Low Cost Cordwood Buildings Built To Last
 ✖  |
Richard Flatau built his cordwood home over 40 years ago and has helped thousands build with cordwood ever since. The low-cost building method has been used for saunas, homes, barns, chapels and more. Flatau has produced books, videos and led workshops across the country. Now in his mid 70’s, he has seen cordwood construction change dramatically over the years.
“When we built our house 41 years ago, cordwood construction was a free-for-all, using any wood, any mortar and any foundation,” says Flatau.
Built right, cordwood construction can last, as his house has. Flatau points to the many cordwood barns built in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the 1930’s. Unfortunately, many didn’t last.
“Over time we’ve identified 16 best practices to follow to come out with the best end result,” he says. “I’ve seen horror stories related to not following the rules.”
Flatau emphasizes the need for a solid, conventional foundation, one that holds at least 500 lbs. per linear ft.
A second basic rule is to put up a framework and a roof before beginning to build walls. This makes it possible to put on temporary siding and move all materials under cover and work on the walls from the inside, regardless of the weather.
“Without a framework, we had to use the strongest mortar we could, one that set up fast,” says Flatau. “With a framework, we can use weaker mortar that sets up slower and smoother.”
Another big change was an evolution from a standard 6-in. dia. cordwood. Today wood of all sizes and multiple species, with the addition of bottles and other objects, is encouraged as a way to make the building more interesting and personalized.
One limiting, but important, factor is the use of softwood logs instead of hardwood. Flatau explains that the softwood has larger, more open cells that can handle moisture without swelling.
“Hardwood, with its small, dense cells, swells when it absorbs moisture, cracks the mortar and tips walls out of plumb,” he says. “In our area, they used to crack granite slabs by drilling a hole in the granite, driving in a piece of hardwood and soaking it. As the wood expanded, it cracked the granite.
“On our Cordwood Construction Facebook page, people have posted pictures of cordwood tables, floors and buildings of all kinds,” says Flatau. “We also have an Instagram account, a YouTube channel, and a website. All of these are good sources of information on building with cordwood.”
Flatau notes that his e-book and a DVD of workshops are on sale through the end of the year. “People can get all the information they need in digital form for under $30,” he says. “Cordwood construction is labor intensive and takes longer than conventional construction. If FARM SHOW readers are going to do it, it is good to be armed with the correct information.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Richard Flatau (ph 715 212-2870; richardflatau@gmail.com; www.cordwoodconstruction.org).
Click here to download page story appeared in.
Click here to read entire issue
Low Cost Cordwood Buildings Built To Last BUILDINGS Miscellaneous Richard Flatau built his cordwood home over 40 years ago and has helped thousands build with cordwood ever since The low-cost building method has been used for saunas homes barns chapels and more Flatau has produced books videos and led workshops across the country Now in his mid 70’s he has seen cordwood construction change dramatically over the years “When we built our house 41 years ago cordwood construction was a free-for-all using any wood any mortar and any foundation ” says Flatau Built right cordwood construction can last as his house has Flatau points to the many cordwood barns built in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the 1930’s Unfortunately many didn’t last “Over time we’ve identified 16 best practices to follow to come out with the best end result ” he says “I’ve seen horror stories related to not following the rules ” Flatau emphasizes the need for a solid conventional foundation one that holds at least 500 lbs per linear ft A second basic rule is to put up a framework and a roof before beginning to build walls This makes it possible to put on temporary siding and move all materials under cover and work on the walls from the inside regardless of the weather “Without a framework we had to use the strongest mortar we could one that set up fast ” says Flatau “With a framework we can use weaker mortar that sets up slower and smoother ” Another big change was an evolution from a standard 6-in dia cordwood Today wood of all sizes and multiple species with the addition of bottles and other objects is encouraged as a way to make the building more interesting and personalized One limiting but important factor is the use of softwood logs instead of hardwood Flatau explains that the softwood has larger more open cells that can handle moisture without swelling “Hardwood with its small dense cells swells when it absorbs moisture cracks the mortar and tips walls out of plumb ” he says “In our area they used to crack granite slabs by drilling a hole in the granite driving in a piece of hardwood and soaking it As the wood expanded it cracked the granite “On our Cordwood Construction Facebook page people have posted pictures of cordwood tables floors and buildings of all kinds ” says Flatau “We also have an Instagram account a YouTube channel and a website All of these are good sources of information on building with cordwood ” Flatau notes that his e-book and a DVD of workshops are on sale through the end of the year “People can get all the information they need in digital form for under $30 ” he says “Cordwood construction is labor intensive and takes longer than conventional construction If FARM SHOW readers are going to do it it is good to be armed with the correct information ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Richard Flatau ph 715 212-2870; richardflatau@gmail com; www cordwoodconstruction org
