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Cordwood Building: A Comprehensive Guide to the State of the Art - Fully revised Second Edition Paperback – 9 December 2016

4.7 out of 5 stars 147 ratings

Cordwood masonry walls are low-cost, easy to build, aesthetically pleasing, and score high environmental points for making use of low-impact materials.

This fully revised second edition of the most widely read and used book on cordwood construction presents the latest innovations and on-the-ground experience from four decades of cordwood building and research.

New chapters cover the practical how-to and the full depth and breadth of cordwood construction, including load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, integrating electrical wiring, innovations on corner designs, new mortar options such as lime putty, and the latest on cob-cordwood, insulation options, and bottle-end designs. There is detailed treatment of code compliance, efficient house shapes, and design considerations.

Richly illustrated and augmented with fresh case studies ranging from Hawaii and the Adirondacks to Tasmania and Michigan, Cordwood Building remains the most comprehensive book available on cordwood masonry construction methods.

Rob Roy has been building, researching and teaching about cordwood masonry for four decades. Widely recognized as a world leading authority on cordwood construction, Rob started Earthwood Building School in 1981 to train builders in the latest cordwood building methods. He has authored and edited a dozen books on alternative and natural building including the first edition of Cordwood Building, Timber Framing for the Rest of Us, Earth-Sheltered Houses, and Stoneview. Rob has also presented four videos, including two about cordwood, and has taught cordwood masonry all over the world.

Product description

Review

By far the most comprehensive book ever written on cordwood construction. Fact-filled, richly illustrated, and full of experience-based advice, this is the only book you'll need if you are interested in this planet-friendly, simple, low cost, and artistic construction technique.
--Lloyd Kahn, author of the Shelter Series of Building Books, including
Shelter, Home Work, and Tiny Homes

Cordwood Building hits the proverbial nail on the head with its thorough investigation of this sustainable practice. Rich in hands-on practicality, replete with attractive case studies and loaded with eye-catching photos, the reader is invited inside the pages, to have a look-around. This tome should be on the must read list for anyone contemplating cordwood construction.
--Richard Flatau, author,
Cordwood Construction Best Practices and Director at Cordwood Construction Resources

As keeper of the cordwood masonry flame, Rob Roy has devoted his 40-year career to the conscientious evolution of this unique building method. Champion of the owner-builder and defender of dollar-wise construction, his careful documentation of step-by-step procedure, user-friendly formulas, and ongoing development in the field combine to make this revised and updated edition an invaluable reference for the curious and serious alike.
--Richard Freudenberger, Resource Manager at Living Web Farms and former Publisher of
BackHome Magazine.

I wholeheartedly recommend this new edition of Rob Roy's classic book on Cordwood Building, which I consider to be one of the foremost techniques for furthering the cause of sustainable architecture. Not only do the results look naturally gorgeous, but the walls provide good insulation and thermal mass, without the need for further treatment once they are assembled. Couple this with the fact that the building process is easily learned and utilizes marginal wood unsuitable for other construction, and you have an outstanding system that is fully explained in Rob Roy's comprehensive book.
--Kelly Hart, founder, greenhomebuilding.com

If anybody knows cordwood, it's Rob Roy, who's been at the center of this expanding movement for more than two decades, experimenting, innovating and living within his creations. His comprehensive, practical guide Cordwood Building explores the nitty gritty of cordwood "how to", lessons learned, and innovations like cob mortar, paper-enhanced mortar, and bottle ends. A traditional building method for more than a millennium, modern cordwood
homes pass building codes and introduce building science to the "hobbit way of building", and Rob Roy's in depth book addresses air infiltration, vapor barriers, discussions of mass and insulation, and even electrical wiring. Practical and thrifty,
Cordwood Building is on the cutting edge of "mortgage free" thinking, inspiring do-it-yourself tiny homes that utilize affordable materials, and offer a beautiful aesthetic.
--Catherine Wanek, author/photographer,
The Hybrid House, co-editor, The Art of Natural Building, and co-founder of Builders Without Borders

From the Inside Flap


THE MOST WIDELY READ BOOK ON CORDWOOD CONSTRUCTION

Fact-filled, richly illustrated, and full of experience-based advice, this is the only book you'll need.
-- LLOYD KAHN, author,
Shelter, Home Work, and Tiny Homes

Rich in hands-on practicality, replete with attractive case studies and loaded with eye-catching photos.
-- RICHARD FLATAU, author,
Cordwood Construction BestPractices and Director at Cordwood Construction Resources

... Rob's careful documentation of step-by-step procedure and userfriendly formulas make this updated edition an invaluable reference for the curious and serious alike.
-- RICHARD FREUDENBERGER, Resource Manager at Living Web Farms and former Publisher of
BackHome Magazine

CORDWOOD MASONRY walls are low-cost, easy to build, aesthetically pleasing, and score high environmental points for making use of low-impact materials. This fully revised 2nd edition of the most widely read and used book on cordwood construction presents the latest innovations and on-the-ground experience from four decades of cordwood building and research.

New chapters cover the practical how-to and the full depth and breadth of cordwood construction, including loadbearing and non-load-bearing walls, integrating electrical wiring, innovations on corner designs, new mortar
options such as lime putty, and the latest on cob-cordwood, insulation options, and bottle-end designs. There is detailed treatment of code compliance, efficient house shapes, and design considerations.

Richly illustrated and augmented with fresh case studies ranging from Hawaii and the Adirondacks to Tasmania and Michigan, Cordwood Building remains the most comprehensive book available on cordwood masonry construction methods.

ROB ROY is Director of Earthwood Building School in West Chazy, New York, which teaches owner-builders how to build with cordwood masonry. Rob has authored and edited 15 books including the first edition of Cordwood Building, Timber Framing for the Rest of Us, Earth-Sheltered Houses, and Stoneview.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ New Society Publishers; Fully revised 2nd edition (9 December 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0865718288
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0865718289
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20.32 x 1.22 x 22.86 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 147 ratings

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Rob Roy
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Rob Roy has been building, researching and teaching about cordwood masonry for four decades. Widely recognized as a world leading authority on cordwood construction, Rob started Earthwood Building School in 1981 to train builders in the latest cordwood building methods. He has authored and edited a dozen books on alternative and natural building including the first edition of Cordwood Building, Timber Framing for the Rest of Us and Earth-Sheltered Houses. Rob has also presented four videos, including two about cordwood masonry and has taught cordwood masonry all over the world. Rob lives in Chazy, NY

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
147 global ratings

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Top reviews from Australia

  • Reviewed in Australia on 26 May 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I love how this book covers everything. Plenty of information to help me with my project.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Gavin Dransfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 June 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Very informative and helps to get the imagination buzzing. I was considering a timber frame with shiplap cladding, however I might do the gables in cordwall having read this book.
  • RJHolz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice
    Reviewed in the United States on 26 September 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Clearly written, informative, and nicely illustrated. Probably all you need to get going…(plus bottles, tools, wood, concrete, energy, time…)
  • Karen Godson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Like Christmas when this arrived!
    Reviewed in Canada on 13 May 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I have been thinking about getting this book since I discovered it a few years ago. The language is easy to understand, drawings and photos are very clear. It will be extremely valuable when I move to the middle of nowhere and build my retirement home. Thank you seller.
  • Health And Homestead Chad Kreuzer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on 24 March 2008
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a great read. Enjoyable and yet it seems to give plenty of info on the different aspects of the cordwood building process. More than half way through I found out that there was a glossary in the back which helps explain some of the terminology. I would highly recommend this book for anyone thinking of building a cordwood home. This book will give you most of the know-how to build it and most importantly it will help you decide if you do want to build cordwood. It worked for me. My wife and I are presently saving up to build a cordwood home. I think it would be a good idea to watch the "Complete Cordwood DVD" before actually building.
  • Becca Sharp
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, educational book.
    Reviewed in Canada on 30 September 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Top quality book for someone who wants to learn how to build cordwood. The writing is easy to read and explains everything so well. Highly recommend