Log cabin construction

[curly]

Log homes are wood , anybody that buys any kind of house with exposed wood can't be a person that sits back and believes a house will maintain itself. Even brick homes don't maintain themselves around the eaves where there is exposed wood...surely a log home or wood siding home needs proper maitenance. But they are purdy, ain't they....and shake roofs...I love them too.

So yes, log homes, wood-homes, shake roofs have to be looked after, but when they are looked after properly they will last a long, long time. Logs are irregularly shaped and there are a lot of potential places that water could sit and leak into, you will need to make sure that don't happen.

But it seems like most of the folks that frequent here are njot the kind of folks that would sit back and let a beautiful home rot down

Here is a link to the log end seal I use

Log End Seal

Here's a link to a good stain

Timber Tek UV

 

[curly]

Kurt, that's an awesome looking home. Those logs are huge and they look great. One thing I always thought about with a log home with big logs like that: If the termites, beetles and rot get hold of them it will take them a lot longer than anything else to give way. That's a lot of wood!

I also agree with you about end treatment, joints and stain. Those are key areas. And the good stains are pretty remarkable stuff. They penetrate well and keep a slightly oily feel for at least a year. But I'm just amazed that mine repels water like a waxed car after 5 years of full sun and weather. And if this is any measure (it may not be) but my logs, and even the 'log trim' siding covering the sill are in far better shape than the treated lumber the porch floor is made of.

Yeah, we just had a large pine tree fall on the back porch during a storm Saturday night. It may have tore the back porch off or smashed it pretty good, but it fell on a horizontal 12 inch log that was supported on either side by verticle 12 inch logs. It did punch 3 holes in the roof, shingles all the way
down to the tonge-n-grove on the inside of the porch. Luckily, I was sitting on the front porch watching the storm when it fell

BTW, we have a professional fisherman, Hank Parker that has a HUGE Southland log home down the road a bit from me. If you watch his fishing or hunting show you may get to see a glimpse of his cabin.

 

[pappy19]

I not only have a log home, but I live in a "log home only" subdivision in SW Idaho. I am also a life long forester to boot. Now that doesn't make me an egocentric log expert, but I do know a few things about my log home and things I would change even after years of experience in logging and knowing about log homes.

First and foremost, I would build my next log home out of cedar or cypress logs...nothing else. Those 2 species would be bug free with very few exceptions. Next, only a metal roof with no gutters, no shake, vinyl, fiberglass or asphalt shingles, period. All deck materials would be the "tech" variety, not wood, but made from reconstituted milk cartons or whatever, to look like wood. All foundations would be solid concrete, no blocks, period, with plenty of air ducks for cross air waves under the foundation.

Speaking of foundations, all cross members made from redwood 2X6's. Yeah, I know, they are super expensive. So if you don't care then use whatever; gluelams would be the next best.

If possible, use "instant on" hot water system; and solar backup. If you are really on top, place an underground water system under the foundation and always have a 24 hour 55 degree water circulation system, sorta like a heat pump setup. I saw one of these in Oregon a few years ago and it was amazing.

Just my take, hope it helps someone.

Pappy

 

[curly]

I would build my next log home out of cedar or cypress logs...nothing else. Those 2 species would be bug free with very few exceptions.
Pappy

Cedar is what I wanted...couldn't afford it though

Next, only a metal roof with no gutters, no shake, vinyl, fiberglass or asphalt shingles, period.
Pappy

We wanted a metal roof...couldn't afford it though

All deck materials would be the "tech" variety, not wood, but made from reconstituted milk cartons or whatever, to look like wood.
Pappy

I looked at those prices...couldn't afford it.

Speaking of foundations, all cross members made from redwood 2X6's. Yeah, I know, they are super expensive.

Pappy

Didn't even look at those, couldn't afford it

... roof with no gutters,...

Pappy

Well, we didn't get gutters

Yeah, that's gonna be a great, low maintenance log cabin, unfortunately I'd have to hit the lottery to build that. I'm gonna have to maintain what I got I guess.

But looks like you have a big advantage over the rest of us by both being in forestry and living around a bunch of other's who have log cabins. Ya'll can share your maintenance tips with each other.

That's a beautiful home you have there, how old is it in those pics?

 

[dmccarty]

Curly,

I think you have a cash flow problem.

You need to follow my daughters advice to me...

My youngest wants a horse. I am about to go off the deep end if I hear one more question about a horse. She is persistent she is. We told her that horses are expensive, take lots of money to keep and are lots of work.

One day after a long day at work I get home and the questions about getting a horse start as soon as I walk in the door. I get a bright idea!

In front of both kids I told them I would have to work longer ours for us to have money for a horse. And I would not get to see them much if I had to work for horse money. Ah HA! I figured this would nip the subject in the bud.

I then asked would they rather see have time with me or a horse.

The youngster that wants a horse said real loud and quick that I need to work more hours. Thankfully the other kid said she would rather spend time with me. The other daughter reminds me a couple times a week that I need to go cut down trees to make a pasture.

So maybe Curly just needs to work more hours.

You can join me on the Mule Train....

And we ain't the Mule Driver. We be the ones driven. The Mule Driver is this cute little blonde headed girl with a horse fixation.

Later,
Dan

 

[curly]

Dan,

I have a ten year old (today is her bday as a matter of fact) who talks a lot about horses too. But she knows, "We can't afford it".

And I already feel like a mule

 

[pappy19]

That's a beautiful home you have there, how old is it in those pics?[/QUOTE]


The actual picture was taken when it was 2 years old and now is 7 years old. Built for move-in in March 2001. Took about 11 months from beginning to end and built by an experienced log home builder. I wanted Engleman Spruce logs but at the time couldn't find any from a log supplier so we went with native standing dead Idaho white pine from Weippe, Idaho; New Pioneer Log Homes. Their logs were super and I have no issues with them at all. We used a product from Behr called Rawhide and it was horrible. We had to sue them to get our money back on the product as it pealed and mildewed terrible after only one year. We used Sickens (sp?) afterwards and it seems to work fine. That's the reason I would build with cedar or cypress if I ever did this again. The reason I wanted spruce to begin with was the R factor is greater with spruce than anything else. It is lighter and easier to work with but like all other pine/spruce wood, is prone to bugs and weather. I will say this about logs homes. I have seen old log structures that are over 100 years old out in the woods without ever having any type of sealant or paint that look weathered, but just fine. It may be that all the hoopla over varnish and stain on logs is just that, BS. I really believe that a good chink is as important as the finish. Some log home are grooved so that the manufacturer claims one doesn't really need any chink. I believe that no matter how kiln dried or air dried a log is, it will swell and shrink so that the cracks will eventually get a space to allow cold/hot air or bugs and I would chink both inside and out. That's what I did. Anyway, there's nothing like the comfort and homey feeling one gets from living in a log home, even with the added effort.

 

[jrepp]

gcp,

If you will be doing some of the construction yourself this website is a good resource for the DIY type person. DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Forum

 

[gcp]

jrepp, thank you for the link!!

 

[SkyPup]

We've lived in a Cypress Log home for over twelve years now and it has been more than great, in fact, it gets better every year!

My favorite Springer Spaniel, Amos, who is dead now but was the world's BEST duck, snipe, and dove retreiver, even made the Cover Page of Log Home Living Magazine!!!!

http://www.phossil.com/thom/Log Home Living.pdf