Cob: RE: Cob In Canada

[Michael Saunby]

On 12 November 1999 15:48, 2beers [SMTP:2beers at primeline.net] wrote:
> Everything I have read in this list seems to be about building in warm 
climates.
> and No One is addressing the problems of pests such as earth critters 
like worms
> ants any other burrowing creatures there are several...

And everything I read, especially concerns about the suitability of cob to 
climates, gives no detail of climate, other than vague terms like "wet", 
"dry", "warm", or "cold".

We get mice and ants in our walls, a worm would die instantly through the 
desiccating effect of dry clay; our walls have a very high clay content. 
This "pest" (or habitat sharing) "problem" has been going on for centuries 
and has done no serious damage.

My personal experience of living in a cob house in this climate 
http://www.meto.govt.uk/sec3/england/climate.html is that it's comfortable 
all year round, especially in the summer when it regulates daily 
temperature changes very well.

Rainfall  http://www.meto.govt.uk/sec3/england/rainfall.html (use Plymouth 
figures)

Sunshine http://www.meto.govt.uk/sec3/england/sunshine.html

For historical data see 
http://www.meto.govt.uk/sec5/CR_div/UK_Climate/index.html
N.B. Most surviving cob houses in Devon were built 1600 to 1800 when 
average temperatures were significantly lower than today, though of course 
the builders knew nothing of climate change!

Michael Saunby