Jim Pritchard - Building Renewable

Two photographs of cob houses showing different designs. The left-hand photo shows the outside of a house with curved walls, a thatched roof, and stone foundations. The right-hand image shows an open-plan living area with sweeping curves and visible roof timbers. Across the bottom are the words "Cob House Design - Tips for Maximizing Comfort and Efficiency."

Cob House Design: Tips for Maximizing Comfort and Efficiency

ByJim Pritchard June 22, 2023October 13, 2024

Cob houses can be designed to be incredibly energy efficient and comfortable. This article lists some useful cob house design tips that will help you make the most of your budget.

Four photographs of cob houses built in different styles and climates. One of the houses has a thatched roof, one has a green roof, and another is seen from inside that has a vaulted timber ceiling. Across the bottom of the image are the words "How to Build a Cob House: Simple 8-Step Guide to Modern Cob."

Cob Sustainable Architecture

How to Build a Cob House: Simple 8 Step Guide to Modern Cob

ByJim Pritchard June 21, 2023October 13, 2024

Cob is a sustainable building technique that has been around since ancient times. This article will explain how to build a cob house in the modern era in eight simple steps.

A cob house with a curved wall with visible straw on its surface. It is still under construction and has a doorway without a door and no roof. Across the bottom are the words, "What Is a Cob House? Sustainable Building Method Explained." In the upper right corner is a question mark.

Cob Design Sustainable Architecture

What Is a Cob House? Sustainable Building Method Explained

ByJim Pritchard June 20, 2023October 13, 2024

Have you heard about cob buildings? Cob is a highly sustainable building technique and this article answers the question, “What is a cob house?” You’ll learn what a cob house looks like and how it’s made.

A photo collage shows different types of cork building materials, from underlayment and cork flooring to cork blocks. The top right photo is of newly harvested cork oak tree barks stacked outside to dry. In the bottom left is a "Q&A" icon with speech bubbles with the letters "Q" and "A" inside. Across the top are the words "Your Ultimate Cork Building Material FAQ: Questions Answered."

Cork Flooring Healthy Buildings Insulation Sustainable Architecture

Your Ultimate Cork Building Material FAQ: Questions Answered

ByJim Pritchard June 19, 2023October 13, 2024

Do you have questions about whether cork building materials are suitable for your next project? This article lists the most common cork building material FAQ to help you decide.

Photographs of the bark on a cork oak tree, a roll of cork underlayment, and a cork tile. Across the bottom of the image are the words, "Cork Building Material Costs: Is It Worth It for Your Build?"

Cork Flooring Healthy Buildings Insulation Sustainable Architecture

Cork Building Material Costs: Is It Worth It for Your Build?

ByJim Pritchard June 18, 2023April 18, 2024

Cork is a fantastic natural material that allows you to build beautiful buildings with low environmental impacts. This article explains cork building material costs and whether they are worth it for your next building project.

A photograph of a cork floor halfway through installation with some cork tiles already laid and adhesive spread out on the subfloor ready for further tiles to be stuck to. In the bottom right of the image is a cartoon workman laying cork tiles, and across the top of the image are the words "How to Install Cork Flooring Material (8 Simple Steps)."

Cork Flooring Healthy Buildings Sustainable Architecture

How to Install Cork Flooring Material (8 Simple Steps)

ByJim Pritchard June 17, 2023August 6, 2024

Wondering how to install cork flooring material? Look no further, because this article explains the steps you need to take and the tools you need to install a perfect cork floor.

A collage of screenshots taken from four cork building material companies' websites. Across the bottom are the words, "8 Great Cork Building Material Companies to Buy From."

Cork Flooring Healthy Buildings Insulation Sustainable Architecture

8 Great Cork Building Material Companies to Buy From

ByJim Pritchard June 16, 2023October 27, 2024

Cork is an excellent choice for building sustainable homes. This article provides information on eight great cork building material companies, including their background and what makes them so good.

Cork Flooring Healthy Buildings Sustainable Architecture

The Best 8 Cork Flooring Brands to Buy From Today

ByJim Pritchard June 15, 2023April 12, 2024

Do you want to buy a cork floor but need help knowing where to go? This article gives details of the offerings from 8 top cork flooring brands to help you decide where to buy your new floor.

A photograph of a set of building plans with a hammer resting on them. In the lower half of the image is a row of cork blocks made into a wall with two more loose blocks stacked on top. Across the cork block wall are the words "Cork Blocks and Bricks: Why Build With It (Pros and Cons)."

Cork Flooring Healthy Buildings Sustainable Architecture

Cork Blocks and Bricks: Why Build With It (Pros and Cons)

ByJim Pritchard June 14, 2023October 13, 2024

Cork blocks and bricks are an excellent choice for a sustainable building project. This article explains what they are, how they are made, and their pros and cons, so you can decide whether they are suitable for your next project.

Waterproof cork flooring in a large room with glass doors leading out onto a decked area. A puddle of water on the floor is caused by water dripping down from the ceiling. Across the top of the image are the words, "Waterproof Cork Flooring: How Is It Actually Watertight?"

Cork Flooring Healthy Buildings Sustainable Architecture

Waterproof Cork Flooring: How Is It Actually Watertight?

ByJim Pritchard June 13, 2023August 21, 2024

Cork is naturally water resistant but you might be wondering whether cork floors are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens where frequent water exposure is inevitable. This article looks at the risks water poses to cork floors and examines whether waterproof cork flooring is completely watertight.