02/04/2015: Yesterday, I received my #hemp calf fiber package and continued working on the #door project. The fiber feels as soft as angel hair, and I really enjoyed working with it. It’s an excellent material for environmentally friendly #sealing , perfectly suited for insulating doors and windows—no toxic construction foam needed at all!

Excursus Story of Calafataggio:
Caulking (calafaturation, calafataggio) is a waterproofing technique for wooden hulls, carried out by the master caulker (mastro calafato). It creates a joint between the planking boards that can withstand the sea and endure over time. In the past, the technique essentially consisted of inserting fibers—often hemp or tow—between the planks of the hull and impregnating them with pitch. Today, cotton or hemp is used, along with synthetic resins or tar. The process is performed manually using a wooden mallet, called a "calker's maul," and a special flat-tipped chisel, known as a "malabestia," which allows the fiber to be pushed into the seams (the connections between the planking boards) without cutting it.

#cellar #renovation #diy #craftmanship #greenbuilding #sustainability

12/03/2025: The first big #challenge was leveling the uneven #floor in two directions (12mm and 5mm) with a custom-made lower bottom rail crafted from arolla pine wood. My brother helped with measuring and making this custom piece—it would be expensive if we calculated it by the hour!

We first marked the cuts and used a Japanese saw, leaving a 3mm gap for later planing on the machine. On the side walls, I drilled three large holes on each side to set the frame anchors into the concrete later.

#cellar #door #custommade #handcrafted #renovation #diy