COB Curious?

Playing in the mud is of course good times, throw in some straw and sand and you've got cob, a building material you can make a house out of. Cob is different from Pise, in that there are no blocks or cement used. The clay acts as the glue that holds it all together. The sand and the straw keep it strong once dried. It is fully insulated naturally.

Cob is used in cold climates, and is resistant to rain, it works in desert climates as well. Cob house have been know to last over 500 years. In areas like Great Britain where cob houses still stand, you will find some are maintained with a stucco covering.

But it's climate versatility isn't always the main reason people choose cob, it's the versatility of looks you can acheive. Cob is reminiscent of sculpting with clay, a perfect resource for way-out designs, or designs meant to go with the flow of the environment.

Benefits of building with cob include a chemical-free home, and a recyclable home. You won't even need to plug in your power saw to build with it. If you're wondering how to get started, www.cobcottge.com has courses you can sign up for to learn how to build your own cob house.