BOTTLEWOOD!  Lee and David in Homer, Alaska are pleased to be sharing their cordwood construction project with the group.  With their most recent picture, they have created an “efficiency apartment” in the almost-finished home. 

This is a “best practices” build from start to finish. Note the tight mortar joints and random log placement of various sizes.  This speciality mortar mix has extra soaked sawdust and an additional 1/2 portion of Type S lime, which slows the set and cure. As you scroll, the reason it is called Bottlewood will become evident. 

Note the metal plates on the spliced top beams.

A panoramic view of the interior job site.

Note the Kenai Peninsula and Bay in the background.

The electrical is being run through what is fondly known as Blue Smurf Tubing.

Above: Foundation (Frost Protected Shallow Foundation) post framework (double 8″ x 8″s), stackwall-corners are glued and timber screwed to make a single post. The truss roof has relatively large overhangs and gutters.

The following pictures are details of the corners, posts and bottle-ends at Bottlewood!

That window box (window buck) is pretty doggone solid!

Attractive cordwood and bottle placement.  The random size pieces and tight mortar joints help to make the wall stand out as a work of art.

Clamps for holding the short stubbies in place (they could also be timber screwed) and shredded paper, treated with borax, for insulation.

Brackets, bolts and lag screws for the mending plates.

Wedge anchors to anchor the posts to the slab.  Lag bolts to hold the post in place.

Lee and David have promised more photos as they work on completing their Alaskan dream home.

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  

Cordwood Construction Best Practices Front_Cover_-_CC_Best_Practices small pixels

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 Construction: Best Practices DVD,  Cordwood Construction Best Practices (print) and Cordwood Conference Papers 2015 are the newest publications available from their online cordwood bookstore.”  www.cordwoodconstruction.org