Dangerous buiding renovation dilemma...

[Nemesis]

Cob:

http://www.earthedworld.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=4

No, grant aid is in very short supply - even for important buildings.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,61-2301781,00.html

 

[Maris]

What a nice web-site- hadn't seen that one before.
Something that many of these cob companies have in common that bothers me is that they show very, very few restorations on their websites. I know that doesn't mean that they don't do repair work, and I'm also very much in favour of new cob builds. But its a shame if a new build is perceived as preferable to a 200 year old repaired structure. As well as which, building control are likely to demand insulation inside new cob walls, thus instantly removing the charm of a plastered cob surface; repaired cob that was previously plastered is viewed as a like-for-like repair and the slightly lower u-values just have to be accepted.

 

[Nemesis]

I agree - dry lining may save some energy costs but it does remove much of the charm and I do wonder about the breathability, even with supposedly breathable materials. The only thing which can be said is that if walls are lined it is reversible in future.


I do wonder about so much of this u values stuff though - how much energy expenditure, in a wider sense, than simply repair of what's there? Sure make sure things are draughtproofed (but that can go too far...), secondary glazing, possibly, and lofts insulated, but I think walls which are thick and meant to be breathable are better left. We mess with things at our peril.

But - we meet with Building Control and rules is rules - see Gervase's thread. Listed you may be OK - unlisted... hmmmm.

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/earth/earth.htm

http://www.cobblocks.co.uk/

http://www.brianfranklin.co.uk/CT Cob Wall Repair.html

http://transitionculture.org/?page_id=97

A google seach cob building repair brings heaps of sites... courses, people, and a google image search is useful too...

 

[Lynn]

It is hard to believe that cob can support the weight of a building. I have always wanted to build a bread oven in the backyard, but was intimidated by the brickwork involved...those cob ovens seem very easy. They didn't provide the recipes for the cob and plaster...any experienced people with the proper proportions for an oven situation?

Totally inspiring website.

 

[Nemesis]

Try asking here?

http://www.earthedworld.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=PNphpBB2&file=index

 

[middi]

I must hand it to you Evelyn, you are an endless mine of information and guidance where historic buildings is the subject for discussion.

Good on you.

 

[Nemesis]

Others may say a total bleedin' anorak Middi... but thank you.

What I don't know I usually have others far more informed than I to ask on some matters!

 

[NT]

Others may say a total bleedin' anorak Middi... but thank you.

imagine going through life with nothing that ever really captures your interest. Many people live like that, you're lucky.

NT

 

[Nemesis]

Ah if only this was my only interest... then I might get useful things done. Housework, that sort of thing. Normal things.

Sadly I can bore for England on a number of topics...

 

[Penners]

Sadly I can bore for England on a number of topics...

The next Olympics are only two years away. Time to step up the training. :wink:

 

[Nemesis]

Two years?

2012 I thought... sums however is NOT my Mastermind subject of choice. You mean there's one before then? Untold hours of telly space consumed?

Oh eck.

 

[Penners]

Every four years, come rain or shine...

 

[NT]

It is hard to believe that cob can support the weight of a building. I have always wanted to build a bread oven in the backyard, but was intimidated by the brickwork involved...those cob ovens seem very easy. They didn't provide the recipes for the cob and plaster...any experienced people with the proper proportions for an oven situation?

Totally inspiring website.

I've read recipes but cant find or remember them. Since an oven is not load supporting, I doubt the propertions would be important. I only recall they used subsoil, lime & straw, and sometimes other bits. It would probably survive if you used nothing but mud.


NT

 

[Lynn]

I decided to order up this book through our library system:

http://www.intabas.com/kikodenzer.html#ovenbook

It ought to get us going in the right direction

 

[biffvernon]

Cob ovens are dead easy. Take the topsoil, one spade's depth off, then use the subsoil below. You get less cracking if there is a goodly proportion of sand but it doesn't really matter. Add lots of straw. Add enough water to mix into a workable mud. The more you mix the better. Then build into whatever shape you want. . If you are going for tricky shaped structures incorporate some sticks to give support while the mud is still soft. Light the fire - you don't have to wait till it dries. Have some more mix handy incase cracks and leaks develop. You just slap some more mud over the weak bits. Great fun. The stuff sets really hard and will last for ages and is infinitely repairable.

 

[Penners]

Add lots of straw.

Biff - how does the embedded straw survive the very high temperatures of an oven? Doesn't it just crumble to ash inside the mud?

 

[biffvernon]

Maybe, maybe not. The bits that get so hot won't need the straw to add strength as the mud will be baked very hard. The outer, cooler parts can do with the straw staying intact. Anyway the straw helps when you are building. Without straw it may all slump down.

 

[Penners]

Interesting - thanks.

 

[Moo]

If mud is baked to a high enough temperature, it turns into brick.