Cob more straw in cob=more insulation?; sun tubes

Mon Aug 25 14:54:03 CDT 1997

 I certainly have been enjoying this website.  Since I am in the process of building a cob house the information that passes back and forth has been relevant and exciting.  The rock foundation is just about finished, and I am about ready to apply the cob.  I am in the Pacific Northwest, very close to Canada.

My questions are: 

 In leiu of using straw bales for the north side of the house, I am thinking of adding more straw to the cob mixture, and making the wall thicker in that area.  I would hope that I would get more insulation value with the added straw.  Does this make sense?

I met with Eric Hoel, who is building with cob in Oregon.  He is adding more straw to his walls and making them thicker in hopes of getting more insulation value.  Unfortunately, I do not know if the extra work and material is significant enough to warrant incorporating this procedure in my project.  Does anyone have any experience and/or data with regard to extra straw?  

Also, would the extra straw diminish the strength of the wall?  One of the reasons I am thinking of using this method would be for its load bearing capabilities as well as cob's proven longevity.

Does anyone have any information or plans on building Solar Tubes?  I am thinking of incorporating one these for more light.  

Many thanks,  Vernon vajohnston at nas.com

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<P><FONT color=#000000 face=Arial size=2> I certainly have been enjoying 
this website.  Since I am in the process of building a cob house the 
information that passes back and forth has been relevant and exciting.  The 
rock foundation is just about finished, and I am about ready to apply the 
cob.  I am in the Pacific Northwest, very close to Canada.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT color=#000000 face=Arial size=2>My questions are: </FONT>
<P><FONT color=#000000 face=Arial size=2> In leiu of using straw bales for 
the north side of the house, I am thinking of adding more straw to the cob 
mixture, and making the wall thicker in that area.  I would hope that I 
would get more insulation value with the added straw.  Does this make 
sense?</FONT>
<P><FONT color=#000000 face=Arial size=2>I met with Eric Hoel, who is building 
with cob in Oregon.  He is adding more straw to his walls and making them 
thicker in hopes of getting more insulation value.  Unfortunately, I do not 
know if the extra work and material is significant enough to warrant 
incorporating this procedure in my project.  Does anyone have any 
experience and/or data with regard to extra straw?  </FONT>
<P><FONT color=#000000 face=Arial size=2>Also, would the extra straw diminish 
the strength of the wall?  One of the reasons I am thinking of using this 
method would be for its load bearing capabilities as well as cob's proven 
longevity.</FONT>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Does anyone have any information or plans on building 
Solar Tubes?  I am thinking of incorporating one these for more 
light.  </FONT>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Many thanks,  Vernon <A 
href="mailto:vajohnston at nas.com">vajohnston at nas.com</A></FONT></BODY></HTML>