[Greenbuilding] gravel wall

[Stephen Collette]

Well I don't really have gravel in my wall, but a concrete sort of  
mix. 1880's here in Lakefield, ON, within the shadow of the cement  
plant. All the 2x4 constructed walls had concrete in the cavities.  
Even on the second floor. You know you have a crappy job when you are  
the guy with a bucket and shovel filling the wall cavities on the  
second floor with concrete.
Now I don't know for sure, but some people say that it went in dry  
and the moisture of the building turned it hard. An interesting  
thought to help with drying out, but who knows. It's heavy, it's  
solid and it's a serious thermal mass. It is pretty quiet in this  
little old storey and a half house though.

Stephen

Stephen Collette B.B.E.C
Principal

Your Healthy House
Indoor Environmental Inspections & Building Consulting
www.yourhealthyhouse.ca
stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca
705.652.5159


>
> I liked that article Mark, thanks for posting.
> It mentioned "gravel wall" construction in Wisconsin, which was  
> "superior"
> by some accounts to "unfired brick".
> I was wondering if anyone has read up on this?
> Basically, it was gravel and sand mixed with 1/8th lime, like  
> concrete.
>
> Below is a link to the electronic version of the book by Orson Squire
> Fowler, A Home for All The Gravel Wall and Octagon Method of Building.
> You need a University of Michigan ID to access, so hopefully  
> somebody out
> there might get use of this.  I hope to find the time soon to check  
> out the
> paper version,
>
> http://mirlyn.lib.umich.edu/F/ 
> IRF2JT4XEFXKN49DS26C3AHBBF78HSPGQMDCGER74D94SPI2C2-34572?func=full- 
> set-set&set_number=027848&set_entry=000013&format=999
>
> Adam