This Cordwood Workshop was built with thoughtful precision which produced beautiful results.
From Cheryl and Steve King:
“Thought I would share photos of our 20′ X 40′ shop build. We used 18″ western red cedar logs in a pole-construction frame (6″ X 10” treated “poles”).
Started installing logs & mortar in June of 2025 & set the last log Sept. 1, 2026.” We have had a ball.”
In our area, engineered plans were required to obtain a building permit. So, that was a hurdle to find an engineer willing to take it on. We found one in another state who also had credentials in Washington State.
We hired a Builder to do the site prep, frame the pole building, and the cement work. After the roof was on, my wife & I took over, and progress slowed waaaay down. :-).
The cordwood portion of the build has rather tedious, especially the higher the walls got, but the sense of accomplishment at the end of each day was worth it.
One thing I’m glad we did was to attend Charlie Yeager’s weekend seminar 3 summers ago. That gave us the confidence we needed to go for it.
Scaffolding, a ladder, eye protection, and pvc gloves are all part of having a safe working environment.
The blue color on the horizontal logs is painter’s tape. It keeps the post from accidental staining from the mortar.
The Borax Dunk Tank is for preserving the wood safely. Go to the Best Woods for Cordwood blog post to get the details. 
Post and beam framework with a carpenter-framed roof.
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 instruction for thousands of cordwood builders. Cordwood Workshop Video (2020), Cordwood Construction Best Practices (2020) and Cordwood Conference Papers 2015 are the newest publications available from their online cordwood bookstore. www.cordwoodconstruction.org
Here is a picture of the Cordwood Workshop Video cover, featuring the Cordwood Education Center.
For more information on Cordwood Construction, click on the picture or visit www.cordwoodconstruction.org Below is the 30 item Video menu.
