What is the difference between a cob house and adobe house?

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.

How big can a cob house be?

A: There is no inherent size limitation on cob or any other building system that I know of. If you look in the literature you will find cob mansions in England and cob towers in South Yemen nine stories high! That being said, cob walls can take a lot of work to build, as do most other natural building techniques.

Can you live in a cob house?

If you want to live mortgage and debt free then a cob home is a very good option to consider. Cob houses can usually be built by the owner. You don’t need a degree in architecture or to be a structural engineer to build a cob home. Many people build their own homes after taking a one week long cob building workshop.

Can you get a mortgage on a cob house?

Cob houses are generally acceptable to most mortgage companies, but it is worth checking with a financial advisor before making a mortgage application. Like many other older building methods, thatched roofs offer excellent thermal properties, as well as looking particularly attractive on the top of an old cottage.

How long can cob houses last?

How long does cob last? The oldest cob house currently standing is 10,00 years old. If this doesn’t speak to how strong and durable cob houses are, then nothing will. Cob houses are built to stand forever as long as their roofs are maintained, and they are properly looked after.

What are the disadvantages of a cob house?

The preliminary disadvantage of a cob house is that its labor intensive. Most people get discouraged from building a cob house solely because of the time and labor it requires. Another con of a cob house is that it can not endure wetness.

What are cob house roofs made of?

From sod to straw, wool to wood, there are a variety of roof insulation options for cob houses.