[Cob] styrocob

[Joseph Kennedy]

I made some cob with clay and vermiculite to insulate a cob oven, and it worked well.  While styrofoam couldn't be used for such a purpose, I think the workability would be similar, so I say go for it for non-structural purposes.  I would grind it superfine (but how to do that without creating airblown particles???) 
 
I say experiment with it all.  There will be an appropriate use for all cob admixtures somewhere by somebody.
 
Joe Kennedy
 
> Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:04:56 -0600
> From: howard at earthandstraw.com
> To: dhowell at pickensprogress.com
> CC: coblist at deatech.com
> Subject: Re: [Cob] styrocob
> 
> I think it is about appropriate use. I think styro in the walls would
> decrease cob strength, possibly critically. But I'm with you on finding
> appropriate use for the wasted materials. Styro is often used sub-grade
> because there are few options for natural insulation that do well below
> grade. Insulating the outside of your rubble trench foundation has it
> benefits. Remember you can insulate horizontally too.
> 
> On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 10:21 AM, Damon Howell
> <dhowell at pickensprogress.com>wrote:
> 
> > I have a lot of discarded stryofoam piled up which I thought I may be able
> > to grind down and mix with cob (you know, to increase insulation value). I
> > wasn't going to build a house, but maybe an outbuilding, just to experiment.
> > Has anyone done this, and is it worthwhile you think?
> > Damon
> >
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Howard Switzer
> 668 Hurricane Creek Road
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