Cob floors

[LEGALIZEIT]

Eric Hart wrote:
> 
> At 01:30 PM 12/6/97 -0800, you wrote:
> 
> >>[Will Firstbrook  WCB of BC]
> >>Great Idea. Did you do your floor like the one described in the Cobbers
> >>companion? Being a little impatient the thing I wonder about is would I wait
> >>that long before I start the walls.
> >
> >Will  -  Yes,  I used the directions in the "Cobbers Companion".  Very easy
> to understand and full of >information.  My first introduction to cob floors
> was at a basic cob building workshop.  My second >was visiting Eric Hoel in
> Salem, Oregon.  He installed a cob floor prior to walling, and I was
> inspired by its look, feel and practicability.
> >
> >As far as waiting for the floor to dry:  The dying time depends on how thin
> your floor "batter" is, and >upon the weather.  I did not find I had to wait
> any significant nail-biting time.  There is ALWAYS >something to do and you
> do not have to wait for a complete cure.  You will be able to walk and >work
> on it in its leather hard state.  Besides, either way you go on the floor,
> installing before or after >the wall, you are going to have to wait for it
> to dry.  I suspect that the floor will dry much more >quickly without walls
> around it rather than waiting until after the building is up.  You will get
> much >more air flow. Remember though, you still want a temporary roof over
> your structure.
>         Exactly how long did you wait for the floor to dry?  How thin was
> your floor 'batter'?  I know somebody in Wisconsin who did an earthen floor
> and it took at least two months to dry (to even be firm enough to walk on
> it).  So I'm curious to know how long it takes and a drying time of less
> than a month would be the best.  I'm thinking it wouldn't be very practical
> to put in  your floor and then build the walls while it dries.  Floors
> always get trashed during construction and I would imagine a curing floor
> would be easily damaged.  So, I guess you have to exterior finishing work
> while the floor is drying.  If you have a detailed work schedule that
> involves an earthen/cob floor I would be interested in seeing it.  Putting
> in the sub floor and then putting up the walls sounds like a good idea.  How
> long does the finish coat take to dry?  Its the thinnest so might only take
> a week or two.
> 
> Eric D. Hart
> Community Eco-design Network
> PO Box 6241
> Minneapolis, Minnesota  55406  USA
> (612) 306-2326
> http://www.tc.umn.edu/nlhome/m037/kurtdand/cen/
Please delete us from list.Will hook up next summer. Tkanks