THE RETURN OF THE CORDWOOD HOUSE

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The door and window construction, as described, cost a total of $445.04: $375.15 labor, $69.89 materials. Compared to $700.00 for materials in the factory-built case, this is a considerable saving. The labor to material cost ratio is 5.4:1.

ROOF AND CEILING

The roof and ceiling were constructed in a conventional manner with a few minor differences.

The trusses were constructed from the 2 X 4's used in the temporary enclosure. They were all built on the ground according to specifications, lifted and nailed into place on 24-inch centers. It is important to note that when the top plates were anchored, they were as level as possible so that the trusses could be constructed identically and not individually to com. pensate for any differences in elevation. Once the trusses were nailed in place, they were braced with random diagonal 1 X 8's, and the ceiling was started.

For the ceiling construction, the horizontal members of the trusses were used for the nailing member on which 1 X 8 ribbing could be placed at 24-inch centers perpendicular to the trusses. The 1 X 8's were also placed along the horizontal members to complete the ceiling ribbing. This ribbing formed a network on which 4 X 8 sheets of 3/8" plywood were nailed to sheath the ceiling. Each sheet was secured by eighty 1-1/2" galvanized nails. This large number of nails in the plywood ensured firm support for the 18" of shavings to be placed in the attic. Then 1 X 8's were placed on the upper edge of the trusses' horizontal members, in positions where the lower 1 X 8 ribbing had not been located. This further supported and distributed the weight of the shavings.

The roof was sheathed with 1 X 8 and 1 X 6 lumber with the gable ends extended 2 feet to form the overhang. As the roof sheathing neared completion, the shaving material was shovelled into the attic and evenly distributed at a depth of 18-20". The roof was then tar-papered with overlapping 24" strips bottom to top, and subsequently covered in cedar shakes using an overlap of 9".

The blocking at the top plate, between the trusses, was completed using 1 X 8 lumber. Screening was used at intervals of 9 feet to replace the blocking and complemented the gable end vents. During the winter when the attic air movement is not critical, the screens could be closed by redistributing the shavings over them.

The building was completed 19 December 1975 and, to date, with the 200,000 Btu/hr. propane heater, has maintained a relatively constant inside temperature.

Data are being collected to allow an estimation of the overall thermal insulating value of the structure. Preliminary calculations indicate that the wall's overall resistance is at least R18.

CONCLUSIONS

From the evidence available to date Some tentative conclusions about heavy stackwall structures can be made

[1] With care taken over details such as corners, overhangs, and treatment of openings. the appearance of a stackwall building is very pleasing

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