Cob is also very useful for modern eco-construction thanks to its sustainability and flexibility, and the company is increasingly being asked to incorporate it into new build projects.
Cob
This is a type of earth construction material found mainly in southern England and northern Europe. It's been used here for hundreds of years and is the textured exterior (and sometimes interior) of those lovely thatched Devon long houses and Breton barns.
The only two ingredients in cob are straw and clay subsoil, mixed together. The mixing was traditionally done by cattle, but today a digger is more commonly used.
Once the cob is mixed, lumps of it are pitch-forked onto the construction and trodden in by foot to form monolithic walls which, because they are so solid and airtight, have a huge thermal mass which keeps buildings cool in summer and warm in winter.
Cob is normally dug and mixed near the construction site, so is generally carbon neutral in terms of transportation. It is also recyclable and biodegradable, making it a 'super' green material for modern as well as traditional construction projects.
Old and new
Many period cob buildings need specialist attention to return them to their former glory without losing any character. The sympathetic repair and renovation of cob structures is what the company is best known for, especially as the size and complexity of projects has increased along with the tools and techniques for effecting them.
Re-rendering
The company's re-rendering service for cob and stone buildings using lime putty mortars is in high demand in the West Country.
The service involves carefully removing old mortars or hard cement renders from period buildings and then applying several coats of lime putty mortar - a material the company has been working with for more than 12 years. A final limewash leaves a vibrant, durable finish to these stunning buildings.