Sahara Sjovaettir

Can you plaster over earthbags, with cob, both inside and outside? Either the original version, or hyperadobe (linked below)? Assume the earth used has no portland cement in it or anything like that. If earthbag was used, would I need to use burlap instead of those white bags I see in most photos, to give the cob something to stick to?

http://earthbagbuilding.com/articles/hyperadobe.htm


I am thinking this route because the soil doesn't have enough clay for cob in my yard or locally where it would be feasible to dig enough clay for a structure, but there is always ads for free fill dirt.

Was anyone able to find a good source for raschel spools?

Thanks - I'll contact them too!

I just read another post, referencing that Klamath County at one point (prior to '09) gave out an experimental permit for a cob house. That's more promising - if anyone knows anything about that, details, I could really use the info!

Frustratingly, I am not currently IN Oregon, so I can't just go to the permit offices of different counties and ask around about cob. I know they would be more open to the idea in person (sitting down, showing photos, explanation) than over the phone, and I don't want to botch my chance.

http://ecodes.biz/ecodes_support/free_resources/Oregon/11_Residential/PDFs/Chapter%201_Scope%20and%20Administration.pdf


See the right side of the page, 'Owner-built exempt'.

Can anyone give me more info on this? Does that mean that I can use cob so long as I build it myself (which I intend to)? Or what requirements are given to 'owner-build' houses?

Jami McBride wrote:
BTW - some people build as you say 100 sf sheds for each 'room' of their house and connect them with breezeways. Just another possibility.

I'd worry about heating that sort of structure... You'd have to build a rocket heater for each room, I'd think. I'd hate to be in a warm bedroom, but then have to go to a freezing kitchen or icy bathroom! Unless you know of a way to insulate said breezeways... but that would probably take them out of the 'non-permit-required' breezeways, I imagine...

I sent them a message!

I asked them, and they said that they don't have permits for their buildings (they probably slide through with the 'under 120zqft and it's a shed' rule). But I want to build a full house, so...

Jami McBride wrote:I've been busy and out of touch this last year, but before I got busy the 'cob code' for Oregon was cob is not legal -

Cob not legal to code (even with engineer approval?)? Can anyone confirm this? Or deny (has anyone at all had cob approved in Oregon)?

It is pacific northwest, and we won't be on grid for electric so we can't run a swamp cooler.