Store-bought lumber is cost prohibitive for many people. One good alternative for natural builders is using standing dead trees – trees that have been killed by insects or fire and are still standing. For best results, select trees that have been dead for only a few years. With some practice you’ll learn to identify sound timber that has little or no rot. The dead trees can be used in the round as posts and beams or milled into lumber. One key advantage is the logs have already dried naturally and are ready for use.
owner builder
Why Buy New When You Can Remodel the House You Are In?
“Kelly Hart has remodeled just about every structure known to man. Here he shows how he has made his new home more energy efficient, built on a greenhouse, and redirects rainwater to take care of his landscape plants.”
Best Places to Live with Minimal Building Codes: Washington County, MO
Comment from reader: “The county said no problem no building requirements. The environmental health officer in county seat was state inspector. He said no county restrictions but the state says you have to have a septic system – state supersedes county.” “Washington County is located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. … Read more
Couple builds earthbag home in rural Osage County, KS
“RURAL OSAGE COUNTY — When Keith Fouts was a child and camped with his grandparents on their Lake Pomona lot, he would play on a nearby stretch of property and dream of one day owning it.
Lenient Building Codes in Upstate NY
Great news for natural builders and homesteaders in New York — from Bill, one of our readers. Is it just me or does there seem to be a growing number of areas with more reasonable building requirements?
Building your own Straw Bale House – an interview with the Author
“When I was planning to build this house, the one thing I wanted but couldn’t find was a step by step, comprehensive series of photos showing the whole process. While building this house I ended up taking over 5,000 photos…and incorporated pics from every stage in the book so anyone else can use this as a basis…to see what’s involved, and to see options of what’s possible…before you start. This brief video is just a sampling of the whole book.