Get that Distinctive Look . . . Go Cordwood!
Perfect For Your Floors or Walls
A lot of homeowners would agree that creating a style for their home that defies classification is something that would ensure your home doesn’t go out of style. And it’s even more of a smart choice if it won’t cost you an arm and a leg, such as cordwood, which is sourced from cut logs or timber. In fact, it’s something that do-it-yourself enthusiasts can easily do, or maybe your friendly neighborhood construction group already knows how to do it. Cordwood being a natural material, the patterns that result can be unique and would make a distinctive look not only on your walls or floor but to your home as a whole. The look can be modern or rustic depending on how you use it together with other surface materials in your house. Now let’s take a look at these photos to see how it’s done, then tell us what you think on our Facebook Page!
Cordwood construction is an economical use of log ends or fallen trees in heavily timbered areas. Other common sources for wood include Sawmills, split firewood, utility poles (without creosote), split rail fence posts, and logging slash. It is more sustainable and often economical to use recycled materials for the walls. Regardless of the source, all wood must be debarked before the construction begins. Whileover 30 different types of wood can be used, the most desirable rot resistant woods are Pacific yew, blad cypress (new growth), cedars, and juniper. Acceptable woods also include Douglas fir, western larch, Eastern White Pine, and Spruce Pine.
Less dense and more airy woods are superior because they shrink and expand in lower proportions than dense hardwoods. Most wood can be used in a wall if it is dried properly and stabilized to the external climate’s relative humidity. Furthermore, logs of identical species and source are preferred because they limit expansion/contraction variables.
CORDWOOD FOR FLOORING:
The cordwood pieces are first sanded on both surfaces or sides, and the concrete floor slab swept and mopped clean for better adhesion. The pieces are glued directly to the floor and firmly tamped. A light coat of polyurethane is applied on the surface of the wood pieces to prevent the grout (which will be applied later) from adhering to top of the pieces. Afterwards, the spaces between the wood pieces are filled in or grouted with a mixture of about 80% tile grout and 20% sawdust. Finally, 2 to 3 coats of polyurethane are applied to the surface to finish.
A combination of big and smaller pieces of cordwood combined with a wood border.
Flooring with panels in cordwood and flagstone with red brick borders.
Cordwood floor finish not only looks good inside the house, it also looks equally nice on the garden pathways or walks.
Cut portions of cordwood give a more modern look.
The combination of clay tiles and different sizes of cordwood pieces lends a mediterranean feel to this interior.
Overlapping cordwood pieces have a decidedly rustic charm with more interesting patterns.
Intricate cordwood shapes create unusual patterns on the floor.
…CONTINUE TO PAGE 2 FOR CORDWOOD WALL EXAMPLES…
