---
product_id: 3585777
title: "Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Sustainable Building)"
price: "247.02 DT"
currency: TND
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/3585777-building-with-cob-a-step-by-step-guide-sustainable-building
store_origin: TN
region: Tunisia
---

# Focus on local & sustainable materials Step-by-step DIY cob home building 13 in-depth chapters Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Sustainable Building)

**Price:** 247.02 DT
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🌿 Build your future, one sustainable brick at a time!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Sustainable Building)
- **How much does it cost?** 247.02 DT with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/3585777-building-with-cob-a-step-by-step-guide-sustainable-building)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Community & Legacy Focused:** Build not just a home, but a sustainable lifestyle and a connection to centuries-old earth-building traditions.
- • **Eco-Friendly & Cost-Effective:** Leverage local, natural materials to build affordable, environmentally sound homes that resonate with green values.
- • **Hands-On Practical Instructions:** Clear, easy-to-follow methods including mixing cob by foot and creating natural finishes for authentic craftsmanship.
- • **Inspiring Visuals & Expert Tips:** Packed with full-color photos and honest advice to avoid common pitfalls and ensure lasting results.
- • **Comprehensive Guide to Cob Building:** Master sustainable construction with 13 detailed chapters covering every step from soil testing to roofing.

## Overview

Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide by Adam Weismann & Katy Bryce is a highly rated, practical manual offering 13 comprehensive chapters on sustainable cob construction. It covers everything from soil testing and foundations to roofing and natural finishes, enriched with full-color photos and expert advice. Ideal for eco-conscious DIYers aiming to create affordable, durable, and environmentally friendly homes using local materials.

## Description

Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Sustainable Building) [Adam Weismann, Katy Bryce] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Sustainable Building)

Review: Inspirational and informative - With the increased interest in creating more environmentally sound dwellings as well as a need for less expensive housing, building with cob is an intriguing method that satisfies both desires. Home owners can build their own homes with materials that are local and sustainable. Building with cob may be fairly labor intensive, but the rewards can be countless. "Building with cob, a step-by-step guide" by Adam Weismann & Katy Bryce gives you an in-depth look at many of the items you need to consider when planning to build a cob home as well as the instructions on how to do it yourself. The book includes 13 chapters packed with information. Chapter 1 - Earth Building around the world Natural building with the materials that are local and easily available has always been a popular choice. There are many earth buildings around the world. In this chapter the authors discuss the vast range of earth buildings and provide an outline of their history. Chapter 2 - Site & Design This chapter gives you some great tips about what to look for in a property as well as how to situate your home. It discusses things like the best way to capitalize on passive solar and other environmental considerations. Chapter 3 - Identifying and testing soil Knowing exactly what kind of soil you are working with is essential so that you can include the right materials in your cob mix. Chapter 4 - How to make a cob mix The fun part! Instructions on mixing cob with your feet are included as well as other methods which the authors have worked. Detailed information is included so you'll know if your have it right. Chapter 5 - Foundations Any building is only as good as the foundation it is placed on. Included in this chapter is how to create the best possible foundation so your building can last for generations. Chapter 6 - Building with cob How exactly does all this mud turn into a structure? This chapter describes multiple ways to build as well as discussing drying times and other important details. Chapter 7 - Roofs For cob to stand the test of time, it needs a good roof. Different types of roofing choices are discussed including the option of creating a turf roof. Specific instructions for creating a living roof are included. Chapter 8 - Insulation This chapter discusses your different options and ways to make your home comfortable all year long. They recommend natural materials that are sustainable and renewable. Chapter 9 - Lime & other natural finishes Specific recipes are given to create natural finishes for your home. The tools and methods are described in wonderful detail. Chapter 10 - Earthen floors Yes, your floor can be dirt also. The method to create an earthen floor is mapped out in this chapter. Instructions on how to care for your flooring are included. Chapter 11 - Cob fireplaces & earthen ovens Not everyone will want to put the time and work into creating an entire home, but cob can also be utilized to create wonderful fireplaces and ovens. Varying styles of both are discussed as well as instructions on how to create them. Chapter 12 - Restoration In the UK there are many cob building that have stood the test of time and survived for hundreds of years. Some of these homes are in need of repair and the authors discuss the best ways to make those repairs. They also give you some ideas about what types of problems you are most likely to come across when working with an older cob home. Chapter 13 - Planning permission & building regulations Because this book was written in the UK, all of the information in this chapter is only valid for that area of the world. Different countries and even different states will have varying regulations. If you intend to build a cob home, it is always advisable to check with your local government officials to find out what you need to do to make sure your home is legal and complies with all building codes. Overall, this book is a wonderful primer filled with great information. It also includes many full color photographs that provide both insight and inspiration. Cob building is a growing building medium that creates community as well as structures.
Review: So detailed! Wonderful clear examples. - I own tons of cob building books and this one is by far the best one I have found. The examples are clear and easy to understand. The information is honest in what is and is not a good idea when working with cob. The building code section only applies to Europe though, so if you live in the USA you will need a different source for your local cob building coding. I do very much wish there had been more examples of the wonderful art you can do using cob and adobe coatings like carving Celtic knot work coming off the walls around your windows or trees flowing right out of the wall into the room. I was also a bit disappointed there were not many examples of built in niches like book cases, kitchen shelves, reading nooks, etc. because this is a very personal area where cob really shines! I know that would have made the book a lot more expensive though :) so maybe they will print an artistic ideas book to go in this series with their other books. Was somewhat disappointed in his other book " Using Natural Finishes" which I purchased at the same time. There is a big chunk of that book that is exactly word for word what was already published in "Building with Cob" and no artistic uses of the natural finishes. There are less examples in that book of application too. This book however has great diagrams and picture examples

## Features

- Used Book in Good Condition

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #230,071 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #25 in Architectural Materials #49 in Sustainability & Green Design #337 in Home Design & Construction (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 290 Reviews |

## Images

![Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Sustainable Building) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81g0xwu5u0L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Inspirational and informative
*by D***S on August 23, 2010*

With the increased interest in creating more environmentally sound dwellings as well as a need for less expensive housing, building with cob is an intriguing method that satisfies both desires. Home owners can build their own homes with materials that are local and sustainable. Building with cob may be fairly labor intensive, but the rewards can be countless. "Building with cob, a step-by-step guide" by Adam Weismann & Katy Bryce gives you an in-depth look at many of the items you need to consider when planning to build a cob home as well as the instructions on how to do it yourself. The book includes 13 chapters packed with information. Chapter 1 - Earth Building around the world Natural building with the materials that are local and easily available has always been a popular choice. There are many earth buildings around the world. In this chapter the authors discuss the vast range of earth buildings and provide an outline of their history. Chapter 2 - Site & Design This chapter gives you some great tips about what to look for in a property as well as how to situate your home. It discusses things like the best way to capitalize on passive solar and other environmental considerations. Chapter 3 - Identifying and testing soil Knowing exactly what kind of soil you are working with is essential so that you can include the right materials in your cob mix. Chapter 4 - How to make a cob mix The fun part! Instructions on mixing cob with your feet are included as well as other methods which the authors have worked. Detailed information is included so you'll know if your have it right. Chapter 5 - Foundations Any building is only as good as the foundation it is placed on. Included in this chapter is how to create the best possible foundation so your building can last for generations. Chapter 6 - Building with cob How exactly does all this mud turn into a structure? This chapter describes multiple ways to build as well as discussing drying times and other important details. Chapter 7 - Roofs For cob to stand the test of time, it needs a good roof. Different types of roofing choices are discussed including the option of creating a turf roof. Specific instructions for creating a living roof are included. Chapter 8 - Insulation This chapter discusses your different options and ways to make your home comfortable all year long. They recommend natural materials that are sustainable and renewable. Chapter 9 - Lime & other natural finishes Specific recipes are given to create natural finishes for your home. The tools and methods are described in wonderful detail. Chapter 10 - Earthen floors Yes, your floor can be dirt also. The method to create an earthen floor is mapped out in this chapter. Instructions on how to care for your flooring are included. Chapter 11 - Cob fireplaces & earthen ovens Not everyone will want to put the time and work into creating an entire home, but cob can also be utilized to create wonderful fireplaces and ovens. Varying styles of both are discussed as well as instructions on how to create them. Chapter 12 - Restoration In the UK there are many cob building that have stood the test of time and survived for hundreds of years. Some of these homes are in need of repair and the authors discuss the best ways to make those repairs. They also give you some ideas about what types of problems you are most likely to come across when working with an older cob home. Chapter 13 - Planning permission & building regulations Because this book was written in the UK, all of the information in this chapter is only valid for that area of the world. Different countries and even different states will have varying regulations. If you intend to build a cob home, it is always advisable to check with your local government officials to find out what you need to do to make sure your home is legal and complies with all building codes. Overall, this book is a wonderful primer filled with great information. It also includes many full color photographs that provide both insight and inspiration. Cob building is a growing building medium that creates community as well as structures.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ So detailed! Wonderful clear examples.
*by E***Y on March 13, 2014*

I own tons of cob building books and this one is by far the best one I have found. The examples are clear and easy to understand. The information is honest in what is and is not a good idea when working with cob. The building code section only applies to Europe though, so if you live in the USA you will need a different source for your local cob building coding. I do very much wish there had been more examples of the wonderful art you can do using cob and adobe coatings like carving Celtic knot work coming off the walls around your windows or trees flowing right out of the wall into the room. I was also a bit disappointed there were not many examples of built in niches like book cases, kitchen shelves, reading nooks, etc. because this is a very personal area where cob really shines! I know that would have made the book a lot more expensive though :) so maybe they will print an artistic ideas book to go in this series with their other books. Was somewhat disappointed in his other book " Using Natural Finishes" which I purchased at the same time. There is a big chunk of that book that is exactly word for word what was already published in "Building with Cob" and no artistic uses of the natural finishes. There are less examples in that book of application too. This book however has great diagrams and picture examples

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great read for detailed Cob building
*by H***1 on March 13, 2014*

This is a very informative book for those looking into alternative building methods. The amount of detail on how to build a cob structure is more than you will need to make it work for you. I've not yet began working on my alternative built home, but the information from this book will come in handy on a few aspects of the home that I may look into building with cob. As a side note, building with cob is an extremely labor intensive task and won't happen as quickly as some other alternative building methods. I can't stress this enough and after reading the book you'll be clear that that authors inform you of the same. That said, if you're looking for something as suitable and much quicker to start on the path with, you may want to look into straw bale homes. This book actually turned me off to the idea of a complete cob structure due to the time that would need to go into it. I don't have an army of folks waiting to help me build and when I am ready to build, I want to get it up and ready to move into ASAP. But I digress. If you're wanting cob info, this is the book for you. But if you're new to the idea of alternative building materials there are other books out there for you pertaining other methods that may be more suitable for you, as I found out after reading this book.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Sustainable Building)
- Earthen Floors: A Modern Approach to an Ancient Practice
- The Hand-Sculpted House: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to Building a Cob Cottage: The Real Goods Solar Living Book

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*Last updated: 2026-05-06*