[Cob] update on subfloor insulation

[Tys Sniffen]

We actually got started cobbing yesterday!  It was a bit colder than I would
have chosen, but it was still satisfying to get some mud on the project.  

 

With only 8 or so batches (small ones - 2 5 gal buckets of sand, 1 of clay)
I have already come to some conclusions about the insulation process for the
floor:

 

We were trying to do a inch layer of perlite cob (again 4 to 1) and then put
3 inches of roadbase cob (4 to 1) on top of that for the subfloor.  [This
will get about another 1.5 inches of radiant tube layer cob and finished
floor layers later]

 

At our supply store, we can get a bag of perlite for $14. it's 4 cubic feet,
a big pillow.  Making that into cob, it covers about 22 sq feet of floor,
one inch thick.  We can get that white rigid foam board styrafoam for
something like $10 a sheet, and at 8'x4', it covers 32 sq feet, and you
don't have to mix it into a whole cob batch.  In other words, it's cheaper
and faster to put down, and probably has more R value.  It's not '100%
natural' but I think cheap, and speed, wins out for me on this one. 

 

Of course, I still have to find out what the 'bounce' factor is, and it'll
be a week or more before I know, since I can't walk on this layer yet. 

 

Just wanted to let you know. 

Cheers,

Tys

 

 

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