{"id":43,"date":"2024-08-18T10:36:38","date_gmt":"2024-08-18T10:36:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finnhutte.timhowarth.co.uk\/finhutte\/about-us\/"},"modified":"2026-10-18T15:18:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T15:18:14","slug":"cabin-made-of-porridge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/finnhutte.timhowarth.co.uk\/finhutte\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Welcome to our journey into hempcrete and all other manner of self build adventures\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tA cabin made of porridge<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tHi, we're Tim and Uta, and we bought an East German A Frame finnh\u00fctte built in 1984 by a man with 2 left hands!<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our story \n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

We bought this A-frame hut in the South East corner of Germany near the Czech Republic just as the pandemic hit in February 2020. We had to wait 6 months before we could travel again and get out to our little hut in nature. We arrived full of expectation and hoped to just paint walls, install a new kitchen and update a few very outdated aspects, but our enthusiasm to get going soon came to a grinding halt when we discovered the entire roof was lined with asbestos plates. We had not been made aware of this by the seller so were somewhat peeved that we\u2019d bought a lovely woodland hut with a severe health risk attached.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"Front<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Front view<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Front<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Front view closer with all sorts of stuff from the previous owner<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"post<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

post box on the dirt track<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"North<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

North View<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"South<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

South view<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"view<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

view from the track<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"view<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

view from near the stream<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"View<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

View towards the other cabins<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Beginning<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Beginning to manage the wood<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Grass<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Grass management!<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Uncle<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Uncle Dietmar with a well deserved beer<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Looking<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Looking west from our land<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Autumn\"<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Autumn<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"First<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

First frost<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"First<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

First bit of snow<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Snow<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Snow and needles<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Cobweb<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Cobweb central<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Beautiful<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Beautiful trees<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Enzo<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Enzo the dog<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><\/section>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Break it to make it<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

We decided after much deliberation and advice from family, friends and experts to pull out all the asbestos plates form the inside. This was by far the easiest solution but it took allot of time and energy with taking the right precautions and finding out how to dispose of it responsibly.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"The<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

The old kitchen<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"East<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

East German pipework<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"PPE….\"<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

PPE….<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Pulling<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Pulling out the old cladding<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"PPE\"<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

PPE<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Decided<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Decided to spay the Plates with mixture of PVA & water<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Bare<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Bare asbestos plates<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Bare<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Bare asbestos plates<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Bare<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Bare asbestos plates<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Bare<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Bare asbestos plates<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Unexpected<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Unexpected visitors<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"An<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

An ants nest in the kitchen wall<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"40<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

40 year old roof boards<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"plates<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

plates ready to be stored in the garage<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"90<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

90 plus asbestos plates<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Stored<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Stored in the garage<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"40<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

40 year old roof boards in really good condition<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Container\"<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Container<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Container<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Container full of Asbestos, polystyrene and glass fibre insulation<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Bye<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Bye bye asbestos<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><\/section>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Velux window installation and preparing framework for new wooden windows and balcony door\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Summer of 2021 saw us invest in three Velux windows for the roof which were installed by our local friendly timber merchant and we also had new wooden windows and a sliding patio door made up and we prepared the internal framework to receive the new windows. Not as straightforward as I had imagined because the end walls of the cabin turned out not only to not be true or parallel to each other, but also not perpendicular to the floor. Another lesson learned and a need to find a solution!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"Velux<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Velux kitchen window exterior<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Velux<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Velux kitchen window interior<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Main<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Main living room Velux<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Bathroom<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Bathroom Velux window<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Frame<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Frame for North end Triangular window<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Trapezoid<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Trapezoid kitchen window with new framework for new windows<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"South<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

South end Framework for new window<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"North<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

North end framework for new window<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Ready<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Ready to install new larger triangular window<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Balcony<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Balcony window and door removed ready for new patio doors<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Exterior<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Exterior trapezoid new window<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"unexpected<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

unexpected level of finish from window installers<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"South<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

South facing new triangular window<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Patio<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Patio door arriving<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Exterior<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Exterior hole ready for ne patio door<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"South<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

South face triangular window with gaps<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Balcony<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Balcony door installed<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"internal<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

internal view of new patio door with emergency ‘weatherproofing’<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"unexpected<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

unexpected level of finish<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
\"Emergency<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Emergency weatherproofing<\/a><\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><\/section>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Eco here we come..<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

During this entire deconstruction process which amounted to several visits over many months, we also hit on the idea of making this into an eco home, a little retreat of natural loveliness. Years earlier I\u2019d come across Hempcrete and how amazing a product it was at insulating old buildings as well as new builds,\u00a0 <\/span>how it sequesters Co2 for it\u2019s entire lifespan, it\u2019s resistant to vermin and insects, it has thermal mass and it can\u2019t catch fire, to name a few of it\u2019s amazing properties.<\/p>

So in the early summer of 2022 we enlisted on a days Hempcrete workshop course in Sudbury Suffolk UK. The course is run by Guy Herbert of Shalco and together with his son Richard, they confidently and expertly guided us and a few other Hempcrete disciples through the many idiosyncrasies of working with precise amounts of hemp shiv, lime binder and water. They were thorough and answered all our seemingly difficult and anxious questions around installing this wet porridge like product from the inside of a an A frame hut and into a sloping roof.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Hempcrete as insulation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Hempcrete is a natural building material made from a mix of hemp fibers (from the hemp plant), lime, and water. Reasons to use hempcrete to retrofit your existing building<\/p>