Cob: Cob insulation

[Jeanne Leimkuhler]

If I am remembering correctly something that I heard about recently, Pumice
is also used in the manufacture of stone washed jeans. Because of the
popularity of this treatment to clothing and perhaps due to it's inclusion
in building materials as well, Pumice mining in New Mexico is destroying
the environment in some areas because it is in such high demand.
I have nothing against using other materials than those you can find on
your land, but everything that you purchase is harvested, excavated or
manufactured in someone else environment, usually on a huge scale, and it
is good to be aware of how that place is being effected. If you use natural
materials that come from your land or nearby, you are able to have a better
awareness of how their original environment was effected by their removal.
Jeanne


>Another insulation idea in current use is the Pumice of New Mexico,
>Washington, Oregon.  Have you heard of PumiceCrete   Pumice is volcanic rock
>full of little air holes, mixed with adobe or concrete in use now, or maybe
>when mixed with Cob it would do the same thing, provide insulation, lighten
>the mass a little and maybe be the best combination of mass and insulation.
>Just trucking in building materials isn't any reason not to use a particular
>building material.  Anyone who has built a home knows it is nearly impossible
>to do all construction with materials found on site.  Usually some things
>need to be trucked in.  Pearlite, Vermiculite, Pumice, are all light weight
>and will be cheaper to haul than most building materials.
>Lyle



Jeanne Leimkuhler
Senior Designer
InterArt/Sunrise Publications
Bloomington, In