Table of Contents
Can cob houses withstand rain?
Cob is very resistant to weathering. Because of its porous nature, it withstands long periods of rain without weakening.
What happens if cob gets wet?
There’s all kinds of issues with that but when we look at cob and earth materials what’s special about them is they are vapor permeable so water can get into them, but then it naturally releases from the walls so even if your walls get wet they’re going to have a chance to naturally air out and dry out and there’s no
Are cob houses Mortgageable?
If your house is made of standard bricks and mortar you should be fine, but if it’s made of wattle and daub, cob, flint, has a concrete or timber frame (which can sometimes include asbestos) you may struggle to secure a mortgage on it.
Is cob stronger than concrete?
When mixed in the correct proportions, the resulting material is as strong and durable as concrete, but with absolutely no additional energy needed for production, except the man- (or woman-) power to harvest and mix the ingredients, of course.
Can you have plumbing in a cob house?
Insulation, Wiring and Plumbing It is indeed possible to have indoor plumbing and electricity in a cob home, but you need to make this decision before you begin building the home. The electrical wiring goes in between your cob walls so it should be decided on beforehand.
How can we protect our cob?
The third main thing is to put a render over your cob walls. Normally with cob you put a render, meaning an earthen plaster or a lime plaster. Either one of these is going to help to protect your cob walls. My recommendation is to do a lime render.
What’s the difference between cob and adobe?
How is cob different from adobe? The most basic difference is that adobe is formed into rectangular bricks which are dried in the sun before being used, while cob is built wet. Cob therefore lends itself to organic shapes: curved walls, arches and vaults.
How strong is a cob house?
Cob house is extremely durable as the base material for its structure is natural re-bar which gives strength to the building. The eco-friendly home is also earthquake resistant as the whole structure acts as one monolithic piece which doesn’t develop cracks when the earth shakes.
What is the R value of cob?
A: There has been very little engineering testing done on cob per se. Most of the numbers we use were actually derived from studies of adobe, which is similar in its makeup. Purported R values range from a low of 0.3 per inch to a high of 1 per inch.
How thick should cob walls be?
The walls of a cob house are generally about 24 inches (61 cm) thick, and windows were correspondingly deep-set, giving the homes a characteristic internal appearance.
Why is my cob cracking?
A: Cracking in the walls as they dry indicates that you have too high a concentration of expansive clay in your mix. Most cob in the USA has a lot of both sand and long straw added to the clay soil. The lime you have added may be making the problem worse since lime also shrinks as it dries.
What can you make out of cob?
It’s possible to add cob furniture after the building is made, but it will be easier and stronger to do it as the building grows.
- Cob Fireplaces.
- Cob Around Wood Stoves.
- Cob Construction: Relief Sculptures on the Walls.
- Burying in Shelves, Counters, and Loft Floors.
- Cob Construction: Making Niches or Cubbies in the Walls.
Can you paint a cob house?
Yes! Cob can be painted. You can create all kinds of natural paints and pigments to paint your cob walls.
Can cob hold water?
“Will the cob be strong enough to hold all that water?” Technically yesbut that only goes as fare as just about anythingMay 12, 2015
Do you need planning permission for a cob house?
How easy is it to get planning for a cob house or cob garden studio? Cob houses can be built in any style you want. Garden studios usually don’t need any planning permission, unless you live in a conservation area. Different areas have different regulations though.
Do cob houses burn?
The clay in the cob helps to take the moisture out of the room if humidity is too high, conversely it provides moisture if air is too dry. Fire-Proof: Earth does not burn. Cob is long lasting, durable and easy to repair: Earthen homes can literally last for thousands of years with proper maintenance.
Can you make cob with hay?
Grass hay types should perform very well in cob walls.
Can I get a mortgage on a cob built cottage?
Mortgage lenders may occasionally be asked to provide mortgage finance secured on a cob building. For the surveyor, identification of cob is not always easy but the walls will generally be very thick – typically 450mm or more – with a distinctly wavy and uneven rendered surface.
How long does it take for COB to dry?
Once you make your cob, it will need to dry out full and that can take months to years. The bulk of the moisture will dry out of the walls in the first year, but will not fully cure for 1-2 years past that. Once you build the house and add a roof, you should allow it to breath for many months before moving into it.
How much does it cost to build a cob house?
Cob house cost. A decent cob house can be built for anything ranging around $4,000 – $10,000. However the cost can vary depending on the climatic condition, location and the size of the house. The basic cost, however, may lie somewhere around $2000 – $5000.
How long do cob walls last?
How long will a cob house last? How long does cob last? The oldest cob house still standing is 10,000 years old. Cob is strong, durable and cob houses should stand forever as long as their roof is maintained and the property is looked after properly.
