What Is The Difference Between Adobe And Cob

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. Building with cob is a sensory and aesthetic experience like sculpting with clay.

Is Adobe or COB better?

Cob is a monolithic structure usually with rounded walls and reinforced with straw, so it is immensely stronger than adobe brick walls and done properly will resist even large earthquakes.

How long will a cob house 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.

Is cob better than concrete?

In fact, adobe/cob is still the primary building material for over 30% of the global population. Not only can they be easily found in nature, and are easy to mix and build with, but they are also much “kinder” and cooler to live in than concrete houses.

Can you extend a cob house?

Cob is a fantastic material to extend any home. It’s affordable, sustainable, and easy to do yourself. Whether you live in a 15th Century Tudor cottage, a brick Victorian terrace or a detached new build, then consider cob for your extension. Cob can work with any existing building.

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.

How do you build a cob house?

Cob Pros and Cons

1. Pros.
2. Cons.
3. Prepare the mixture. Cob is a mixture of approximately 1 part clay, 4 parts sand and 1 part straw.
4. Build a foundation. Cob walls are heavier than those made of light timber.
5. Mix.
6. Build and sculpt.
7. Plaster.
8. Maintain.

What happens to a cob house when it rains?

So for example as you build a cob building you can leave that building exposed under the weather, meaning it can get rained on a lot, and in most cases it’s not going to take major damage. You build your foundation stem wall high. Usually about a foot or foot and a half high up off the ground.

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.

Is a cob house waterproof?

Cob is very resistant to weathering. Because of its porous nature, it withstands long periods of rain without weakening. However, too much exposure is best avoided by the “boots and cap” strategy: wide roof eaves to protect the walls and an impervious foundation.

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.

Can cob houses be built in cold climates?

Cob is a mixture of sand, clay and straw like adobe but not formed into bricks. Cob is not a suitable design for cold climates like those found in northern Canada and Scandinavia but for southern climates with infrequent snow fall it can be suitable.

Why are adobe houses flat?

Why do the Southwestern people put flat roofs on their Adobe built houses? One reason is that in an arid climate, flat roofs with parapets allow the capture and collection of rain water, which can be collected in cisterns, rather than allowing this precious resource to be wasted by running off onto the ground.

Can a cob house burn?

Fire Proof Cob does not catch fire. However, still be aware of your ceiling or roof as it might not be flame resistant like the body of the cob home.

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.

What is Adobe cob?

Adobe is Spanish for ‘mudbrick’, but in some English-speaking regions of Spanish heritage the term is used to refer to any kind of earthen construction. Most adobe buildings are similar in appearance to cob and rammed earth buildings. Adobe is among the earliest building materials, and is used throughout the world.

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.

Is a cob house fireproof?

Cob is fireproof, resistant to seismic activity, and uses low-cost materials, although it is very labour intensive. It can be used to create artistic and sculptural forms, and its use has been revived in recent years by the natural building and sustainability movements.

Do adobe houses burn?

Fire, Pest and Mold Resistant: Adobes are fire, sound and bug resistant. Earthen walls do not burn, they are dense and solid to discourage insects, and they “breathe” easily so they are mold resistant and promote healthy indoor air-quality.

Can cob be used underground?

Cob and underground, as a general rule, are not friendly, compatible concepts. This is NOT to say that it’s impossible to do, just that the kinds of extra work and expense to make it happen renders it not worth doing.

How much does cob 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.