Cordwood Construction Questions? Ask the Experts!

By Rob Roy
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Mortared, square log-ends called quoins provide stability and structure, while preserving the character of this hand-hewn home.
Mortared, square log-ends called quoins provide stability and structure, while preserving the character of this hand-hewn home.
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Author Roy Rob and his wife, Jaki, built their home with cordwood construction using the age-old technique of cordwood masonry to construct the main living quarters and outbuildings on their homestead in West Chazy, New York.
Author Roy Rob and his wife, Jaki, built their home with cordwood construction using the age-old technique of cordwood masonry to construct the main living quarters and outbuildings on their homestead in West Chazy, New York.
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Jaki and Rob Roy, pictured in their cordwood home.
Jaki and Rob Roy, pictured in their cordwood home.
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A cordwood wall under construction at the Sage Mountain Center, a holistic living center near Whitehall, Montana.
A cordwood wall under construction at the Sage Mountain Center, a holistic living center near Whitehall, Montana.

Expert answers to cordwood construction questions about building a home using this energy efficient wood.

Cordwood Construction Questions? Ask the Experts!

Practiced throughout the ages, cordwood masonry construction is experiencing a renaissance as hands-on home builders learn of its simplicity, energy efficiency and unique beauty. But with any unconventional building technique, cordwood construction comes with its own set of challenges. Here, we’ve addressed the most frequently asked questions.

Won’t the log-ends rot? If basic care is taken, log-ends will not rot. Fungi, which need constant moisture to thrive, cause wood to rot. Cordwood breathes wonderfully along its end-grain, foiling fungi’s propagation. To ensure long-lived log-ends: 1) Debark the wood; 2) Don’t place wood against wood (this can trap moisture); 3) Don’t use wood that already shows signs of deterioration; 4) Design your roof with at least a 12- to 16-inch overhang; and 5) Set your bottom course of cordwood at least 6 inches off the ground, on a good masonry foundation of stone, block or concrete.

What kind of wood should I use? Select light and airy woods like white cedar, white pine, cottonwood, poplar, spruce or larch (tamarack). These shrink (and expand) less than dense woods such as maple, oak, elm, beech, and some of the heavy Southern pines. Denser woods can be used only if special building-design strategies are used.

  • Published on Feb 24, 2009
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