Cordwood

Building with cordwood is a good option if you have a great deal of timber that is not large enough, or straight enough for typical log home construction. On our new farm site we have a good bit of cottonwood that is perfect for this purpose. This video details my method if building non-load bearing walls as in-fill in a timber frame.
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[@wendyoneill948]

My parents built a log-end home in 1986, long cured logs stacked in cement, walls are around 20+ inches thick. Beautiful. After several years, the logs started allowing wind-driven rain to come through into the house, there’s no sealing or caulking to remedy the problem of ever changing logs so they had the house clad with steel siding. Still get to enjoy a house that is like a fortress and see the handiwork on the interior.

[@gotredeemed]

I'm impressed by your neat work. Very well thought out and executed. Thanks.

[@dyannejohnson6184]

I wondered when someone was going to try this…saw several built with cord wood in the northern Canadian bush

[@shawnlachance4427]

Wow looks fantastic. Great work. I've been a mason for 30 years and have plenty of experience with slaked lime. You explained the slaking process magnificently!! Cheers!!

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thanks!

[@ronhammar1154]

In Canada it is called a stack log home ! One man could build the entire house himself ! All it needs is something between the logs to stop insects and on the outside maybe spray foam and then mortar ! Very enegy efficient ! I always wanted to build one and helped my brother do his which was stack logs done horizontal ! Logs were cut about 6 inchs wide with the rounded side of the log facing the outside and when done it was chinced only on the outside !

[@TenOrbital]

Filling the cavity with tamped sawdust is how traditional Scandinavian wooden homes are built.

[@anothermidlifecrisis]

That could be okay as long as the roof is maintained. If the cavity ever gets a substantial amount of water, you run a real risk of autoignition inside a wall. This happened to a barn next door to us. The owners used hay and sawdust as insulation, failed to maintain the roof, and subsequently caused the total loss of the structure.

[@iunnox666]

Why would water cause autoignition?

[@wildmanofborneo]

​@@iunnox666rotting causes enough heat to burn. Look up hay fires caused spontaneously (no external ignition like a cigarette or lightning..... just the heat of microbial activity)

[@JzNMuzak]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video and showing us your technique. Looks great

[@davidowen7600]

Thank you for sharing this process. It is something that I have seen and admired before, but had no idea how it was done. Thank you :)

[@radicalgastronomy]

My pleasure!

[@mpccenturion]

Im in grow zone 5/6. Gives a reference of the cold i deal with. I would rather build with lime than portland. Something i have done for 40 yrs - is to cut and leave the leaves on the tree - branches and all - I cut in the spring - it allows the summer to dry out the tree. Makes seasoning the wood or waiting it out a much shorter time frame. Thank you!

[@ChrispaulPeters-pu9dr]

This really works well for sunk rooms cool in summer warm in winter.

[@briannaelder6311]

Am I the only one that thinks is voice sounds like Nicolas Cage? Good video, extremely informative.

[@adamnagy1832]

Nicolas Cage and Tom Hanks.

[@dkg407]

He reminds me of Peter Weller.

[@kerrybutler6404]

Not hearing it

[@bradsmith4279]

Just a minute in and I already like the timber frame and cord wood in-fill idea rather than the cord wood being the supporting structure since there are so many variables in the cord wood building. Best to use more conventional methods like you did I'd think.

[@radicalgastronomy]

I sure felt more comfortable doing it this way.

[@pedrosanquin]

Most helpful video I've seen, building with cordwood this summer. Thank you!

[@cvz8849]

Love the presentation and detail provided. Great video!

[@JayPeek]

thank you for all of your time and expertise

[@Maggiewuvsrufus]

Thanks for explaining so well !

[@trevord4243]

Great share. Lots of good info on this style of build. I live off grid and always looking for ideas when I'm building here and there. Thanks for sharing.

[@radicalgastronomy]

My pleasure!

[@David-kd5mf]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@derekturner3272]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@jeffstrongman7889]

Thanks for sharing your experience. It looks like you did a very nice job.

[@user-pl4qu8yy6w]

Very interesting process. You explained it very well, thank you.

[@reneebrown2968]

Honestly I would love to be able to build a fully cord wood home. You say it takes alot of time, but the fact that it is one process and done means alot and saves time and money. If not having enough light with out add full glass walls try to make some glass bricks. It's time consuming but makes for a beautifully artistic wall and huge accent piece. You can add you glass bricks to make flowers, butterflies or any number of things, so that it's not just adding light but a beautiful stained glass art project.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Cord wood is certainly beautiful. I added some glass bricks in the transom over my door. Lovely accent!

[@paulawade1446]

excellent video and beautuful structure! I appreciate how straight forwarrd you are in explaining your methods. Thank you.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Hey thanks! I’m trying to develop an informative yet clean style. Spend this winter diving deeper into video craft. 🤪

[@ramonmeza269]

​@@radicalgastronomy popo pop y mililitros la ó

[@westcoaststruttin3243]

This is amazing and beautiful craftsmanship. A job well done!!

[@mikedunn8427]

Thanks for putting the effort out for this Vid. Your experience and time and skills are appreciated, You got my Sub!

[@fugueine]

Love the aesthetic, thank you for demystifying how this type of building is constructed.

[@radicalgastronomy]

My pleasure

[@user-hd1qx2bd1r]

Awesome!! This is the kind of information I'm needing to build Cordwood with!!! Good idea putting the music on there too!!! Well Done !!!

[@ShrimanYogaAndVedicAstrology]

You did a great job. I learned a lot of things from you. Thank you Sir

[@SaintTrinianz]

Thank you for sharing this amazing life accomplishment with us...

[@jdrseven]

Ah! I was wondering about the thermal conductivity of the mortar. You've got it figured out.

[@bradsmith4279]

Looks great! I like the detail provided and the honesty afterward. Nice build

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thanks!

[@Healer2020]

Looking for someone to build a cordwood cottage in Southern Missouri. Anyone interested, I already have interior and major and toilet tub sink and kitchen sink and electrical fixtures. It is to be used for a Ministry most that has been accumulated has been gifted over the years. The main purpose is for a Historic Library Learning Mission- Innning. 🙏

[@Therubbersluggchannel]

As an HVAC guy this is brilliant, great job

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thank you

[@kakihunter]

I enjoyed your video and attention to detail and your honest assessment of the final results. I work with clay based earth building materials and thought I would try using a rich chopped straw and clay mixture throughout the whole length of the joints in between the logs. If bugs are a concern I would add a percentage of borax to the mix. Wild clays in our area come in a wide variety of colors so one could change up the color mortar for additional effects in the wall. All in all I learned a lot and appreciate your taking the time to share your experience!

[@aglaesaitschenko2349]

Respect. Very beautiful. Thank you for making this video. I learned a lot.

[@joemurray8902]

Nice job!

[@keith62970]

Terrific video brother. You put as much work in the video as you did in the construction! I have wondered how this was done but now I think even I could do it! Thanks a lot!

[@radicalgastronomy]

Right on

[@briannovak859]

We are going to build our first cordwood buildings this year, we are starting with an outhouse, then a chicken coop, a garden shed, we are hoping to be well or relatively well versed in this building style before we build our cordwood cabin, we really enjoyed your video, thank you.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Best of luck in your projects! Future videos will explore other techniques I currently prefer.

[@janetcook2379]

Hey Brian, same here except not this year (I have the wood already but it needs another year of seasoning. Please, post your projects!! :)

[@rogerharris5515]

I've been dreaming of building a cabin since 1979 out if cordwood. Thank you for all the information in this video. It's excellent. May you enjoy your dream.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Glad to help!

[@frankhagar4651]

Thanks

[@RobertJLessard]

Thanks for this I really enjoyed it. I think I'd like to make a small shed with this technique to get some practice before trying a cabin. Very helpful info!

[@radicalgastronomy]

Great! Good luck with your build!

[@godswaytek1778]

Thanks for sharing these insights, very helpful and inspiring. I work in Ghana as a Youth Development Officer and I am currently recruiting volunteers with knowledge, skills, and passion for alternative-ecological building to build a Youth Community Center in a village with Cob or Cordwood - this center will run After-School Programs that will serve 3 surrounding villages If anyone on here has skills and the passion for alternative building, my doors are opened. Cant wait to build the first Cordwood house in Ghana .............. I could use all the help there is

[@radicalgastronomy]

That’s so awesome! I’ll keep an ear out for people looking for an adventure like that.

[@mondavou9408]

New Sub. Nice clear, concise, helpful video. I really appreciate the R Value information and the follow up at the end of the video. From what I can see, your cabin looks beautiful.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thank you, on all counts. I’ll do a full cottage tour in the spring.

[@user-di2wz3mh5w]

There are barns over 100 years old in Ontario Canada with cord wood foundations still standing in good condition.

[@radicalgastronomy]

I’d love to see that. So cool.

[@allancrow134]

Thanks Bro, that was a wealth of knowledge. I'm in the Pacific Northwest with fairly mild winters and lots of Red Cedar. I'm definitely going to to a post and beam and cordwood build. Just doing a little homework. :)

[@radicalgastronomy]

Right on.

[@retiredarmy03]

Great video. Really easy to understand information. Thank you.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

[@kimmyseegmiller985]

This is absolutely beautiful! I love it!

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thanks!

[@kimmyseegmiller985]

Yw@@radicalgastronomy do the cotton wood logs need to dry for any specific amount of time? We have a lot of those here in Missouri.

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@kimmyseegmiller985 these were from trees dead so long the bark fell off and they’d turned grey. I’d cut fresh I would let them dry a couple of years.

[@kimmyseegmiller985]

@radicalgastronomy okay, thank you!

[@AggelosKyriou]

That's very detailed, useful and realistic. I was wondering if cob (mixed with sawdust and wood chips) would be better as mortar since it will "move" with the weather just like the wood does. It would also save some money and wouldn't impact the strength too much since you've got a timber frame. Also squaring the bigger/straighter log pieces with a froe, side axe or chainsaw could result in using larger rectangular pieces of timber without cutting them to 9 inch lengths. This would save time and effort piling them up like pseudo-ashlar masonry. The larger heavier pieces at the bottom and the smaller round and irregular triangles which are easier to lift over them.

[@radicalgastronomy]

This may be worth a try. I have found some traditional examples where the logs are in a cob matrix, and are pitched,witching the wall, such that the outside is lower than the inside. This allows for drainage away from the wall, and would keep water from pooling in the cob, and causing failure.

[@MyClarissa21]

Excellent video thank you

[@radicalgastronomy]

Glad you liked it!

[@wayneguillemette9121]

⁹old power poles work good

[@dalesmyth7398]

Me and 2 other fellas built a log cabin out of old power poles. We did this in winter, all was good till late spring hit, and man, the inside stunk so bad from creosote, he could not live in it. The heat from then on into summer, made it worse. He finally after 2 years, decided to cut bigger doors in the ends, and use it as a barn, and leave any doors off so air would circulate in there. It's still standing, this was in 82' when we did this, and still a barn.

[@thesustainablemama]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for making this video! We will be building our cordwood house next year and I haven’t seen a video yet that explains it as detailed as you do. Would you be able to explain how you did the upper wall above the cordwood?

[@radicalgastronomy]

I have just added a video explaining the “dustcrete” I used in those sections. Check it out, and good luck on your build!

[@stevemartin9200]

Great instructional video.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thank you!

[@daniellino5889]

Muito obrigado pelas informações. Sua dedicação a construcão e ao vídeo foram incríveis.

[@eunicefarmilant8449]

0

[@Lee-xf7bk]

It is beautiful.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thanks!

[@ricardotrivino4459]

Gracias a sido un video muy informativo e inspirador, estoy resuelto a construir mi casa de esta manera y ud a sido de gran ayuda, espero mas de sus vídeos.

[@radicalgastronomy]

¡Gracias, amigo!

[@larrycater-tx613]

Very good video.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thanks!

[@ryanhansen4294]

Appreciate you breaking down useful info like this

[@keefardin612]

BEAUTIFULL, AND WARM TOO ,VERY GOOD VIDEO, DISCRIPTIVE AND WELL PRESENTED,%100

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thanks!

[@nextlevelgamez9243]

I feel like I just watched a tutorial from RoboCop. 😂

[@radicalgastronomy]

Stop resisting, citizen.

[@pay-it-forward4715]

Great video! One question though..you said you would not build this way every again because of time it takes...what building method would choose next time?

[@ShawnBean]

Take a look at his videos on forming a wall of "dustcrete" and plastering a dustcrete wall with lime.

[@MisspokenOne]

So my end game is to buy land in Maine and homestead, building up from the ground. Most of the land available is old timber land full of pines. But I'm wondering if it is possible to dye the mortar? I was thinking that black would pull in some more heat? I also read that this type of structure is good at moisture wicking so I was thinking about having this style be how I build the chicken coop. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[@kemalification]

Hi!!! Thanks so much for this informative video! What a beautiful cottage/home…I am looking at ways to do filler walls with cordwood…One thing I thought of was to drill large screws into the cords for spacers, stacking the cords on top of each other, building forms and filling from above. There would have to be precision cuts of the cord, fitting exactly the width of the form so the ends don’t get covered with mortar…was wondering you thoughts/opinion?

[@darlavaughn396]

I love the information in your video.. in fact all your videos!!! I have tons of cedar on my place and planning on trying to do something similar. I was wondering how your plumbing went and what you used? thank you so much

[@radicalgastronomy]

I used primarily pex tubing, as it is non-reactive with the lime. I’m running off a cistern, and have an RV pump pressurizing the system. Everything works great with the small exception of one hot water line I placed a bit too far to the outside corner in one wall. That line has frozen twice when temps drop to zero F. Fortunately, the pex is flexible enough to not burst when it freezes, and that line thaws and works just fine. I’m using an on demand propane water heater. At first I had one of those $125 camp units, but that burned out after a year. I replaced that with a $450 camplux unit that is working great. Thanks for your kind words!

[@GriffenNaif]

Simply, amazing detail again. Do you Wax, paint or shellac coat the end of logs to prevent splitting when they are drying before or after you make the wall.

[@radicalgastronomy]

The best move is likely linseed oil once complete. Mine are still natural, but I plan to oil this season. Ideally, the logs are seasoned two years before assembly, so the checking is already done and shrinkage is minimal.

[@neuland1979]

Danke schön für dieses informationsreiche Video.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Bitte

[@solosailorsv8065]

Another great video and Information - Thanks Question: Is there a reason (other than cost) why spraying a sealer on exposed wood, cord or framing, is not done? Seems that after all that work, a spray sealant would make sense to deter rot, rodents, and insects?

[@richardmoore5944]

Very nice...could you use straw and lime to fill the void in the wall...

[@MHPloni-kl5ec]

Excellent. Thank you. Question: what is the benefit of splitting the cordwood as opposed to setting natural round timber?

[@mebusy2280]

Like he mentioned in the video... If you have irregular pieces, such as split in halves or quarters, you can't keep your grout spacing tight. Meaning the distances to the studs from the last piece of wood won't have to be as big in the case of not having a piece of wood small enough to fit in the wall after the previous piece. Kind of like this... |~\~•~•~\\| or [~•~•~\~•~] instead of having [~~~•~•~•~~]... Did I explain that correctly? It just allows you to keep the limestone to a minimum. You really don't want huge areas of places that are just lime mortar. How that helps!!! Have fun

[@scottfriske9186]

I'm wondering if you could put your dustcrete mix between the cordwood to make a self supporting wall. Probably would need a higher portland mix to add structural strength, as your dustcrete seems very crumbly, when compared to other similar mixes i've seen online.

[@radicalgastronomy]

There is a method for cordwood that uses soaked sawdust in the lime mortar. I have tried this and found it too fragile, over time.

[@JorgeMendez-wh3oi]

AMIGO esta súper toda Esa maravilla. Como hago la mezcla con que? U si se puede apoyar en columnas de hormigón. O solo en madera gracias x confirmar

[@judii4370]

dark gray-black stone, yellow-orange wood, light gray mortar, blue roof, black sign, white window trim, blood red door, too many colors going on, but its a beautiful building, try a blue door the same as the roof color, it will eliminate the odd red and the heavier weight of the color brings down or helps anchor the image, a designer or colorist but thats costly, i really like the white detail above the door

[@kakihunter]

Also, as I’m pondering how we build straw-clay walls rammed between slip forms, there’s no reason not to use a temporary horizontal board attached to the side of the wall one desires to be perfectly plumb thereby eliminating the need for a string line.

[@thereasonableconsumer]

A couple questions, Do you treat the wood? Have any wood boring bugs been an issue? Where I live, the termites would do a number on something like that. Looks beautiful, though, and great job!

[@radicalgastronomy]

The wood remains un treated, but it’s a good idea to seal the log ends after everything is fully dry (after a year). I’ll get to it this fall, along with putty for the fine cracks. We haven’t had any bug issues in the 4 years since I built this. I can see issues with termites in other locals. I have see people pull this of with red cedar in such places.

[@jimciancio9005]

Great idea but what about the expansion and contraction of the wood and gaps or cracks forming? I would be concerned especially with using the bark covered logs as well. Though it gives a great color contrast with the bark. The separation of the bark would be a little concerning as well. Otherwise it looks Awesome and sounds like it is very well insulated with the air gap inside the wall with sawdust. Not only insulated but gives a great place to run your pipes and wiring so its hidden, just maybe susceptible to freezing the pipes in cold climates, especially if it's something that isn't always heated when below freezing temps.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Bark MUST be removed. Pipes too close to the outside can be an issue. This is not a problem with thicker walls. Mine are 9”, but typical thickness is 16-24”.

[@jessicajischke435]

What are the dimensions of your cottage? I am wanting to build a 14x16 small cabin and am interested in your method just trying to figure out how long that might take me and if it can be done in a summer. I have a lot of standing dead pine in my woods that I would be using.

[@LH-cl8pq]

L What state are you in ? Working on my own land by myself, starting with this wood and mortar consruction for barn, out buildings and eventually a home. Makes a difference where you are for construction materials and weather tolerance. Thank you, L. W.

[@matthewprather7386]

Seasonal humidity changes dimension of wood across the grain around 0.5%. On an eight foot high wall that’s roughly 1/2 inch change of the infill stack up. Seems like a lot for the mortar to accommodate. Did you seal the wood, especially the end grain, in any way? How many years has this structure been up? Any maintenance?

[@radicalgastronomy]

These concerns are of varying importance in different climates. Mine is high desert with low humidity. Much of the seasonal movement is unnoticeable. The continued crystallization of the lime mortar self heals the hairline cracks that form. The matrix of mortar tends to remain fixed, and the logs swell and shrink within it. There is no overall compression of the stack. This building was constructed in the spring of ‘20. Most of it remains as sound as it was at the time of completion. There are, however, areas that are showing some degradation. These are due to my less than expert timber framing skills and the frequent closing of the front door. Because my joinery is a bit less than perfect on a couple places, the vibration of the door rattles the mortar, causing some fracturing. I hope to lessen this effect with some shimming of the wind braces which are exposed on the exterior. Ideally, the frame would be more precise, using all of the techniques which make a strong, enduring frame (offset peg holes, dado mortise pockets, etc.). If building without a frame, as many do, I’d pour a reinforced bond beam on top of the wall, and anchor door frames from foundation to bond beam. The log ends and mortar are currently unsealed. I may seal them, now that the wood has had three+ years to fully cure. This is more of an esthetic choice than a performance one in my dry climate. There are some drafty spots where logs have shrunk, here and there. I will fill these with a loose lime/sand plater, this fall (video to come). Over all, I love the look of the cordwood, but would not use it extensively, going forward. I like it for an accent wall, or for semi climate controlled applications, such at a mud room. Bare in mind my wall depth is well below the typical 16-24” depth. This likely adds to the instability mentioned. I wouldn’t say don’t do it, but I would say I vastly prefer dustcrete.

[@MrLMJohnson]

Excellent video. How would you seal the logs if used as a cordwood fence? And does the bark need to be removed?

[@NanaWilson-px9ij]

In the video he said to peel the logs when you harvest the wood. So yes, peel, or remove the bark.

[@marcelkuch4534]

I'm not sur about put in sawdust in wet ciment...The sawdust will ''drank'' the humidity ? Is in it ?

[@Mantelar]

Architects say it doesn’t work, but people have been doing it forever. Reminds me of exercise scientists who say lifting weights is pointless and we don’t need protein. Literally no one follow their advice and succeeds. Maybe the place rots. Maybe it does but is fixable because the matériels are easy to replace. I’d ask what is the purpose of that cabin. If it’s a hunting lodge, it serves its purpose just fine. If it’s a home you expect to stand for 200 years, maybe not. I saw this and thought it was a great way to get rid of odds and ends.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Having enjoyed this building for 3+ years now I can say that I would not use this method for a primary dwelling. It is holding up reasonably well, but there are the predictable drafts around the logs in a few places, and do great way to solve this without making a mess of the appearance. My conclusion on cordwood construction is that it is a cheap, but time consuming approach suited for small structures and out buildings, or interior walls. I have no issues with rot, or insects. If the walls ever become too drafty, I will tear them out and replace them with dustcrete, which is also nearly free, but doesn’t have the same draft issues. That’s the beauty of having the timber frame.

[@Bolthole_Studios]

Beautiful! Would love to see a follow up video about pros/cons of these materials. Did you put a sealer on the exterior?

[@radicalgastronomy]

That’s a good idea. I’ll make one. I did not seal my log ends, but plan to. I wanted to make sure the logs were as dry as could be before sealing them. I’ll use a linseed oil/citrus solvent sealer, then patch any fine gaps with lime putty, at some point.

[@Bolthole_Studios]

I suppose with a wood stove inside, the moisture in the logs would be drawn out. Hmm 🤔 Interesting physics question, would the heat push it outside or the dryer air inside pull it in? Great channel, thx

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@Bolthole_Studios A stove fire draws a lot of air. All winter there is a draw to the inside, for sure. In the summer we run a window fan, and a window AC unit when it gets super hot. Air gets pushed out during the summer.

[@tomkelly8827]

After living in a log home for a few years, I decided against building with cordwood because of all that end grain will certainly be drafty in there. Sure the lime mortar will help

[@radicalgastronomy]

It is not a perfect system, to be sure. It’s beautiful, and affordable, but not the most efficient.

[@danielgeci4513]

What's the situation with say bugs that live or burrow into wood or the decay rate/issues? Is it treated to prevent those things or is it easy to repair of a log does prematurely rot thru or get infested and expose the outside or something

[@radicalgastronomy]

Because the end grain of the wood is exposed, moisture escapes easily, reducing the risk of rot. Termites aren’t really a thing where I live, but the lime inside the walls would prevent an infestation from getting too far.

[@karynlee9632]

I want to build using cordwood. My land is massive clay. How can i use that for the cob mix?

[@doktorzappergeck492]

Interesting idea. I'm looking into building methods for a couple of years now but I never came across this. Do you have a recommendation which construction method to use for a mostly very hot but sometimes rainy climate? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[@radicalgastronomy]

In a climate like that I would probably go with earthbag or cob with a good 24” high stone footer.

[@doktorzappergeck492]

@@radicalgastronomy Thanks.

[@Feral_Farmstead]

I've seen others treat the cordwood (borax) before letting it season for bugs. Since your wood was already seasoned, would you treat it if you were putting away green wood to air dry? I just don't want to treat a lot of wood incase it becomes just fire wood.

[@cuttiepatooti]

Good question. Did you get a answer?

[@enochborozinski890]

Great stuff! I am going to be doing something like this and plan on doing over a cinder block stem wall that is 8" wide. So thickness will be 8". The walls will be 8' high, my question is as you build the cordwood higher did you put any reinforcements to the wooden frame? Almost like rebar or wire? My concern is the stability of the wall as it gets higher, especially if the frame is wider than 4' or so. Thanks again and great video!

[@radicalgastronomy]

Your concern is valid. In this build, I half sank 3” construction screws into the timber frame, about every 6”. These get encapsulated in the lime mortar. A better move is to screw stickers as cleats all the way around the perimeter of the void to be stacked. Over time, the mortar shrinks a 64” from the wood, or vice versa. At any rate, there is a draft gap that has developed on mine, so I recommend the full cleat method to serve both anchoring and draft issues. Though further reinforcement should not be necessary, it wouldn’t hurt anything, to my thinking. Perhaps wire anchored to screws at each end. That wouldn’t interfere with the organic log layout. Good luck with your build!

[@enochborozinski890]

@@radicalgastronomy Thanks so much for the rapid response. That is awesome and was planning on doing something like that but it is always nice to hear from someone who has done already! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@enochborozinski890 same to you!

[@mebusy2280]

I forgot to "tappa tappa"... Will that cause problematic? I'm thinking about coloring my like mortar... Is that possible? Concrete coloring? Very inspiring work! Great job!!!

[@bryansovich2]

Do you think pee gravel as a substitute for your saw dust in the middle would work? Maybe mixed with lime? Keeping in mind condensation? Mold, and rot.

[@radicalgastronomy]

Pea gravel has no R value, and would be counter to the purpose. If you are worried about mold and rot, don’t. The alkalinity of the lime makes this an environment impossible for these to take hold.

[@mrslkungpowchikn1206]

Could you please share what the climate is there? Because ive wanted to use our cottonwood but we get a ton of rain where we live and cottonwood once it isnt alive anymore seems to break down very quickly in the elements, no? I have juniper too which IS great for exterior projects but im a little nervous, to see if something like you did there (Id like to make a small shop for tractor, implements etc) would be able to have a chance of holding up in our climate near Portland OR. But i love what you did and think it looks beautiful! I love the idea of using materials we already have available. This is the first time ive seen this done before. We would probably need to treat the exterior with some pretty heavy duty sealant. Wouldn’t hard wood be better for the exterior though to prevent all the movements softer woods tends to do due to moisture fluctuations? It’s very interesting and im sure with the right combo and pre processing it could be done especially if exterior is sealed or encapsulated. Im vert intrigued! Thanks for the video and please let me know of the cottonwood actual held up and what your climate is like (ours is considered “marine”).

[@radicalgastronomy]

We have vastly different climates. Mine is high dessert with low humidity and 12” of rain per year. Hardwood is rarely used for this, due to lower R value, but cedar in your situation would be suitable for the shed you describe.

[@NANA-vd3pf]

I was wondering how the mortar will affect the logs as they lose moisture. Would the walls get weaker as the wood loses or gains moisture? I love this idea though because it is so affordable and like a log cabin, but cheaper.

[@radicalgastronomy]

If your logs are very well seasoned before you build, the movement is minimal. My climate is very dry, so I haven’t experienced much moisture related swelling. The there are some tiny gaps around the logs in some places.

[@melissasworld5342]

Would this work if you built a foundation and then applied your technique? This would be an awesome idea I own property with loads of trees and I was just going to have someone come out and clear the land ( cut everything down and build up but with this idea 💡 I saved like 50% of my cost because I would only need to buy post and lime cement sand and the lumber for the foundation I'm so happy I came across your video I can do this I have a chainsaw and must of the tools needed thank you for sharing .👍🏽

[@safetyfirstintexas]

if you look closely the foundation around the shower (where he was working) is a concrete slab, so yes it works .

[@hafsalinda]

By splitting your full size logs into quarters you ensure the 30% mortar 70% wood ratio you could mix and pour hyper entrained aircrete into the wall void almost at completion and gain extra insulative value.imlo.

[@user-nh7ft2tr4f]

Здравствуйте. Подскажите пожалуйста Вы делаете раствор Песок +известь негашоная ( известь Вы гасите водой давая на реакцию 48 часов) Вопрос 1. Некоторые делают раствор с добавлением цемента. Как Вы считаете стоит ли добавлять цемент? Благодарю Вас за отзыв. Хочу построить дом пытаюсь разобраться в технологии..... 🙏

[@radicalgastronomy]

I am using "type S" lime which is hydrated lime, not quick lime. The same lime putty can be achieved from quick lime, but that is a hot and caustic reaction, so use care. I would not as cement. it is too rigid, and holds water against the wood, and could cause rot. The lime mortar will wick moisture away from wood surfaces, and "self heal" minor cracking, as the wall cures. Good luck with your build!

[@greenfaerieapothecary879]

Do you have a video that shows how to fix a Cordwood building? I have a few logs near the ground that termites or burrowing beetles have drilled part way through, and I don't know how to fix or replace the damaged logs.

[@radicalgastronomy]

I have no such video. I also have no experience with this repair. If I was doing this repair, I’d try chipping out the mortar around the rotten log, from both sides. If the home was built in the conventional fashion, there will be mostly void in the middle. With the mortar removed, the log should be easy to slide out. The wall structure should hold, as the logs form an arch over the hole. Replace the log and point mortar around it. Sorry I can’t offer expertise.

[@greenfaerieapothecary879]

@@radicalgastronomy thank you. I will be trying that.

[@LeonardoViglioneok]

Hello, the video is very interesting. I have seen many of your videos since I am using this technique. My question is; If I don't use columns, would the mixture to glue the wood be the same? Thanks from Argentina

[@radicalgastronomy]

The mixture is the same. You will want to lay long logs overlapping at the corners.

[@LeonardoViglioneok]

@@radicalgastronomy Muchas Gracias, Thank you very much, if I am going to put long logs in the corners, I send you a big hug from here in Argentina, very good video! Health

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@LeonardoViglioneok ¡De nada compadre!

[@gerard8496]

i used black ash on the tip of wisconsin ,just across from dulut

[@YTlovesPedos]

What’s the lime putty to sand mix? Thanks. Great vid!

[@radicalgastronomy]

5 parts sand to 1 part lime putty.

[@julijanmagda7855]

Extra in old days was stoun ashes ,,burned stoun end little caw +horse sticky glue end watter,,,thats was for 100 years good haus if are protected from rain end 200 years,,,the best is in this haus the moister temperature end life is healty ...to healty

[@Up_North_Adventures]

I have always wanted to build one of these Cordwood homes, wver since I saw my first one 20+ years ago. Can you get permits ETC. to build a Cordwood home basically anywhere? Like if building in say, an association or something like that? Timber framed with Cordwood walls. Like you did?

[@radicalgastronomy]

Codes and HOA rules vary. Most counties with building codes (thank God mine is not one) have an avenue for alternative construction. This usually involves having plans stamped by an engineer, and that is expensive. Updates to the IRCC include pressure testing the entire home, and I doubt cordwood would pass. You’ll want to do a lot of discovery before selecting your site.

[@Up_North_Adventures]

@@radicalgastronomy I am seeing as I do more and more research, that government just has to make life more & more difficult for us, ( unless of course you have money....they like money

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@Up_North_Adventures Largely pointless regulation inflates the cost of home construction from the $18/sf my house cost to nearly $300/sf a “code built” house costs. Add another $100/sf if you want to build something unusual. Lending requirements will also pigeon hole you back into conventional methods and materials. I’m writing a script for a whole video on this subject, so stay tuned!