Cordwood / Stackwall — FarmPal

Short log ends (12-24") laid widthwise in a wall, set in mortar with an insulation cavity between inner and outer mortar faces. Creates a beautiful mosaic pattern and uses wood that would otherwise be waste crooked logs, windfall, thinnings.

History

Found in Scandinavia, Siberia, and Northern Greece dating back 1000+ years. Popular in northern Wisconsin and Quebec. Rob Roy of Earthwood Building School is the modern pioneer.

Cost/sq ft
$15-$45
Build Time
12-30 weeks
Crew Size
2-6 people
DIY Friendly
Yes ✓
Code Compliance
moderate
Thermal Mass
medium
R-Value
R-12 to R-24 (with insulated center cavity)
Lifespan
200+ years with proper wood preparation

Best Climates

cold
temperate
forested regions

Resistance Ratings (1-5)

tornado★★★☆☆
hurricane★★★☆☆
earthquake★★★☆☆
fire★★★☆☆
flood★★☆☆☆
mold★★☆☆☆
termites★★☆☆☆
bullets★★★☆☆

Materials

Debarked log ends (cedar, white pine, larch ideal)
Lime-sand mortar or sawdust-cement mortar
Insulation fill (sawdust, cellulose, wool)
Post-and-beam frame
Bottle ends for light (optional)
Linseed oil sealant

Build Steps

  1. 1Harvest, debark, and season logs for 1+ year (critical!)
  2. 2Cut log ends to uniform length (16-24" depending on climate)
  3. 3Build post-and-beam frame for structural support
  4. 4Lay two beads of mortar (inner and outer) with gap in between
  5. 5Press log ends into mortar, leaving center cavity
  6. 6Fill center cavity with insulation (sawdust-lime, cellulose)
  7. 7Point mortar around each log for clean finish
  8. 8Add bottle ends for decorative light features
  9. 9Seal log ends with linseed oil after mortar cures
  10. 10Apply roof with generous overhang

✓ Pros

  • •Beautiful unique aesthetics
  • •Uses waste wood/thinnings
  • •Good insulation with cavity
  • •DIY-friendly pace
  • •Can incorporate art/bottles
  • •Meditative building process

✗ Cons

  • •Slow construction
  • •Wood must be well-seasoned
  • •Mortar joints need monitoring
  • •Not the strongest in extreme weather
  • •Termite risk in some areas

⚠️ Warnings

  • •Unseasoned wood WILL shrink and crack causing air leaks and mortar failure
  • •Softwoods shrink less than hardwoods choose species carefully
  • •Wide roof overhang essential to protect mortar joints from rain
  • •Avoid oak and elm too much shrinkage for cordwood