Outhouses or privies are typically found in rural areas or underdeveloped countries. In some ways the outhouse is the first composting toilet. The incorporation of composting practices combined with sanitary receptacles can make the privy a sustainable alternative to indoor toilets. Many outhouses in the final design can be as comfortable as the actual home, with lighting, fine woodwork on the interior and electric baseboard heat for those cold winters nights.
The Receptacle
Solid-concrete walls can make a large sanitary receptacle for an outhouse. Four-inch thick walls combined with a sealed deck are easy to clean with common household cleaners such as bleach and Pine-Sol. The effluent can be reduced to almost nothing by the weekly additions of agricultural lime. Over time, the pit will have to be cleaned out, but this is the same type of cleaning most septic tanks have to go through on a yearly basis.
Another alternative is to use an open-top, 55-gallon drum that has been treated on the interior with a spray-on plastic. Once the receptacle is full, the barrel can be removed and allowed to generate into compost.
As Comfortable as the Home
The interior of the outhouse does not have to resemble the atmosphere of an old barn. It can be finished with paneling on the walls and carpet on the floor. Lighting can easily be incorporated into the layout of the building just as the inside bathroom. Baseboard heating is a simple method of keeping the small space warm on a cold winter's eve. The room can also be made large enough for a changing area. Exhaust fans properly placed will keep the room as fresh as the interior bath as well. Some designs even incorporate the same exterior design as the home, using the same type of siding and corner-trim work. A covered walkway can also be used to keep the short trek from the home to the privy a dry one.
On the Basics
At the very least, an outhouse should be located away from areas that may get soggy or flooded in heavy rains. A simple outhouse, one that uses a dug-out hole for the receptacle, should be light enough so it can be moved when the hole gets full. Use the dirt from the new hole to cover the old hole. A coffee can with a tight-fitting lid can be used to hold a roll of toilet paper. If you do not have the capacity for running electricity to the privy, then keep a flashlight on a metal hook for those evening adventures. A locking device that can be worked from the inside may also be a good idea to keep away any intrusion. The door decoration is definitely up to the one who build the outhouse. The crescent moon was used not only as a form of ventilation but also to allow some light into what is a dark small room.
Related posts
Build an OuthouseSometimes, having an outhouse is just about that "coolness" factor; other times, its value is nostalgic or even practical. If you live somewhere where building your very...
The decor should flow from one room to the next.When choosing a color scheme for adjoining rooms, aim to create a sense of flow throughout the interior of your home. Decorating each room in the ho...
Once a staple on any property, outhouses are now used more for decoration.Outhouses, in some form or fashion, have been around ever since man decided he needed some privacy when doing his "bu...
Colonial homes are part of the rich tradition of American architecture. Originally bringing European style to the shores of the Northeastern America, colonists began a tradition of classic home de...
Painting a hallway can make it look better.Painting a hallway is a great way to keep the decorating scheme of the house consistent and attractive. There are a number of easy ways to paint a hallwa...
