posted 4 years ago
Hi to all,
In Zone 8a/8b x nearly 60 inches of rainfall a year I am befuddled about the correct building method for a permanent home. The abundant rainfall is both a blessing and a challenge. Cord wood is very abundant in the region, often as giveaways and all different species with red or soft oaks are well represented among the offerings. If I were not afraid of cordwood rot I might go in that direction, but then there is cob and how resistant is cob to water buffeting the structure at all angles (we have strong winds, a pronounced hurricane season and tornados.) Which way to go? Any thoughts?
It occurs to me that in traditional ship building you build frames out of white oak and planking out of white pine, one hard one soft but both woods extremely rot resistant. What about finishing the exterior of a cordwood house with short (6" sections) of white pine? If that's not going to work, what other materials could I add to a cob mixture to resist moisture? A cob/concrete mix? But cob is supposed to breathe, and concrete does not, so what sort of Franken-block would that be?
Thanks in advance for any advice and inspiration.
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