Essential Cordwood Building

Cordwood construction - log-ends set in insulated mortar - is a versatile, economical, low-impact, and beautiful building method. Its durability and performance has been proven in beautiful, centuries-old buildings in North America and Europe.

Yet until now, there has been no trusted, practical guide to cordwood construction using the material in a wide variety of construction projects.

Distilling decades of experience and best practices, Essential Cordwood Building is the first fully illustrated, step-by-step guide to cordwood building. Ideal for the DIYer and professional designer and builder alike, it covers:

Wood species selection, log-end length, and seasoning

Cement, lime putty, and cob mortar options

Wall cavity insulation options

Budgeting and estimating

Highly illustrated, step-by-step building techniques

Window and door frame installation

Pointing and chinking, finishing, and plastering

Special designs and decorative features

Code references, compliance, building science, and best practices

Troubleshooting and maintenance