Housing Material Alternatives: Cobb Does The Job

Vinyl siding, 2x4 framing, fibreglass insulation

, and drywall are all standard components in most American homes. However, as consumers become more educated about how and from where the materials used to build their homes are sourced, more contractors and do-it-yourself homeowners are thinking outside the box. Cobb houses are becoming increasingly popular for this reason. Their construction uses ancient techniques and natural materials, making them a viable option for sustainable, and sometimes more affordable, new homes.

The history of cobb houses goes back, way back. Some sources say that cobb has been used as a construction medium since prehistoric times. Perhaps the most well-known cobb homes are in the UK, where quaint cobb cottages with thatched roofs have thrived throughout centuries of miserable British weather. There are many other countries, however, that exhibit some great examples of cobb building. Some of the oldest buildings of human construction in Afghanistan are made of what we know as cobb and rammed earth. Records and archeological evidence show the existence of cobb dwellings in the Middle East as far back as the 11th and 12th centuries.

Cobb is a dense mixture made from straw, sand, and clay-based subsoil. These materials are usually mixed by hand and/or tractor. The excavation of the home's site will often yield enough soil for use in the walls of the dwelling. Construction time depends on the number of labourers involved, but most cobb enthusiasts are eager to pitch in on communal projects for educational and community-building purposes. It is said that the time it takes to build a cobb house is of little importance to the builders, given the cameraderie and fun they experience throughout the event.

Like any building medium, cobb has its share of pros and cons. Two drawbacks to the cobb building technique are labour intensity and time. Mixing and building can be taxing on those not accustomed to manual labour, especially if there isn't a large group of helpers available. If you're not a very patient person, you may want to reconsider building a cobb house. The sections (called "lifts) of the house must be built in stages so that there are several days of drying between new additions of wet cobb. Cobb homes must be built in clement weather. Also, because the walls are so thick, they take anywhere from six to nine months to dry completely and shrink to their permanent size. Windows and doors can't be added until the shrinking process is complete, so it could take up to 15 months to completely finish a cobb house.

A cobb house is a worthwhile endeavor for anyone willing to get dirty and learn a thing or two in the process, or to pay someone else to do the grunt work! These dwellings are cheap to build, very durable, offer warmth during the winter (and coolness in the summer), and allow for a creative construction process and easy renovations in the future. Many cobb-building workshops are put on every year throughout North America, which means that education is widespread and accessible. Courses can be anywhere from one weekend to 6 months in length and educational opportunities are ongoing.

by: Dallas Luxury Realty

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