Is cob similar to straw bales?
Cob is not the same thing as straw bales — but they are ecological cousins. Both of them can be used to build houses, both of them make for thick external walls, and both of them are natural and non-toxic. Straw bales are made exclusively from straw that has been bundled together, while cob is less than 10% straw, it is mainly clay and sand. Because of this, straw bales are relatively light, while sections of cob are incredibly heavy. Of course, the weight of a wall greatly affects its performance.
