Is Cob Load Bearing?

Cob uses no molds, forms, or bricks to create, it is a free-flowing claylike medium sculpted onto a foundation to create thick, load-bearing walls.

Can you hang things on cob walls?

A: It’s possible to hang fairly light objects from a cob wall just by putting screws into the wall. This works for pictures, wall hangings, etc. You can also screw wooden hangers to the wall (for coats etc.) as long as they won’t have too much weight on them.

What are the benefits of cob?

Coordination of benefits (COB) allows plans that provide health and/or prescription coverage for a person with Medicare to determine their respective payment responsibilities (i.e., determine which insurance plan has the primary payment responsibility and the extent to which the other plans will contribute when an

Can you drill into cob walls?

Cob is purely mud so a normal drill will be more than sufficient. Cob walls hate vibration as it breaks down the bond holding it together weakening it.

How long does it take for cob to cure?

It can take months to years for your cob to dry out fully. The bulk of the moisture will dry out in the first year, but it will not fully cure for 1-2 years beyond that. Once you’ve built your cob house and added your roof, allow it to breathe for several months before moving in.

What is thickness of cob wall?

18 to 24 inches thick
Rammed earth walls could be mistaken as cob. But they are much thinner at 9 inches only, while cob could be 18 to 24 inches thick. The other differences being smoother surface of rammed earth, very few surface cracks, no need for plastering and such others.

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

Are cob houses strong?

It’s a strong and durable material – houses can last for a very, very long time – if maintained and looked after properly. The oldest standing cob house is reportedly 10,000 years old.

Is cob as strong as concrete?

Cob has unique properties which make it as strong and more durable than concrete (see ‘How is Cob so strong’) the oldest Cob building is over 10,000 years old. Cob is resistant to fire, termites and mould.

What are the disadvantages of cob houses?

Disadvantages:

• Labour intensive.
• Relatively slow to build.
• Obtaining a mortgage from lending institutions is difficult.
• Cob walls cannot be laid in wet or freezing weather.
• Insects, notably termites and small rodents can burrow into the walls and weaken them.

Can cob houses withstand rain?

Rain can be one of the main enemies to the integrity of your cob structure. But at the same time, cob walls can actually withstand a tremendous amount of water hitting them and still be fine. Its more the slow “drip” and consistent dampness that we want to avoid.

Can you get a mortgage on a cob house?

Although it may be possible to secure a Cob construction house mortgage, this will be based on it being a non-standard construction mortgage – just as similar alternative construction materials such as straw bales, concrete panels, or wattle and daub will also be classified as non-standard construction by a mortgage

Can cob be used as a foundation?

Cob house foundations can be built using a variety of materials, but they are mostly built with solid, non-corroding materials like concrete or stone. A good foundation is vital to the life of your building and it should be given the thorough consideration it deserves as a critical piece of the structure.

What is the R value of a cob wall?

R-0.22 per inch
According to the Cob Code Appendix U on Cob Construction, the unit R-value for cob walls is R-0.22 per inch of cob thickness. This comes out to about R-2.64 per foot thick of cob wall.

How are cob houses waterproof?

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. In windy areas a lime-sand plaster is traditionally used to protect exterior cob walls.

How long does a cob live?

Gypsy Vanner (also called the Gypsy Horse, Irish Cob, or Traditional Gypsy Cob): 25-30+ years. Hackney: 25-30 years. Haflinger: 30-35 years.

Are cob houses well insulated?

Put bluntly, cob is a pathetic insulator. This goes for any earthen building material. But what earthen materials lack in insulation properties they make up for with thermal retention. Cob is also a very poor conductor of heat and has very low thermal conductivity.

How tall can you build a cob wall?

How High Can You Build a Cob Wall? Cob homes are typically one or two stories tall. It’s rare to see a cob house go up more than two levels in height. In the country of Yemen, there are earthen structures that reach up to seven stories tall.

Is cob a good building material?

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.

Are cob walls soundproof?

Build a cob home for your family and it will last for many many generations to come. Earthen walls have very good sound-absorbing properties that keep it quiet inside, both from exterior noises and noise generated in the same building.

Is cob rammed earth?

What is the difference between rammed earth and cob? Rammed earth is a structural wall system, which is composed of gravel, sand, and clay compacted to a stone like hardness. Cob walls are made of sand, clay and straw.