Melody May

Hi all! Sorry for the delayed response. I'm very grateful for all your input.

Lorrine-- all I can say is WOW and thank you so so much! All this is so helpful, I'm floored at the amount of time you took to put all that together for me!! I will surely heed your advice. I did some more rubble trench research and it appears that a building code inspector can deny it for any reason they see fit, so I may not be able to use it after all and will have to spring for concrete footers or ICFs. I still need to speak with an architect anyhow and they may also throw rubble trench out the window. I should have looked this up sooner, but I found out that New York absolutely requires an architect/engineers stamp for any and all residences (some states dont require it if under a certain square footage). Anyway, getting their input will surely be worth it anyway. As far as the mortar-- I have spoken with a gentleman that build a cordwood cabin in the town just next to mine (it was actually his story and mortar mix that was featured in one of my cordwood research books) and he used cellulose enhanced mortar, and said that after ten years has observed no shrinkage whatsoever in the logs. This input has been of particular interest because my cordwood cabin will be in the same climate, and cellulose enhanced mortar seems to be the way to go. I am still planning on doing several test batches of different mortars though.

Thank you again SO MUCH for all this valuable information. I encourage you to build that little shed! You definitely have all the know-how (:

what's your email? we'll chat there.

Gregg Brazel wrote:Melody,

I'm not sure about the 15% ratio, but you are correct that most windows should be placed on the south side (in N. hemisphere), but there are almost always windows on other sides for ventilation and daylight. On the north elevation, you might look into high performance triple glazed units. You can also install heavy curtains / insulating blinds to reduce heat loss at night / when not home.  

One heating source could handle the job if properly designed. You might want to check out Walker Stoves, beautiful and efficient (on youtube also). You could heat your space, water and cook on one well-planned stove.  See sheet 15 for ideas here http://ehrlum.com/port/archdes/g-mobile.pdf

Also highly recommended for what you are building: Northmen, Birth of a Wooden House on YT.  1/2 education and ideas, 1/2 art film.  

g

I hadn't heard of triple glazed units -- thank you! That seems like a great way to allow me the view while keeping the home warm. I'll start researching them immediately. I will also definitely check out those other recommendations.

Rob Lineberger wrote:When you say wood burning stove... are you familiar with Rocket Mass Heaters?  If not I encourage you to read up on it.  This site is the perfect place to start.

I keep seeing the little sidebars for the free plans to build a rocket mass heater! I hadn't done much research into them, but after briefly looking them up I now see that there are many different variations. Something worth researching for sure.

Forgot to say ~ Happy *early* Birthday!

At this point in time, I must be exactly where you were five years ago. I’m 25 and have just bought my dream property and I’m so excited at the thought of turning it into my own secret paradise, tucked away and out of the mainstream. I can’t wait to spend all day every day turning my beautiful forest into a homestead. But I think our only difference is that I’m kind of expecting to grow old alone. I don’t know why... I just can’t bring myself to settle. I don’t fear the idea, nor do I welcome it. It just seems likely. Rationally, I know that humans need deep and meaningful connections, but in today’s society they feel so hard to find. So I’ve decided to throw myself into this life project and if I die an old maid, so be it. I’ll certainly have at least 3 dogs, some cats, chickens and hopefully even a goat by then, so I won’t be totally alone lol.

Here’s the funny thing I guess. I just joined Permies today and came across your post in two different sections. The first time, it was in a random generated list and I didn’t click it. The second time I saw the title, in this forum specifically, I figured the universe was telling me to look. I’ve snooped your other posts, and imagine my disappointment in seeing that you’re in WA, when I just left Seattle two months ago. I wonder if we ever crossed paths. I would have loved to find your tribe while I was in the area, but — oh well. My path leads to upstate New York, to a tiny town beside a river, quite literally thousands of miles away.

You seem like a genuine and caring person, with a deep love and reverence for the land. You don’t sound bitter or broken, but rather open to life’s possibilities. I think it’s beautiful what you’ve created and I hope you find the missing puzzle piece to share it with one day.

Best of luck dream weaver (:

Gregg Brazel wrote:Hi Melody,

Your plans sound fantastic! As you know, there is a lot of ground to cover in your scope, but in early planning stages I would highly recommend that you put a lot of focus on Passive Solar Design principles as they will have a huge impact on the thermal performance and comfort of the structure. The main considerations are siting, building axis/orientation, window placement, ventilation, thermal mass, overhangs, and vegetation (existing and/or future). Here's an intro to PSD: http://lthr.ehrlum.com/14.htm

There are of course several books on the subject, and if you're not already well versed, you might want to pick one up because it is IMO one of the most important design considerations.

Best of luck with your project and feel free to contact me if you'd like more specifics.

Gregg

Gregg,
Wow, those diagrams and videos are so helpful!! I've not seen those before. Thank you! I have definitely heard of the importance of passive solar design. I have had two separate sources recommend reading "A Pattern Language" by Christopher Alexander et al which highlights the importance of southern facing windows and creating light within a space. The numbers I've been told are to take 15% of the sq footage of the whole house, and translate that into the sqft of windows on the south side (ex. 1000 sqft home should have 150sqft of windows on south side). The only downside to this is that PSD minimizes windows on the north side, which is basically the entire view of the beautiful wild forest in the rear of my property. I may have to put at least one window to allow for a view, haha. As it stands, my plan is to only employ PSD, radiant heat with PEX tubing, and a wood-burning stove to heat my home. Do you think these three in combination will be sufficient enough?

Rob Lineberger wrote:Welcome! That's a great first post.  It sounds like you have solid plans and expectations.

I have some of the same questions you do so don't take this as expertise, but my research on rubble trench has always shown the trench surrounding the perimeter of the house and with robust french drain type channels to divert all of the water away from the home.  In that case I think the square/round/house-shaped perimeter is needed to siphon water away.  

My inference is that that leaves the interior floor dry enough for earthen floors.  This comes from earthbag home research.  The ones I've seen begin with a tamped gravel floor.

Hi Rob! Thank you! I was hoping to hear the earthen floors were possible especially in wet climates. So it sounds like if the proper precautions are taken I should be able to use that method of flooring. Also didn't know they start with tamped gravel so that's good to know!

Hello! I am new to the permies community but I am so thrilled that a forum like this exists. I have been doing lots of research on building a cordwood home, with plans to turn my acreage into a full on homestead that features a pond, a greenhouse, chicken coop, etc. -- all in due time, of course. I fully plan on posting/participating in other topics on this website so I can get the best advice on each of these goals.

The property is 10 acres, heavily wooded, south facing, on a paved road with access to power (haven't decided if I can do solar to remain 100% off grid yet). The first 1/4 or so of the property is level but begins to drop off the further back you go (it's long and rectangular). It descends to low, muddy, fern-heavy wetlands (perfect for a pond!). There are only a couple of these spots but the rest is wooded, as I mentioned. Predominantly biiiig red pines, eastern white cedar, hemlock, and sugar maples.

My plan is to build a 1800sqft -ish house (still finalizing my designs) and I would like to break ground Spring 2022. I intend on using the pine from my property for the timber frame of the house, and the cedar for the 16" cordwood infill. My research suggests that a rubble trench foundation is best for the humid/wet climate of Upstate NY (St. Lawrence county) so that the soil can drain appropriately and prevent heaving when the water in the soil melts. This also seems like the best option for me because, although labor intensive, I can build this kind of foundation by myself. Ideally then, a grade beam on the rubble trench to support the timber frame. One question I have is, what dictates the need to dig the trench in certain spots? For example, I'd like to make my exterior walls the cordwood and make interior walls out of cob and some structural wood (like stud walls but then infill with cob). Does every cob wall need support from the rubble trench/grade beam? I would assume it's only for the posts that are supporting the frame/roof. Is this a correct assumption? Further, what kind of flooring works well with rubble trench foundations? I'm quite drawn to earthen floors (I looked up some permie posts that discuss earthen floors and PEX radiant heating) but I would also like to use the wood from some maples for flooring somewhere.

Also, in timber frames, what would you suggest is the best use of all the head space? Would I lose significant heat if I chose to keep the cathedral style ceilings? (A lot of my focus is on keeping my house airtight and warm in the winter. I am not from a cold climate.) I am not fond of two-story homes which is why I am neither digging a basement nor making it two stories. I like to walk on solid ground, lol. I'd consider room-in-attic trusses but then I'd need to invest in having stairs made and I'm not sure how expensive those are.

I surely have plenty more research to do (HVAC, electricity and plumbing specifics, etc.) but I also wanted to come here and consult those of you who have embarked on similar projects or who live in the freezing cold north country and can offer advice with building. If you have ANY advice pertaining to all or even just one of the questions I posed, I would so greatly appreciate it!! I am still exploring articles daily but there's so much info on the internet, it can be hard to sort through it all and not get totally burnt out. Thank you in advance!