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Imagine a 1,700 square foot home that can cost less than half to build, will last centuries and
saves you money in heating costs. This house really does exist. This is a "cordwood" house
Cordwood masonry (also known as stackwall construction) is a technique that has been in use for several centuries. There are reputedly older structures still standing dating back more than 1,000 years. The walls of a typical cordwood home consist of short round logs or, as I prefer, split logs that are laid width-wise in a special double-sided mortar matrix with an insulation cavity. The length of the short logs, called log-ends, is typically 16" to 24". This length determines the thickness of the wall and also the insulation value. The colder the climate, the longer the log-ends should be.
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When using the whole round log, this will result in a pie-shaped split called a check that will have to be filled. Another problem encountered with this method, is that if the wood isn't completely dried or aged when mortared in, the logs will tend to shrink more and loosen in the concrete. I split my wood before laying it in the mortar and avoided these problems. This also allows for some creativity as seen in this next picture, where I added some glass bottles for artistic effect.
When built properly Cordwood homes are high quality and can also cost very little to build and maintain. If you are frugal, material costs for one of these homes could be as little as $10 per square foot. The construction technique can be easily mastered by the owner/builder.
A cordwood structure can provide a natural, fire-retardant, and even mortgage-free shelter; it is easy to build and could last at for at least one hundred years. There are many cordwood homes throughout North America.
More Cordwood NEW pictures added!
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