[Cob] Cob in the cold, with bears

[Bill Wright]

Hi Iona,
If I were in your shoes I would also suggest, "bale-cob". Cut straw bales in 1/2 lengthwise, or use them whole. Use a cob straightening coat on the inside and the outside 2-3" thick over the bales. I would also suggest you make it round and make it as small as you can get away with. Bears won't be able to get thru bale-cob; not that I've had to test it ;^) but my building is bale-cob, and it's amazingly strong. I staked the bales together w/ 4' stakes, pinning each row to the one beneath it, and stacked like bricks.

Again if it were me. . . I would put a reciprocal roof up first and build the walls in after that. Reciprocal roof w/ a living/earthen roof that is. Conversely, you could put the walls up, and put the reciprocal roof on them w/ a cable tension ring. Or if you have access to timbers, build your ring 1st out of timbers, and put the reciprocal roof on that. If you don't like the idea of bales, then I would suggest cordwood cob, especially if you want to do it during a short building season in the North Eastern US.

Have you decided on a heat source? Have you considered a Rocket Mass Heater? 

Happy Building!
Bill

Bill Wright, L.Ac., DNBAO
Wright Acupuncture and Massage
251 Auburn Ravine Rd., Ste. #205
Auburn, CA 95603
530-886-8927
"There is no path to healing, healing is the path" 


> On Apr 3, 2017, at 7:13 PM, Iona Fairlight Hawken <ionahawken at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi all--
> This has probably been covered before, but if I really want to build a cob house in a very cold area (like Maine), what are the options? Can I build a double cob wall with insulation (wool?) in between? 
> Also, is cob vulnerable if a hungry bear is trying to enter? Or would it withstand a bear? 
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
> Best, Iona 
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