The best material for building your house is the good old fashioned earth. Not only is mud environmentally friendly, but it keeps cool in the summer and retains heat in the winter. It is the perfect material for building a green home!
Mud was first used in North Africa in the eleventh century, and became widespread in Europe after that. Made of mud, dung and straw, cob was used in the UK for many years before the manufacturing of bricks became cheaper. The cob houses that remain in Britain have withstood hundreds of years of storms and rain and is still some of the most durable material available. It is one of the most sustainable materials around, and is slowly making a comeback. Experts are currently testing a synthetic substitute for mud known as Tradical Hemcrete which will be half the price of traditional cob, but still retain its thermostatic qualities. Back to the good old fashioned way is proving to be just the thing that we need to become more environmentally friendly.
Tags: Africa, building, cob, earth, Environment, Europe, future, green, home, house, material, mud, sustainable, UK
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