How to Build a Tire Wall

Obtain an adequate amount of tires. Tire dealers often have a large volume of used tires that they are willing to sell cheaply or even give away. Tires used should be of a uniform size. The exception to this is when larger tires, often filled with concrete, are used for the first course, or level. Estimate the number of tires required by determining the planned wall length and dividing this length by the diameter of the tires used. Multiply this number by the number of courses, or tires high, the wall will be.

Prepare the foundation by ensuring that the ground is solid and level. The foundation can either be poured concrete or compacted subsoil, depending on soil characteristics, local ordinances and engineer or architect recommendation. The foundation should be wider than the walls to ensure stability.

Pack the tires. Block the center hole on one side with a piece of cardboard. Shovel dirt into the hole, then place dirt into the tire cavity until it is full. Compact the dirt into the cavity by pounding it with a sledgehammer. Repeat this filling and pounding until no more dirt can be added. If you don't want to use dirt, you can use smashed, compacted aluminum cans instead. Either fill all the tires at once or pack them as needed.

Lay the first course of tires along the foundation. Fill the holes in these tires with concrete rather than with dirt or aluminum can infill if this is desired or required by building code.

Lay the second course after the first course is complete and, if concrete was used, dry. Place the filled tires in the second layer on top of the first course so that their centers are directly above where two tires meet below.

Continue to build up the wall in this alternating manner until the desired height is reached.

Infill the tires, after roofing and other portions of the construction have been completed enough to provide protection from the elements. There are a number of materials that can be used to infill and coat the walls. These range from aluminum cans and reinforced cement mortar for the exterior to metal lath or chicken wire attached directly to the tires and coated with multiple layers of stucco.