What is Cob?

Photo by Scott Worland

Cob is best described as mud daubing. Earth, sand, and straw are mixed together and massaged onto the foundation, creating thick, long lasting, load bearing walls. It's like hand building a giant pot to live in. Furniture, alcoves, fireplaces, and shelves can be sculpted in as you build.

Recycled materials such as windows and doors are easy to incorporate. Foundation options include dry stone walls, mortared stone, or concrete.

You may choose your roof from many possibilities. Natural earthen plaster and paints give the walls a lovely personal finish.

For thousands of years people have been living in earth homes. The best part is, it's affordable and you can build the house yourself. It's fun, and your creation can last hundreds of years.