Cordwood

[@jamesfyffe2610]

Great things happen when a person of high intelligence embraces labor, is independent, and artistic. Beautiful.

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@jamesfyffe2610 You flatter me. Thanks!

[@noahstevens3060]

By independent, you mean possessing large quantities of money.

[@jamesfyffe2610]

@@noahstevens3060 No, not letting the confines of society dictate one’s options. Some men can walk into the wilderness with nothing and prosper…. Believe it or not.

[@noahstevens3060]

@@jamesfyffe2610 You are not doing this with zero resources.

[@noahstevens3060]

​@@jamesfyffe2610 Do you even know what property is or where objects come from?

[@Hoosierdude40]

My dad built a house exactly like this, move-in was 1986 when I was 2 years old. My folks, in their mid 70s, still live there today in the hills of southern Indiana. It work EDIT: He mixed mason jars into the East and West sides of the house. Beams of sunlight spray into the living room at various times of the mornings and evenings, it's the best. Foxfire books ideas lol

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@Hoosierdude40 Awesome! Always good to hear testimonials.

[@Alaska-Bush-Mom]

Were the jars laying on their sides, or standing up? I live in a remote village in Alaska. I used mason jars in my chicken coop wall for some light. I stood them up and they froze n broke. Maybe in their sides they would be more insulted?

[@huemid3974]

@@Alaska-Bush-Mom The guy above mentions Southern Indiana, coldest winter temperatures reach around 27 degrees Fahrenheit, this is not particularly cold. Your mason jars may have broken due to the warmth within the coop and the contrasting cold outside. The extreme differences in temperature could have caused the glass to crack. I experienced this when I was a kid, tried to defrost some freezer jam in a mason jar in my kitchen sink with hot water. The mason jar split in half, ruined my jam!

[@huemid3974]

@@Alaska-Bush-Mom You could try the same idea with square glass blocks for windows, the kind found in old diners and buildings. I think they are made to stand up to that kind of heat vs cold.

[@Hoosierdude40]

@@Alaska-Bush-Mom the jars were lying on their sides in the mortar, with the mouths in the living room

[@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.

[@soupflood]

Maybe the logs should've been completely covered with mortar/mesh on the outside

[@Bonnyladdadventures]

That's why you use lime .instead of cement

[@SoftYoda]

How do they protect the wood from rooting with humidity?

[@AntonovP]

@@Bonnyladdadventures why? And only lime or?

[@MikeQuinn-i3k]

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.

[@SoftYoda]

How do they protect the wood from rooting with humidity?

[@no_nuts]

@@SoftYoda Wood rots when it gets wet and stays wet. If it is allowed to get wet and dry out in the air it will last.

[@SvensktTroll]

Fire? ​@@SoftYoda

[@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!

[@blymark83]

Your knowledge of chemistry (both the theory and the associated safety in practice) is enjoyable to see in action

[@Woopwoopwill]

Just wanted to say thank you. This is the most informative post I've had the privilege of viewing in my 2 weeks of research on alternative sustainable building. You did a fantastic job of explaining the steps of building with cord wood and lime and sand mortar. I appreciate you taking the valuable time to make this video SR.❤😊

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@Woopwoopwill Thank you for appreciating my efforts. Like you, I was left with many questions about this approach after watching all I could find. I tried to cover the gaps with this one.

[@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!

[@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!

[@pedrosanquin]

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

[@JWoodcock]

Wow I'm not sure if I've ever seen walls built like that. The possibilities could be nearly endless, strikes me as a very good method for one man construction as well!

[@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

[@gotredeemed]

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

[@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!

[@ChrispaulPeters-pu9dr]

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

[@JzNMuzak]

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

[@dyannejohnson6184]

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

[@westcoaststruttin3243]

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

[@Baptized_in_Fire.]

A true craftsman. Subscribed.

[@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!! :)

[@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

[@soapboxearth2]

There's a couple of homes near where I live in Nova, Scotia, built this way. I first saw them 25 years ago, and they were very old at the time. I remember the walls being quite thick and had very deep window sills. I remember the logs had shrunk a bit, and you could see spaces around the mortar, but I'm sure there's an easy way to keep up maintenance on them over time. I was fascinated and read up on this method. I remember reading there were places in Greece that had some walls likethis standing that were 2000 years old.

[@jdrseven]

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

[@cvz8849]

Love the presentation and detail provided. Great video!

[@David-kd5mf]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@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.

[@WayneBrooks-e5j]

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

[@juandelacruz1520]

How do you deal with the expansion and shrinkage of wood

[@kylehoyt3499]

You don't, it falls apart

[@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!

[@Therubbersluggchannel]

As an HVAC guy this is brilliant, great job

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thank you

[@Maggiewuvsrufus]

Thanks for explaining so well !

[@lsusantitus7319]

So artistically beautiful. I love a cordwood construct! Thanks for sharing.

[@carlbodene8150]

Loved the video. Craftmanship is superb, Thank you for documenting this and sharing .

[@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 !

[@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

[@S1ph3r]

Good song selection and I really enjoyed this video. Was cool seeing other ways to build other than stick frame which I’m use to.

[@retiredarmy03]

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

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

[@aglaesaitschenko2349]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@keefardin612]

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

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thanks!

[@MegaLivingIt]

We really like the look of this; it just seems warmer than all stone. Thanks🌿

[@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!

[@fugueine]

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

[@radicalgastronomy]

My pleasure

[@capthappy345]

I am thinking of building a cabin and utilizing cord wood and mortar. Thanks for video!

[@D180sx]

Beautiful work and dogs. Very enjoyable video👌

[@bradsmith4279]

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

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thanks!

[@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.

[@rdallas81]

Good man. Hope your project is coming along good!

[@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.

[@mikedunn8427]

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

[@deronaldbaggett3828]

Excellent! Great information. Love the detail!!!!

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@deronaldbaggett3828 Thanks!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@janetjephcott8129]

Very good video by the way I felt I learned a lot ! We have a huge amount of Red cedar that was bulldozed out of the ground and piled in huge 10 foot piles around the property by the previous owner who had an illegal legal grow up actually! I think they’ve been sitting here for at least a year maybe more! In a huge tangle of branches and logs. So what you’re saying is that that we would have to be cut them up and leave for a year before we can use it? Or can we use it this summer? As it is. We’re trying to build something for me a granny house this summer. To get me out of this cold basement here and keep me out of a tent! My daughter and her husband have 80 acres of land. They’re willing to let me have a small amount to build my house on. Is there another idea perhaps to simply buy cords of seasoned wood-that sounds very expensive though? Or perhaps there are cuts that are not as nice but lumber Mills would sell for cheaper?

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@janetjephcott8129 That cedar sounds promising! I bet if you cut it to length as soon as the weather warms up it would be ready to build with by the time you have a foundation in. Check out my dustcrete video, too. If you have a nearby sawmill this maybe an even better option! Best of luck with your build.

[@janetjephcott8129]

Awesome!!! Thanks for the good advise!!!!

[@janetjephcott8129]

Yeah! I like the sound of the dustcrete foundation! Anything to reduce using Portland cement and its heavy tole on the environment.

[@JayPeek]

thank you for all of your time and expertise

[@SaintTrinianz]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@dirtyroofer3678]

Great idea . Never thought about lime based mortar.

[@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?

[@JosephCosgrove-ty6xk]

Very well done and very well spoken...

[@gee3883]

Brilliant. As a mason/bricklayer id just like to say you'd be better off using a trowel instead of your hands to spread the cement it's faster and also make it wetter. SAFETY please note folks that lime can explode, if you tipped lime from a bag into a container it can actually ignite and explode, stay safe happy building.

[@PeterErikson-rd5tj]

Can you tell me the problems with more simple , faster. vertical log construction for an Alaskan style Aprox 1000 Sq Ft Cabin. about 20. X 24. with a loft. -- about this size. You put a lot of thought and effort into what you do so I wanted to ask you about it. I was thinking 7-8. foot logs next to each other with some sprayed in white Insulating waterproof. Foam to seal gaps like is used on flat rooftops in Vegas, then metal barn siding and metal roof . *****One man Job -- Fast Cheap , and Strong.***** Cut trees - let them dry for 1 season . put them on a woden deck foundation . - big logs into the ground to support the deck.

[@vdarr1]

I am headed to 5 acres.. I totally would love to do this!!!! Homesteading… Bravo!!! Lots of 6 to 8 inch trees on site.. Would I cure covered or in a building for a year?

[@APOKOLYPES]

this was an amazing video, thank you for making these vdeos, learned alot

[@megamaze00]

The Chef John reference was gourmet.

[@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!

[@lifeisa.smalllesson333]

Looks very nice sir. Well done. I have had dreams of building something like this since i was a kid....unfortunately i was injured in the GWOT and am still fighting towards being healthy enough for such an undertaking. Be well.

[@radicalgastronomy]

All the blessings in your recovery.

[@newy22au]

Well done that man! what an achievement!

[@Alaska-Bush-Mom]

22:00 are there any issues with the lime sawdust being in contact with the electrical wire?

[@8DoverNJ]

Excellent video explaining this technique. I'm probably gonna be building an aircrete dome but will definitely consider cordwood since I got a lot of it at my property in WV. Has anyone ever told you that you look and SOUND like Peter Weller? It just so happened as I was watching this video, that I was wearing a Buckaroo Banzai t-shirt as well. Regardless, great video! Many Thanks!

[@richardmoore5944]

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

[@the_nondrive_side]

There's one in Wabowden Manitoba Canada at 30 Tait Rd. Built something like 1980. My parents sold it to another family that I ended up knowing the brothers. The walls were easily 18" thick

[@Alaska-Bush-Mom]

Can u use green wood and wood that is wet/rotten/old to do this? 23:23 u just answered this ? If I use green wood and the shrinking occurred. Could the gaps be filled in with more mortar and wood or rocks etc??

[@elspethmacdonald6411]

Im a bit confused about the cavity, I was thinking when you first explained it that you would build one wall, fire your sawdust and lime mix down the middle and have another wall going up concurrently on the exterior, but it didnt seem like that in the video?

[@boonemelvin2359]

Build this pilgrim. Love it. 16 " walls. Oak. Seal yearly last 100 years

[@overworlder]

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)

[@j2muw667]

2+ minutes in he talks about sawdust mixed with lime.

[@ryanhansen4294]

Appreciate you breaking down useful info like this

[@tomkuester5063]

Great Job Always wanted to do this Thankyou

[@thisismyfirstrodeo]

I apologize if this has been asked already, but I didn't see it mentioned in either of the FAQ vids you did. Could you use a solid layer of dustcrete packed in between the logs from end to end instead of doing lines of mortar with the gap in the middle? Mostly thinking of trying it for a wall around my garden, but also curious if it would be a viable option for walls of a building. Thank you for the great videos, keep up the good work!

[@user-yc9bv9sl8k]

I love how ignorant people are attacking you and they know nothing about what they're saying. You did an excellent job don't listen to The Losers

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@user-yc9bv9sl8k Isn’t the internet a trip! Thanks.

[@teeheeteeheeish]

Thank you for explaining this so well, truly fascinating! I hear your comments about the process being time consuming, however I think compared to traditional log building it appears to require less precision due to the joinery and also I would think that it is less back-breaking. I could be wrong.

[@radicalgastronomy]

@@teeheeteeheeish You are correct.

[@TacticalCaveman997]

How do you keep termites out ?

[@siggyincr7447]

By building where there are no termites.

[@jessicathompson4945]

I am in the process of building a cordwood house on top of a hyperadobe basement! can the Lime mortar have dye added to it? I am leaning towards a quirky/ artistic design. Also, can you give a breakdown of the size, and how much material you used? like lime, sand, sawdust, obviously estimates?

[@derekturner3272]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@richieanything333]

very great video.. shout out from Rowe Virginia

[@radicalgastronomy]

Thanks!

[@thethompsonexperience8531]

Any photos of the timber frame or blueprints? This is exactly what id like to build

[@EmbraceHappiness1]

A beautiful build. I like it.

[@mdevaderspam]

How does this look today? Any updates or information to share now?

[@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.

[@Nick-zp3ub]

It reminds me of a miner or fur trappers cabin from the old west. If the logs are coated in preservative they should last for years

[@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.

[@offgridglassblowing1075]

Could standing dead lodgepole pine be used without having to season the wood for the cordwood infill and therefore avoid the one year+ seasoning process?

[@missourirebel9669]

Did you build the timber frame structure or others? Is there a video of the structure build??

[@theduddha2]

Can you use regular concrete and wood? And if not why not?

[@YoNevNo]

Amazing content. Thank you.

[@RoyVoth]

How about outside corners ,pic's please

[@patrickdevaney4515]

Definitely a slow procedure but looks great. Id like to potentially do something like this for an entry way or mudroom.

[@radicalgastronomy]

That’s the perfect application.