[Cob] strawbale, geodesic domes, and igloos

[Shannon C. Dealy]

On Thu, 22 Jul 2004, Jonathan Walther wrote:

[snip]
> People should leave the invective out, but I have been wondering for a
> long time about how straw bale compares to cob.

There isn't that much to a comparison:

   Strawbale is: faster to build with, much better insulation,
                 provides moderate thermal mass, structurally weaker, and
                 has settling issues that must be dealt with.

   Cob is:       stronger, more sculptural, provides great thermal
                 mass, slower to build with, and very poor insulation,

[snip]
> are we so invested in cob that straw bale can't be considered?

Frankly, yes we are.  This is the cob list, there is a strawbale list for
those who want to discuss strawbale.  It is however permissible to discuss
building combined cob/strawbale buildings on this list, but strawbale
specific questions should be addressed to the strawbale list whose
location I posted in my last message.

[snip]
> Actually, I have been wondering if igloo style roofing couldn't be done
> with straw bale.  Cut the straw bales to the right size and shape, and
> stack them up in a spiral to form a dome roof.  Great insulation.  Any
> thoughts?

This would be better addressed to the strawbale list, because it is not
about cob, and because you are far more likely to find people who might
have tried something like this on that list rather than this one.



Shannon C. Dealy      |               DeaTech Research Inc.
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