The square shape would collapse in a nano-second. Now try the same with a square shape of similar material as say a plastic cup. Will it collapse? Probably not, because of the natural strength of a cylinder. Why is this you ask? Try this experiment. Most cordwood homes are built in a “circle” to take advantage of increase interior floor space, and then framing of the walls with additional beams (with the exception of the roof) is almost unnecessary. If small logs are kept round instead of being split the house looks even more like stone when completed. Imagine the finished wall looking (from a distance) like a wall of stone where you can see the mortar joints. The difference is that you lay two rows of mortar and a row of sawdust in between. The walls are then made by laying these short, split logs width-wise, just as you would stack firewood. You build the walls by taking cordwood, that is wood that is split for typical firewood use. Looking for a way to build the home of your dreams on a shoestring? Looking to save money on energy bills using thermal mass? Ever hear of cordwood masonry?Ĭordwood masonry is a very old building style. They are usually off the grid, which means away from utility providers so water and power collection systems are often included which makes the home completely self-sufficient within no utility payments whatsoever, now that’s the ultimate in energy saving! In addition, most earthships are located in very remote areas where land is very inexpensive and easy to come by. It’s an amazing system and not to mention a wonderful way to recycle old tires. Typically you’ll find earthships in the western part of the united states where the daytime temperatures soar! The thermal mass of the earthship walls keep the interior of the home cool and in the evening when the desert temperature drops that walls start to release the daytime heat slowly back into the home. The walls are then finished with an adobe mixture that makes then aesthetically beautiful.

The thickness of this wall also creates a tremendous amount of thermal mass that controls the interior temperature of the home. Making for a wall that is so strong it’s almost bomb proof. When each of these tires are filled with earth they naturally interlock. Then the second row of tires is started on top of the first row in an alternate stacking fashion. This dirt is usually taken from the site, preferable a hill that was excavated to make way for the home. We’re talking a number of wheelbarrows full. Each tire is filled with dirt and tamped down to pack the earth in as tightly as possible. Yes, tires! The first row of tires laid flat, are placed on the ground to form the base of a wall. An earthship is a home, constructed almost entirely of old tires.

Another word for saving energy