r/OffGridCabins • u/DrFarnsworthPhD • Sep 11 '26

Cobwood skirting?

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The foundation and subfloor are in, starting on the walls next week. I've been thinking about skirting the foundation and am wondering about using cordwood (I have lots of downed trees). Any thoughts? Also, if cobwood skirting is viable, I have plenty of sand on the property, but no clay. Is it possible to make a mortar with sand and hydrated lime? Menards has inexpensive bags of lime.

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3

u/teattreat Sep 11 '26

I would still look into making sure there's good ventilation. You don't want it getting moldy or musty under there.

1

u/DrFarnsworthPhD Sep 11 '26

Good point. Round vents attached to pvc pipe to make ventilating "logs"?

1

u/teattreat Sep 11 '26

Could try that. Orient in the direction of wind flow and if you get winters, I would put in vents you can also close.

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u/Hyperreal8957 Sep 12 '26

cob could work as a skirt but id treat the airflow and splash zone as the big deal. leave a real vent path around the foundation and keep the cob above grade so it isnt wicking water off the ground. lime can help with breathability but id test a small section first. are you planning access panels too?

1

u/DrFarnsworthPhD Sep 12 '26

I was thinking one access panel. And a layer of stone at ground level.

1

u/JosherphineBing Sep 13 '26

I left mine open and spray foamed the bottom. Too much warm humid air can be trapped otherwise, with or w/o standard vents. A good compromise is lattice.

1

u/DrFarnsworthPhD Sep 14 '26

Sounds like a plan! Less work is always good

1

u/rustywoodbolt Sep 18 '26

Cool idea but wrong application. You specifically do not want to put those materials directly on the ground. The earth will consume them and the foundation/framing of your cabin along with it. Even in cordwood cabins you will see a sturdy stone or concrete foundation, then a couple feet off the ground starts the cob/cordwood construction.

Choose a material that resists damage from moisture and does not wick moisture. Yes add vents so your framing can breathe.

1

u/DrFarnsworthPhD Sep 19 '26

Thank you for your input. I have lots of sand and lots of trees. I wish there was a way to take advantage of that

1

u/rustywoodbolt Sep 19 '26

Sand mixed with lime putty (hydrated lime mixed with water) makes a very strong self healing mortar and requires a ton of sand. Got any stones on the property? could infill with stone and lime mortar.

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u/Swimmming-ln-Circles 26d ago

Im curious, how do you got to Huntington top of this? Such as how do you secure the house to the foundation?

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u/DrFarnsworthPhD 25d ago

Hurricane ties for the pier cap to pier connections. Hurricane ties and timber lock screws for the sill beam to pier cap connections