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Cordwood Wall

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Cordwood masonry is an old building technique whereby walls are constructed of short logs (called "log-ends") laid up widthwise in the wall within a special mortar matrix. The wall derives excellent insulation and thermal mass characteristics from insulation sandwiched between the inner and outer mortar joints. Cordwood houses are low in cost, use indigenous materials, and are easy and fun to build. Classic cordwood masonry walls have three material components: log-ends, the mortar matrix and the insulated cavity within the mortar.

Once debarked, the logs should sit to dry for at least three summers to limit splitting and checking. The logs are cut to the desired length after they've been debarked and dried. Typically, a post and beam frame supplies this shelter for subsequent cordwood mortaring. If properly built, a cordwood structure provides natural, fire-retardant, mortgage-free shelter, is easy to build and will last at least one hundred years. Cordwood walls should have deep overhanging eaves of at least 12- 16 inches to keep log ends dry and prevent fungal growth. Many new and older cordwood homes can be seen around the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Sweden.

 

Cordwood Wall

Cordwood masonry is an old building technique whereby walls are constructed of short logs (called "log-ends") laid up width-wise in the wall within a special mortar matrix. ©2011 http://www.cordwoodmasonry.com/