| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| rhubarb |
cob houseshi everyone..now that i have an expanding family i'm becoming more and more concerned about leaving a green planet for future generations and bringing my kids up in a healthy and peaceful place.. i've been doing a bit of research into building our own home and came across info on cob houses.. has anyone built their own home or know anything about this as i would be very grateful of any input or opinons anyone can throw my way.. cheers ruth xxx |
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| gz |
cob housesThere was an exhibition at St Ffagan's(Welsh National History Museum) about cob/clom a couple of years ago.The house in the museum, Nantwallter I think, is worth seeing. They would be able to give you the names of other people to contact- probably Gervase knows them too? |
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| vegplot |
There's a bit of revival for cob built houses. You could start by visit CAT (Centre for Alternative Technology) or asking for information on the cob courses they run. There are also a number of useful books available online from their website.
Cob is a clay based earth mix with chopped straw, farmyard manure is often added, which is built up in layers to form a solid wall. The exterior is rendered in lime (never use cement) and the interior either with clay or lime or even earth (as long as it has a high enough clay content). It need good footings to keep it's feet dry and a good hat (over hanging roof, often thatch). Many a cob building has been ruined by unsympathetic or restoration. Avoid the use of modern paints either inside or out as they can prevent the building from breathing. |
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| RichardW |
You will need either a mechanical mixer or lots of helpers.
Richard |
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| vegplot |
Or both 
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| Chez |
I agree with going to visit CAT. And a friend of mine lives in a cob cottage in Devon that she has been renovating. I've got a book somewhere about alternative building methods that's got some info about cob in it; I'll see if I can find the reference. If I remember rightly, there is a modern way to do it that involves compacting the walls mechanically in 18 inch steps, which then allows you to build them up more quickly. | ||||
| vegplot |
Mechanical compaction is often reserved for earth walls in which the mix (a clay ricj earth, no straw or manure is used) is drier than cob and requires heavier compacted to bind the particles together. As cob is wetter it only needs tamping rather than compaction but doing this mechanically using a plate vibrator can speed up the process and is certainly less tiring.
Edit: Sorry, being pedantic. 
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| Chez |
 Yes, I think it was the vibratey thing that I read about - I didn't take it all on board as I was concentrating on the strawbale bits.
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| vegplot |
Much more interesting 
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| Chez |
Rhubarb - there are various people in various stages of eco-build here; we are kicking around the idea of a strawbale one. | ||||
| vegplot |
The fireplace back in our new build is going to be built in rammed earth.
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| Gervase |
There's an excellent and very cheap book by Jane Schofield on building with cob, published by the Black Dog Press of Crediton - Amazon has it, I believe.
Also, take a look at the Cob in Cornwall site, where you'll find all sorts of links, plus details of a more advanced book by Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce on building with cob. Cob is an excellent material, but it's hard work, and you'll need a lot more clay, straw, muck etc than you ever believed you would. Mechanical help - unless you have a willing army of volunteers and half a lifetime for the project - is pretty much essential. |
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| Bulgarianlily |
I would start by taking a good look at the soil you are likely to use for building. If it hasn't got a good clay in it, forget cob, you don't want to be trucking in the right soil over any distance. If it is clay, then I would look at light straw or sawdust clay, that cob is heavy stuff, and needs to go on thickly. My favourite book is 'Build it green' by Clarke Snell and Tim Callaghan, that covers a lot of methods. I think cob is great for thermal mass, but I personally perfer something with more insulating value. We are working with the 'light' cob mixes and cordwood here from next month, if anyone wants to come out for a visit! | ||||
| Tavascarow |
I would build with strawbales if it was me.
A lot faster & cheaper on the labour front unless you are going to do it all yourself & your soil is the right consistency.
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| rhubarb |
hey guys.. thanks for all the info.. am going to look into doin a course at some point but as the wee one is still breastfeeding its a bit difficult.. also need to sell our property down south first..i did like the sound of a straw bail house but the hubby is a bit conventional where as i would live in a cave.. need to get him round to my way of thinking..lol.. i'll keep planning..
take care xxx |
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| Chez |
If we get our strawbale planning permission you can bring him to have a look .
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| rhubarb |
that sounds great.. i think he'd be more up for it when he sees it for real.. cheers..xxx | ||||
| Bulgarianlily |
My strawbale house, in which I am currently sitting is gorgeous. Small but perfect. Been out all day with the woodstove out, it is freezing this evening, just came home and got a blast of warm air as we opened the doors... lovely... | ||||
| vegplot |
Has he seen this... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/7856738.stm |