[Cob] Re: Cob R Value

[frank]

Hi All,

Although Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building 
Methods, HC ISBN 0471249513 5/2000 & SC ISBN 0471719382 
3/2005) does not provide an R-Value for cob, it has an excellent 
chapter (chapter 3) comparing several building styles (stick frame, 
straw bale, adobe & hybrids) in 6 U.S. cities.  Since your e-mail 
address indicates that you are in Canada the ones for Helena, 
Montana, Denver Colorado and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are 
probably the ones of most interest.  Although they were careful to 
say that no absolutes in one being better than all others, hybrids 
combining mass and insulation definitely appeared to perform better 
in both extremes of hot and cold climates.  

bfn,
Frank Hanlan	
Edmonton, AB
Canada