How Do You Build A Cordwood House?
ERORS IN THIS POST…
[1]YOU CAN BUILD A 24" CORDWOOD ON A BEEFED UP NORMAL FOUNDATION [ARTICLE STATED OTHERWISE]
[2]WOOD NEEDS TO BE SEASONED FOR 2-3 YEARS TO REACH THE EQUILIBRIUM MOISTURE CONTENT OF AIR.THATS A SCIENTIFIC FACT![NOT 6-12 MONTHS AS STATED]
[3]BUILDING THE ROOF FIRST IS DANGEROUS,AS I`VE SEEN 100 UNIT APARTMENT BUILDINGS BLOW DOWN.I DON`T THINK DO-IT YOURSELF BUILDERS HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO TRY THIS.ITS ALSO HARD TO INSULATE AND MUD IN THE TOP LEVEL.
[4]YOU BUILD IN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS AS YOU GO.[ARTICLE AUTHOR SAID TO LEAVE OPENINGS…DAH! WHAT WOULD HOLD THE ENDS OF LOGS SUSPENDEED IN THE AIR?
[5]YOU CAN SEAL THE ENDS OF LOGS ,IF YOU USE A BREATHABLE SEALANT THAT REPELS SURFACE MOISTURE[RAIN AND SNOW] BUT LETS INTERNAL MOISTURE PERMIATE OUT OF THE WALL.[ARTICLE AUTHOR SAID YOU CAN`T.]ONE COAT OF SOME PROFESSIONAL BREATHABLE SEALANTS WILL REPEL EXTERIOR MOISTURE FOR 30 YEARS
[6]SAWDUST AND LIME SUCKS AS AN INSULATION SEEING AS IT BECOMES CEMENTINOUS.THUS WHEN THE LOGS SHRINK GAPS ARE LEFT WITHIN THE MORTAR MATRIX.ALLOWING AIR /MOISTURE TO PENETRATE THE WALLS.
CORDWOODGUY
PS: I HAVE A VISUAL DISABILITY,THUS THE UPPER CASE LETTERS
Cordwood construction (also known as stackwall) is the process of building using firewood-type logs, either split or whole. From a distance it looks similar to stone masonry, and is built in a similar fashion. It is very energy efficient, and when built from sustainably-harvested forests, is considered a green building technique. Cordwood structures exist in Canada that are over 100 years old, attesting to its durability. Design your cordwood house. Remember that cordwood walls are typically 12″ – 24″ thick, and therefore have to have foundations that are designed to support walls of that thickness (concrete slabs are often the easiest and most economical foundation design to use with a cordwood house). You may want to hire an architect or engineer. You might need their approval on your building plans in order to get a permit. Also consider whether you’ll be able to have load bearing cordwood walls in your area, or if you’ll need to have a separate roof support structure with cordwood
