, color washes, patterns, and alternative fibers


• Updated tools, materials, and supplier resources

If you're looking for practical ways to reduce synthetic building materials while maintaining performance and longevity, this guide delivers grounded, experience-based instruction.

Built for Modern Homes

Earthen floors are not limited to off-grid cabins or experimental builds. This book demonstrates how natural flooring can integrate seamlessly into conventional construction, renovations, and contemporary design. Extensive case studies and photographs illustrate real-world applications across climates and building types -- helping you make informed decisions based on evidence, not assumption.

Written by Experienced Practitioners

Sukita Reay Crimmel is the developer of Claylin, the first commercially available ready-made earthen floor product in North America, and is widely recognized as a leader in the modern earthen floor movement. With a background in environmental studies and architecture, she has helped shape contemporary best practices in natural flooring.

James Thomson brings two decades of earth building experience, having led workshops and installations across the United States and internationally. His practical construction background and lived experience with earthen floors inform the technical clarity of this guide.

Together, they combine field-tested expertise with a commitment to ecological building practices that work in real homes.

Who This Book is For

• Natural builders seeking durable, low-toxicity flooring solutions


• Homeowners planning new builds or renovations


• Architects and designers integrating sustainable materials


• Contractors expanding into natural building techniques


• DIY enthusiasts ready for a detailed, practical guide

Earthen floors connect traditional craft with modern ecological design. With the right knowledge, they are durable, adaptable, and entirely achievable.

Build with intention. Create floors that are both grounded and enduring.

Author Biography

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 organizations 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.