A Mortgage-Free, Owner-Built Cordwood Castle

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The snows of Wisconsin's worst season saw us finishing the upstairs floor (1/2" plywood over particle board) and the stairway, and furring out selected walls on the main level in preparation for nailing up local Norway pine panel boards. By spring we were ready to sell our house in town, use the equity to finish our new home, and make our move to the country.

AN UNEXPECTED BLOW

Unfortunately, our readiness coincided with a sudden onslaught of rampant inflation and staggering 20% interest rates that created a virtual standstill in the real estate market. Caught between a rock and a hard place, we chose to borrow $8,000 from relatives—to be paid back upon the sale of our city house—rather than attempt to weather the economic storm in our old place while the new house sat in limbo.

With the newly acquired capital, the interior work accelerated to a fever pitch. We refurbished an existing well, contracted out plumbing and electrical work, installed the Norway pine ceilings and panels, built and nailed in place the cabinets, pantry, and bookcases, and—as a finishing touch—completed an interior brick chimney and purchased a sizable wood stove to be the main source of heat.

During these last months of construction, we were continually haunted by fear: What if we couldn't sell our city house? Could we leave the cordwood structure unheated if we were forced to live in town? For that matter, could we even maintain our old mortgage payments while finishing up our new home and trying to make good on our family debt? The physical, mental, and spiritual hassles of designing and building our first real home were a welcome challenge compared to the stress of being helpless in the face of economic uncertainty.

After six months of gnawing worry, we finally found a buyer for our house in town. I don't have to tell you how relieved we felt when the closing was over and I could repay our debts plus squirrel a little away in the savings account. When all the receipts were totaled, the cost of our home came to approximately $14,955 ... though I'll admit we splurged and parted with an additional $1,020 right away to upgrade our water delivery system. On the 10th of October (a date we're not likely to forget!) we spent the first night in our mortgage-free cordwood castle ... and we've been enjoying its handmade beauty, fragrance, and charm ever since.

EDITOR'S NOTE. Soon after he had completed his cordwood home, the author began work on a manuscript detailing a number of aspects of stackwood building. His 114-page paperback book, Cordwood Construction: A Log End View, includes black-and-white photographs, diagrams, formulas, suggestions, experiences, and a thorough appendix. The book is avail able for $4.95 plus $1.00 postage from Richard Flatau, W4837 Schulz Spur Drive, Merrill, WI 54452.

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