Can I build a cordwood addition onto an existing home? Certainly, you can. The three most important factors contributing to success are: building a proper foundation, adding solid framing and capping it with a good roof. The foundation must be tied into the existing foundation so it doesn’t move or float. The framing will hold the structure in place while the cordwood is being applied and the roof needs to tie into the existing roof and not create a problem with drainage or leakage. If the roof can be safely added and braced before the cordwood is added, it will provide shelter for the builder and the materials.
A framed addition to a shake shingle cabin. The owner took pains to make sure that all the angles match.
Three Different Styles: (Above) An addition to an A-frame that added hundreds of square feet to the existing cabin.
These contractors used Cordwood Construction Best Practices (available in the bookstore) to build this cordwood addition in Pennsylvania.
Sandy Clidaras added a round breezeway between his two cordwood cabins in Quebec, Canada.
Tom Huber added a cordwood addition to his saltbox home in Watervliet, Michigan. The stones he collected over several years add so much character to the project.
Rainlee built a cordwood BnB with her son in the Adirondacks of New York (and added a rectangle washroom to the back).
Sebastien built a model of his cordwood home before framing it. He used a half circle for the front and a rectangle for the back.
Jessica Ann added a post-frame addition to an existing cordwood structure and added “struts” to bring the two buildings together.
They did a nice job with the cordwood infill as well.
Hybrid Buildings:
Peter Kulich added a post-frame addition to the curved cordwood cabin he purchased. The addition is not cordwood, but cob plaster with a coat of lime render.
The two buildings share a breezeway.
The MudGirls provided their expertise with the lime render and plaster.
The two buildings flow nicely into each other’s arms.
Below: Sandy Clidaras added a round breezeway to his two BnB Cordstead buildings. Three rounds in a row!
The finished product is beautiful and functional.
Should you wish to learn how to build a cordwood cottage, cabin or home, please visit www.cordwoodconstruction.org While you are there, click on the pictures, read the brief articles, check out the latest workshops and newsletter and if you are interested click on the Online Bookstore to see all the cordwood literature available in print and ebook format.
If you have questions that aren’t answered on the website you can email me at richardflatau@gmail.com
Readers have requested a brief bio, so here goes:
Richard & Becky Flatau built their mortgage-free cordwood home in 1979 in Merrill, Wisconsin. Since then, they have written books, conducted workshops, facilitated the 2005, 2011 and 2015 Cordwood Conferences and provided consultation for cordwood builders. Cordwood Workshop DVD (2018), Cordwood Construction Best Practices (print 2017) and Cordwood Conference Papers 2015 are the newest publications available from their Online Cordwood Bookstore. The books & DVDs are also available as ebooks for a quick and easy shipping free download. www.cordwoodconstruction.org
This is the Cordwood Workshop Video will show you how to build a best practices cordwood home.
These are the 30 menu sections from the Cordwood Workshop DVD.
Thank you for your kind attention to Cordwood Construction. If you would like more information, please visit www.cordwoodconstruction.org
Or email me at richardflatau@gmail.com
