Coppiced wood has all sorts of practical uses for natural builders – sustainable fuel source, pole building, wattle and daub, pinning, braces, latilla ceilings and more. “Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management which takes advantage of the fact that many trees make new growth from the stump or roots if cut down. In … Read more
“I PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT! Global Warming Equals Increasing Fire Danger Build a Durable Fire resistant Structure Fire Resistant Roofing Fire Resistant Decking Maintain a Defensible Space II LESSONS FROM THE 1993 LAGUNA BEACH FIRE – WHAT SURVIVED? – Many if not most homes burned from the inside out (fire storm heat ignited interior curtains, etc) … Read more
Extra storage space always seems to come in handy. Built-in shelving helps organize and store your books and other belongings in a way that adds warmth and character to your home. Built-in shelving is a sign of a well-built home. Lower quality homes, in contrast, typically have bare walls with few or no built-in amenities. … Read more
One of the best benefits of doing this blog is having the opportunity to network with other natural builders. Loads (thousands of people) send us info on their projects, ask questions and share their ideas. Some of the best ideas you see on our blog have come about through this brainstorming process. We share them … Read more
Zafra, one of our readers, suggested this topic on furniture made with tree stumps and tree trunks. This ultra low cost, all natural furniture is made with logging wastes. Logging companies take all the biggest, straightest pieces and leave behind large volumes of scrap wood. With a little imagination and some time, thrifty scavengers can … Read more
Here are a few facts gleaned from Low Cost Pole Building Construction, by Ralph Wolfe and Practical Pole Building Construction, by Leigh Seddon. – Adaptable to steep terrain, rocky soils, marshes, beaches, earthquake and hurricane zones. For instance, you can save a lot of money by building on low cost hillsides. – Meets building codes … Read more