The key advantages to cordwood masonry construction are: economics, energy efficiency, ease of construction, esthetics and ecological harmony.
It's a building technique in which blocks, butts, or ends of logs are laid widthwise in a wall within a special mortar matrix. The concept seems to defy long-established tenets of construction but the method is actually a time-honored one, dating back not only to the early days of American pioneer growth, but to 1,000-year-old structures still standing in Siberia and northern Greece.
You'll learn about the basics of cordwood masonry technique in detail, including discussions of: the major styles of construction, types of wood to use and how long to season them before building, mortar mixes, special effects, and avoiding potential errors.
Then you'll be taken step-by-step through the building stages of a cordwood masonry home: site work, waterproofing and drainage, electrical and plumbing systems, post-and-beam and plank-and-beam framing, built-up corners, curved walls, backfilling, the earth roof, interior walls and finishing, and more.
No aspect of this building style is left uncovered and, as a bonus, great "extras" are covered such as: a masonry stove, a solar greenhouse, a cordwood hot tub, and outbuildings.
The owner-built house is the one you know is built right--because you did it with care yourself. The Complete Book of Cordwood Masonry Housebuilding will show you nail by nail, and log by log, how to build your very own stunning log-end home. With nearly 300 photos and how-to illustrations, and insightful and expert guidance, you'll build a home to be proud of, from the dream to the doing.
Use the BACK button on your browser to return.