slipform stone masonry - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jordan G · #1 12-05-2007, 08:07 AM

Anyone here have any experience with this? Being the eclectic group that it is.....and after reading Hattie's modular thread and the Bucky dome thread from several weeks ago - I thought I'd throw it out there.

http://www.hollowtop.com/cls_html/masonry.htm

Basically it involves building the typical concrete wall form, lining the outer face with stone.....and pouring a reinforced wythe on the inside. Just move the forms up as you go. You'd get straight, true walls - relatively quick and don't need the specific skills of a stone-mason. At least, this is what I've gathered.

Here's the story behind it all- admittedly half-baked in my head right now. My mother-in-law is a widow, currently living on 5+ acres of prime woodland in a highly desirable area of Lancaster County, PA. It's a partially restored log home (updated HVAC, central vac, new well, etc.), beautiful orchard, great soil, bounded by the town's reservoir/watershed - so no neighboring development looming, etc. Frankly, it's WAY too much for her to care for by herself and she's close to retirement age. She's indicated the possibility of building a "cabin kit" type home on the back corner of her lot - and letting my family (wife and 3 girls) move into the log home. I currently live in a town house with 3 bedrooms - so this move would be symbiotic for both of us (she's a great lady - super laid back - I don't anticipate any MIL horror stories here).

So I've been tossing around ideas in my head......and I've always been itching to try something different like this. I'm thinking something small, rectangular footprint, 1 level - maybe 1500-2000 sq. ft? The durability, uniqueness, thermal qualities are quite appealing. She's a unique lady and I can't picture here in a little home with vinyl siding.

Obviously - time/labor would be the biggest issue here. I don't have loads of free time in my schedule (Benz takes all that) and I can envision this job taking years for a quasi-DIY'er.

So my long-winded question is this - has anybody seen/tried it before? Even maybe for a retaining wall or something?