Benefits of Building Cob House
Although most of us still look for a luxurious abode with all the modern amenities, the trend is gradually shifting toward off-grid living. People who want to take the next step toward sustainable living are going for energy-efficient options like cob houses that are inexpensive to build and look aesthetically pleasing.
Cob houses are built using clay, a mixture of sand and straw, lending eco-friendly credentials when compared to modern materials like brick and mortar. Moreover, they are recyclable and non-polluting when demolished.
If you have doubts about the durability of a cob house, then it’s worth mentioning that the oldest cob house still stands after 10,000 years of exposure to the elements. Also, making one for yourself and your family isn’t rocket science as it is very easy to build with the basic knowledge of construction.
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Before having a look at some of the best cob houses from across the globe, let’s have a look at the advantages of building one.
Why a cob house?
Firstly, a cob house looks beautiful due to the design freedom one has while erecting the structure. Cob as a building material is very easy to find, which makes it a practical option. Let’s have a look at some of the highlighting advantages of building a cob house.
# Low cost of building
Since the material used for cob house construction is locally sourced, it is a dirt-cheap method of building a dwelling which will last for years. All you need is a piece of land to erect the structure, and it will cost you almost one-tenth the cost of building a conventional home. As an added advantage there is zero carbon footprint which goes very well for eco-friendly living.
# Healthy indoors
As the cob house is built from natural earth materials, it is absolutely healthy to live in. There are no toxic emissions as compared to a conventional building which uses synthetic and industrial formed materials.
# Energy efficient
One major advantage that a cob house has is its energy-efficient design. This is due to the high thermal mass which keeps the indoor temperature consistent. It is a good option for hot climate areas, as the inside temperature is automatically regulated without the need for any fancy equipment.
# Building flexibility
A cob house is very easy to create in any intended manner, as the user can incorporate unique design elements. Also, the building material (cob) is compatible with other materials like wood or stone which gives the user the option to add some more structural strength.
# Durable and earthquake resistant
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.
# Weather-proof
You might think that a cob house would give way to extreme weather conditions like rain or hailstorm, but it’s exactly the opposite. A cob house is, in fact, durable and will last for years to come. There is no degradation of the material and it stays completely dry.
# Termite and fireproof
Since soil is used as the base material for the building it is almost completely fireproof and termite-proof. This makes cob house one of the safest DIY homes that one can go for.
# Sound insulation
When one talks of acoustic insulation, cob houses are right up there among the best. Walls made from earthen material has excellent sound-absorbing properties which keep the outside noises subdued to a great extent and vice-versa.
Also Read: Why Cob House is an Eco-Friendly Building Option
How to build a cob house?
Building a cob house is about making a home from materials that are natural, available from the vicinity. After all, you just need sand, straw, and clay. It’s a very easy and practical option if you want to build an eco-friendly home. Check out the video below to learn more on how to make a beautiful cob house for yourself.
Originally published at https://www.homecrux.com on February 17, 2018.
