[Cob] foundation, concrete

[Amanda Peck]

Choices are based on what's available, how far it has to come to get to you 
(from the store or from the world), how much it costs, how much experience 
you or your acquaintances have working with it.  And whether you like it.

Stone foundations sound good, maybe with gravel under that.  Although we 
used concrete block down at the barn.  And the barn has a metal 
roof--manufacturer 50 miles south (I assume they buy sheet metal which they 
form and add the color) and I can get it delivered.

Because I want a very low slope roof that will give me potable (drinking 
quality) water, I may use one of the high-tech roofs (brush-on EPDM--the 
rubber roof) for the next big building project on the list--talking to some 
rammed earth people now about that.  Only some cob for the details

But tile is gorgeous.  Not very available in my area.  Probably have to 
order the other stuff, but it comes in buckets, and not pallets on a truck 
that I might have to unload by myself.  I can drive a forklift, but I don't 
own one, and they're not really happy on rough or steep ground.

But yes, cob--pure or with some parts done with the wattle and daub 
technique I've seen in pictures from Serbia seems to me to be a perfectly 
sensible way to build.

You may get to think about earthquakes.  I'd have to if I lived 80 or a 
hundred miles west, there's a fault there that might let go one of these 
years.

............

Predag wrote (snipped)
I understand that answers to many of my questions depend on building place
etc., but let we consider other sides of that problem. Stone foundations are
common in our tradition and my idea is to follow that (without concrete) for
a house of about 90 sq. meters (about 1000 sq. ft).
As a roof I would use something among more natural materials, if I can't
find other material, maybe using ceramics tiles.
About walls - I'm thinking of cob (pure cob :))

I must admit that I am sometimes confused about someone's choice for
building and compromises regarding that. Is it caused by accessibility,
price, quality...? I would not use concrete nor plastic. Is it realistic?