Basic Cordwood House Plans
02/24/06 03:50 PM Category: House Construction
Our house design is coming along. Slowly, but steadily..
So far, our plan calls for a post and beam frame to support the roof. The cordwood infill will not be load bearing. (For more info on cordwood, check out DayCreek, it is an excellent website with tons of info and a discussion forum to boot.) The finished house with the loft will be nearly 1500 square feet. Below are the basic layout plans. Everything is still in the pre-production stage and subject to change, but we like this design a lot so hopefully no updates should be too major from this point on.
First Floor Plan:
Something to point out is the location of our wood cookstove v.s. the utility closet v.s. the bathtub.. It is a strategic setup in anticipation of heating our hot water in a boiler using the stove.
Loft Plan:
One thing to note is that we will not be using 16''x16'' posts in the corners as the plans indicate. Instead we have opted for a method of doing the corners that don't require such massive timbers. You will see more clearly how this will work in the following 3D renderings that I have sketched of the timber frame below.
Frame Overview: (The front porch is not shown)
The cordwood is worked up first on the front and back walls, and then the side walls can be built up to them in the corners, like this:
[X][X] | | | | |
-------- | | | | |
--------
--------
Window and door frames will be free-floating in the cordwood infill. All posts and beams are 8''x8''s, except for the roof ridge beam and main roof girders. These will be 8''x10''s to accommodate the heavier load of the roof.
Post Detail:
The 8''x8'' posts are doubled to provide a good surface to build the cordwood up to. You can see the extra support under the posts, as well as the treated sill plate that rests on our foundation.
Roof and Gable:
Rafters are 2''x10''s spaced 16'' oc. The height of the loft at the center is 10'. (Yes, that is an 8''x8'' ridge beam that is pictured... The model has been updated with an 8''x10'', but these pics were most convenient at the time.) Note the extra framing in the floor next to the rim joist to provide good bearing for the heavy cordwood wall.
Loft Detail:
Here is a view looking down at the living room from the open loft. The bedrooms will be on either side of the peak, at the far end of the house. Loft joists are 4''x8''s spaced 4' oc.
Lower View:
You can see the piers under the floor in this view. The floor joists are 2''x8''s spaced 16'' oc and are double under walls and other points of added stress.
That's it! The beauty of 3D rendering is that you can take any picture you want from any viewpoint, and I think I covered all the main points of interest...
Andrew
So far, our plan calls for a post and beam frame to support the roof. The cordwood infill will not be load bearing. (For more info on cordwood, check out DayCreek, it is an excellent website with tons of info and a discussion forum to boot.) The finished house with the loft will be nearly 1500 square feet. Below are the basic layout plans. Everything is still in the pre-production stage and subject to change, but we like this design a lot so hopefully no updates should be too major from this point on.
First Floor Plan:
Something to point out is the location of our wood cookstove v.s. the utility closet v.s. the bathtub.. It is a strategic setup in anticipation of heating our hot water in a boiler using the stove.
Loft Plan:
One thing to note is that we will not be using 16''x16'' posts in the corners as the plans indicate. Instead we have opted for a method of doing the corners that don't require such massive timbers. You will see more clearly how this will work in the following 3D renderings that I have sketched of the timber frame below.
Frame Overview: (The front porch is not shown)
The cordwood is worked up first on the front and back walls, and then the side walls can be built up to them in the corners, like this:
[X][X] | | | | |
-------- | | | | |
--------
--------
Window and door frames will be free-floating in the cordwood infill. All posts and beams are 8''x8''s, except for the roof ridge beam and main roof girders. These will be 8''x10''s to accommodate the heavier load of the roof.
Post Detail:
The 8''x8'' posts are doubled to provide a good surface to build the cordwood up to. You can see the extra support under the posts, as well as the treated sill plate that rests on our foundation.
Roof and Gable:
Rafters are 2''x10''s spaced 16'' oc. The height of the loft at the center is 10'. (Yes, that is an 8''x8'' ridge beam that is pictured... The model has been updated with an 8''x10'', but these pics were most convenient at the time.) Note the extra framing in the floor next to the rim joist to provide good bearing for the heavy cordwood wall.
Loft Detail:
Here is a view looking down at the living room from the open loft. The bedrooms will be on either side of the peak, at the far end of the house. Loft joists are 4''x8''s spaced 4' oc.
Lower View:
You can see the piers under the floor in this view. The floor joists are 2''x8''s spaced 16'' oc and are double under walls and other points of added stress.
That's it! The beauty of 3D rendering is that you can take any picture you want from any viewpoint, and I think I covered all the main points of interest...
Andrew
Peacefully working ahead
02/23/06 02:34 PM Category: General
It's another beautiful winter day in the UP. Snowing, as usual, with the sun out at the same time. We've had about 6 inches a day for the past few days so my arms are getting stronger from all the shoveling. I've been spending a lot of time with the new Forum, plus learning about Fukuoka farming methods (the "do-nothing" method of farming.. right up my alley 
, and ordering seeds for the garden and fruit and nut trees, bushes and vines. Yes, our goal is to turn this little plot of land into the Garden of Eden.
The kids have been highly motivated to get their bluegrass band off the ground, and have been practicing several hours each day. Andrew plays the guitar, Mary the banjo, Annie the mandolin and Theresa is learning the fiddle (screeeech... boy, that one takes a lot of patience to learn, for the whole family.
We've also been fine-tuning our house plans, though still have many details to attend to. It's been a job just to figure out the framework and insulation and floor plan. Now, we're starting to learn about water systems and alternative power. It's a good thing that Andrew's mind is sharp and he can plow through a lot of information quickly. All I have to do is give him my ideas and hopes and he runs with it and comes back to me with what's possible. He's quite the researcher, and can learn quickly about any subject that he needs to know.
We are grateful for the recent cold snap, because, prior to this, we weren't able to get our timbers for the house. The trails have all been too soft for the loggers to get back and cut. A couple of weeks ago, there was water and green grass under the snow. The typical winter days of this winter are so comfortable and enjoyable. If it's near 30 and sunny, and you're going to be active, you don't even need a jacket outside. No bugs, no mud.. it's wonderful. Plus, we've noticed that there isn't a build-up of ice out here like there was at our previous home, so we should be able to ride the horses in the winter. Of course, the icelandic horses love the ice, and reportedly can do the flying pace at 30 mph across a frozen lake of sheer ice. I'll try that in the next life.
Speaking of the icelandics, they are all coming along nicely. They have such pretty big eyes, and beautiful movement when they run. I could just stand and watch them all day. A few of them are starting to warm up quite a bit now, and come up to us and turn around for us to scratch their rear ends. The kids just love them, and get such a kick out of hanging out in the pasture with them and buddying up.
The mules have come the furthest, though, but of course they are more mature. April, the older mule, has decided that people are really neat, and she'll come up when she sees you coming and follow you all over the pasture. We had the saddle on her and cinched up yesterday, and she just looked at us like, "Yeah, and now what do I do?" She's calm, affectionate, smart and a pleasure to work with, not to mention gorgeous.
Blessings!
Meg
, and ordering seeds for the garden and fruit and nut trees, bushes and vines. Yes, our goal is to turn this little plot of land into the Garden of Eden.The kids have been highly motivated to get their bluegrass band off the ground, and have been practicing several hours each day. Andrew plays the guitar, Mary the banjo, Annie the mandolin and Theresa is learning the fiddle (screeeech... boy, that one takes a lot of patience to learn, for the whole family
.We've also been fine-tuning our house plans, though still have many details to attend to. It's been a job just to figure out the framework and insulation and floor plan. Now, we're starting to learn about water systems and alternative power. It's a good thing that Andrew's mind is sharp and he can plow through a lot of information quickly. All I have to do is give him my ideas and hopes and he runs with it and comes back to me with what's possible. He's quite the researcher, and can learn quickly about any subject that he needs to know.
We are grateful for the recent cold snap, because, prior to this, we weren't able to get our timbers for the house. The trails have all been too soft for the loggers to get back and cut. A couple of weeks ago, there was water and green grass under the snow. The typical winter days of this winter are so comfortable and enjoyable. If it's near 30 and sunny, and you're going to be active, you don't even need a jacket outside. No bugs, no mud.. it's wonderful. Plus, we've noticed that there isn't a build-up of ice out here like there was at our previous home, so we should be able to ride the horses in the winter. Of course, the icelandic horses love the ice, and reportedly can do the flying pace at 30 mph across a frozen lake of sheer ice. I'll try that in the next life
.Speaking of the icelandics, they are all coming along nicely. They have such pretty big eyes, and beautiful movement when they run. I could just stand and watch them all day. A few of them are starting to warm up quite a bit now, and come up to us and turn around for us to scratch their rear ends. The kids just love them, and get such a kick out of hanging out in the pasture with them and buddying up.
The mules have come the furthest, though, but of course they are more mature. April, the older mule, has decided that people are really neat, and she'll come up when she sees you coming and follow you all over the pasture. We had the saddle on her and cinched up yesterday, and she just looked at us like, "Yeah, and now what do I do?" She's calm, affectionate, smart and a pleasure to work with, not to mention gorgeous.
Blessings!
Meg
Great day with the horses
02/08/06 06:35 PM Category: Livestock
It was glorious here today. The high was in the low 20's, but, with the sun shining and glistening on the few flakes of Lake-effect snow, it wasn't the least bit uncomfortable. As a matter of fact, while out playing with the horses, I had to take off my hat and mittens and unzip my jacket.
Theresa is in highest heaven today because she got on Lena, our 2 yr old Icelandic filly, for the first time. It is a thrill like none other to be the first human accepted on the back of a horse... well, if you can call Lena that. She's unlike any I have ever known. She is so smart, brave, curious, willing, and affectionate, that she seems more like a big dog than a horse (easier to train than any dog I've ever known, either). I just don't know what to make of her. Every time I play with her, I walk away shaking my head... is this for real, Lord?
We don't really know what the 4 other Icelandic ponies are going to be like to work with, yet, because they are all still pretty shy. The kids have been patient and allowing them to get used to us. They approach them in slow circles, quickly backing off if the ponies show tension. With this approach, they have been able to pet all of them. The youngest, a silver dapple stud colt that is as cute as a button, loves to be pet. Stephen has really fallen in love with him. It breaks my heart to have to tell him not to get too attached, because I think we'll have to sell him. There is a black yearling filly who is just about the same size as Lena. She seems to be the most curious about us and is hanging around closer and closer lately. She came up and smelled my hand today. She is so pretty.
For now, though, I don't mind letting the other ponies take their time in getting to know us, as we have enough to do with teaching Lena and the 2 mules, April and Mae, to lead, tie and pick up their feet. They are all coming along very nicely. Surprisingly, though, Lena is quickly getting ahead of the mules, even though she's only 2 and they are 5 and 7. All of them are so nice and calm and gentle. They have all been a pleasure to be with. I love owning horses again.
Theresa is in highest heaven today because she got on Lena, our 2 yr old Icelandic filly, for the first time. It is a thrill like none other to be the first human accepted on the back of a horse... well, if you can call Lena that. She's unlike any I have ever known. She is so smart, brave, curious, willing, and affectionate, that she seems more like a big dog than a horse (easier to train than any dog I've ever known, either). I just don't know what to make of her. Every time I play with her, I walk away shaking my head... is this for real, Lord?
We don't really know what the 4 other Icelandic ponies are going to be like to work with, yet, because they are all still pretty shy. The kids have been patient and allowing them to get used to us. They approach them in slow circles, quickly backing off if the ponies show tension. With this approach, they have been able to pet all of them. The youngest, a silver dapple stud colt that is as cute as a button, loves to be pet. Stephen has really fallen in love with him. It breaks my heart to have to tell him not to get too attached, because I think we'll have to sell him. There is a black yearling filly who is just about the same size as Lena. She seems to be the most curious about us and is hanging around closer and closer lately. She came up and smelled my hand today. She is so pretty.
For now, though, I don't mind letting the other ponies take their time in getting to know us, as we have enough to do with teaching Lena and the 2 mules, April and Mae, to lead, tie and pick up their feet. They are all coming along very nicely. Surprisingly, though, Lena is quickly getting ahead of the mules, even though she's only 2 and they are 5 and 7. All of them are so nice and calm and gentle. They have all been a pleasure to be with. I love owning horses again.