Log Homes

[Chop Shop]

Any of you guys live in a log house?

If so, did you build it? Buy it? Have it built? Like it? Hate it? Have to maintain it? How big? 1 or 2 stories? etc. Pros and Cons pleas.

Whatya know? Spill the beans.

Looking to build one.

 

[cody c]

They are nice, though the price usually reflects that.

The R value is comparable or better than the standard stick frame depending on log size.

They have a lot of heat mass, so take a while longer to heat up, and take a while longer to cool down.

Apparently they will fair alot better in an earthquake than standard construction.

Here is a link to a friends dad's company: Harrison Log Homes
Brian does very nice work, and his son still works for him occasionaly. I actually did a little bit of work for him when I was a kid.
Brian also shipps stuff to the states, they sent some stuff to California last time I talked to him.

 

[Jetboy]

Pros: nice looking, sturdy, ?

Cons:

High maintenance, chinking, staining, sealing etc.

Bugs: insects are generally a part of life with log homes. Lots of places to hide.

Settling and expansion/contraction: log homes are constantly moving as the logs swell so that needs to be considered when installing things like windows and doors.

Expensive.

Just some things to think about. I love log homes, but I probably wouldn't own one.

 

[haystax]

Pros - none come to mind

Cons -

Most labor intensive and slowest build process on the planet, hasn't evolved much in the last 500 years.

A crane is almost a requisite and gets very $$$$$ lifting single logs at a time.

Doweling and sealing end gaps at log joints is a PITA, so is driving a million lag bolts.

Shrinkage and settling are concerns over the life of the home. End grain tends to suck up moisture. Engineered logs pretty much require no chinking, just tons of Sikaflex during build process.

Running utilities is a bitch, no place to hide wiring or plumbing in exterior walls. Plumbing second floors is even more fun because you have to think about how the house will settle and put a strain on your pipes. PEX helps but DWV is still a bitch.

That has been my experience observing and helping a little on one project in the last year or so. I wouldn't think of doing a log home myself. A timberframe would be about the same money and ten times the value IMO. Can't report on the livability and heating/cooling as the people are living in the daylight basement and still working on interior upper floors. Going on 3 years as DIY'ers and I think the novelty has worn off.

Good luck!

 

[ToyotaDon]

My dad builds them and is a dealer for these guys: Log Cabin Homes and Commercial Buildings by Oregon Log Home Co.

They are hand-hewn, not kits like Real Log Homes. Every house is preassembled in their log yard, taken apart and labelled, then shipped/trucked to your site. A crane is usually the preferred method for assembly, but in flatter areas a large forklift can be used. The logs are predrilled for through-bolts, so no lags or spikes are required, and the bolts can be tightened later to account for settling.

You have many choices when it comes to log homes, research and figure out what look you prefer. There's hand-hewn or manufactured logs, with everything in between. There are different styles of each, with swedish cope, tongue & groove, flat on flat, etc.

Basically, you should sit down and talk with someone who knows the business, and at least understands how to account for shrinking and settling. A basic house can be built in about 6 months, so it's comparable to any other custom home. Then be prepared to perform the maintenance or pay someone to do it. No finish on the logs will last forever, they all get destroyed by weather eventually, so periodic refinishing is a must.

Hope I didn't ramble too much, hope that helps. If you need someone to contact let me know.

 

[Chop Shop]

Expensive?

The reason I am thinking of a log home is the cost.

I can build it myself and do it over time with lumber from the property or close by.
Just the sales tax on a lumber package is a bit of loot here in Washington. I can do everything but the foundation for cash with cheap or free materials from locals and off of craigslist.

Bugs? I have occupied exposed solid wood building before. You can see where the bugs are in a matter of days. Then kill them and relax.

In a stick built house you will find the bugs after something leads to a small sheetrock repair then you notice the inside of the wall infested. By that time they are living in the WHOLE house and need to be treated by pros.

Cranes? Like the ones the pioneers had?

 

[45Kevin]

My buddy id working on a log home. He been at for about 8 years. It is roof tight and he thinks he may be able to move in this summer.

He cut the logs about 15 years ago and de-barked them and let them dry. He bought a flat deck truck with a crane on it to make it easier. His logs have at least a 12" butt on them. The bottom few courses are more like 18".

Every log is scribed to the one it is sitting on, so no chinking.

The walls are about 10' high and a steep roof pitch will allow a generous second floor with several rooms.

He has put his heart and soul into it, but I fear the novelty has worn off and he may sell it once it is finished.

 

[splitshot]

We Love ours...

The wife and I with help from the neighbors built it. The only things we subbed was the concrete, drywall/unsulation and the hvac.
First several years of oiling the exterior are a pita, but once it gets to the saturation point it gets easier.

I drafted the plans, American Log Homes from Pueblo Co. fabricated the package and shipped it.

 

[Jetboy]

Expensive?

The reason I am thinking of a log home is the cost.

I can build it myself and do it over time with lumber from the property or close by.
Just the sales tax on a lumber package is a bit of loot here in Washington. I can do everything but the foundation for cash with cheap or free materials from locals and off of craigslist.

Bugs? I have occupied exposed solid wood building before. You can see where the bugs are in a matter of days. Then kill them and relax.

In a stick built house you will find the bugs after something leads to a small sheetrock repair then you notice the inside of the wall infested. By that time they are living in the WHOLE house and need to be treated by pros.

Cranes? Like the ones the pioneers had?

Are you planning to set up your own lumber mill to mill your own trees?

Bugs will come and go basically at will. Log homes are not usually "bug tight". Sure you can fumigate the house with pesticides every few months, but I wouldn't want to live in that environment. I'm not sure that's a deal breaker. Every house has some bugs. Just something to think about.

As far as termites and such, it depends where you live. In the north west, they can't survive the winters, so there really is no such thing as termite problems. I live in a full masonry house (no wood framing in any exterior wall) so I'm pretty well protected from insect damage, although if I were to build new I wouldn't even consider brick on brick construction, but the neighborhood I wanted to live in has 50's brick so 50's brick is what I have.

 

[Chop Shop]

As far as termites and such, it depends where you live. In the north west, they can't survive the winters, so there really is no such thing as termite problems. I live in a full masonry house (no wood framing in any exterior wall) so I'm pretty well protected from insect damage, although if I were to build new I wouldn't even consider brick on brick construction, but the neighborhood I wanted to live in has 50's brick so 50's brick is what I have.

I have access to a mill for cheap/trade.

Termites thrive in the Puget sound/NW area.
The last building I rented that was all solid wood beams and ruffcutt roof sheeting was built in the 20s. I could wipe the sawdust off my press every night and it would be a 3 inch tall cone of dust again by morning time. They loved them old grown beams.

We deffinately have termite problems.

About 2 months ago I was standing out in the driveway BSing with a friend and we noticed the birds going crazy, diving all over in front. We walked over to what was wackin the birds out and found a small hole in the ground with termites jamming out of it one at a time like stormtroopers leaving the base. Every 6 inches there was termite coming out. It looked like a dotted line going into the sky. The birds were grabbin them up as fast as they could get in the air. Like a termite buffet for the birds.


I still think a log has less places for bugs to hide compared to a hollow walled stick built with lots of dead space inside, above and under walls.

THe bugs dont bother me.

 

[Jetboy]

I have access to a mill for cheap/trade.

Termites thrive in the Puget sound/NW area.
The last building I rented that was all solid wood beams and ruffcutt roof sheeting was built in the 20s. I could wipe the sawdust off my press every night and it would be a 3 inch tall cone of dust again by morning time. They loved them old grown beams.

We deffinately have termite problems.

About 2 months ago I was standing out in the driveway BSing with a friend and we noticed the birds going crazy, diving all over in front. We walked over to what was wackin the birds out and found a small hole in the ground with termites jamming out of it one at a time like stormtroopers leaving the base. Every 6 inches there was termite coming out. It looked like a dotted line going into the sky. The birds were grabbin them up as fast as they could get in the air. Like a termite buffet for the birds.


I still think a log has less places for bugs to hide compared to a hollow walled stick built with lots of dead space inside, above and under walls.

THe bugs dont bother me.

Well, if you go that far north and west... I was thinking possibly you were in the south. I'm really thinking northern central rockies, Montana, Idaho, Colo., Utah. The problems my friends with log homes have had was mostly flies and ants. Flies being the worst. Not sure what it is, but Montana seems to have more than it's fair share of flies in the summer.

If you can mill your own lumber, I don't think you could build much cheaper than that. You still might consider timber framing with your own trees if speed is an issue.

 

[PAToyota]

The R value is comparable or better than the standard stick frame depending on log size.

I'd debate that. Granted, I've seen stick built done poorly that couldn't keep the drafts out. But the nature of log home construction allows the possibility of a lot of gaps for air infiltration - then add in the expansion and contraction both from temperature as well as moisture level of the wood.

 

[Chop Shop]

If you can mill your own lumber, I don't think you could build much cheaper than that. You still might consider timber framing with your own trees if speed is an issue.

I cant build any structure here in washinton with ungraded, non cured dimensional lumber. Its code. Im pretty sure I can use milled lumber on the flooring and deck and interior walls and trim work.

I am having a hard time finding local codes and rules tho.

 

[Chop Shop]

I'd debate that. Granted, I've seen stick built done poorly that couldn't keep the drafts out. But the nature of log home construction allows the possibility of a lot of gaps for air infiltration - then add in the expansion and contraction both from temperature as well as moisture level of the wood.

It goes both ways.

A poorly insulated and built stick built home is just as bad as a poorly built and poorly chinked log home.

A stick built home built and maintained properly has no heating advantage over a properly built and chinked log home.


Logs stay warmer longer and cooler longer tho.

Even a crappy built, poorly insulated, bug infested log home is better than my moldy leaky singlewide.

I plan to build a well built, well insulated, bug free log home tho.

 

[Chop Shop]

We Love ours...

The wife and I with help from the neighbors built it. The only things we subbed was the concrete, drywall/unsulation and the hvac.
First several years of oiling the exterior are a pita, but once it gets to the saturation point it gets easier.

I drafted the plans, American Log Homes from Pueblo Co. fabricated the package and shipped it.

Thats a nice looking place.

Its funny how a person that lives in a log home has a completely different and positive attitude toward log construction as compared to the toothpick house dwellers that have no use for a log.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

I've built milled log buildings. Simple ones. Easy, cheap.

I'm about to build a log building going the handcrafted route using timber from the property we are buying. Mostly for the reasons you mention: being able to essentially put that much equity into it myself is a HUGE bonus, plus I love thermal mass. It's cold here, but pretty sunny. Thermal mass is my friend. As long as it's well built, I'm not in the least bit worried about the insulation issue.

Also, they are gorgeous, and substantial. I hate the feel of sheetrock walls, they are just so flimsy IMHO.

Dan

 

[splitshot]

X2 on the thermal mass...

Just a good choice for the hight desert areas here in the Southwest. Cool in the summer and retains the heat when winter arrives. Most of the other homes here are stick built/stucco and the owners complain about heating/cooling cost.

 

[2020 Rocks]

Cordwood Construction

Check out the links below or google cordwood contruction or stovewood construction. I've always thought it would be cool to build one as a home or even as a hunting cabin.

YouTube - ‪How I Built Our Cordwood/Stackwall Cottage - Part 1 of 2‬‏
YouTube - ‪How I Built Our Cordwood / Stackwall Cottage 2 of 2‬‏
YouTube - ‪Stackwall/Cordwood Cottage Interior‬‏

 

[ToyotaDon]

I'll repeat what others have said, the mill availability is a bonus. You can have the logs milled flat on top and bottom, still keeping most of the curvature and taper that makes each log unique. Then when you stack them, matching the butt ends to the tips will keep the whole thing level. An upright spline between the logs would help to make them more airtight, possibly eliminating the need for chinking.

Look carefully at notching methods, such as always using an upside-down U, never making a spot for water to pool and rot the wood. Most builders shape the corner section of the lower log to make the notch more uniform, something like this: / \ . A good scribe is a must, when my dad first started, he had one made for himself with double levels and several adjustment points.

Try to find a builder in your area who can give you pointers that would be more hands-on, or could draw you pictures. If you are able to get down to Maupin, OR, the company I linked to before has some real logsmiths working for them..

Another question, are you planning to hand peel all the logs? You can build some muscles using a drawknife, or invest in a curved-bed planer from Makita.

 

[cody c]

There is some big differences between log homes, and well built log homes.

The link I mentioned builts the latter. They use logs without hardly any twist in them, and if they have checks, they use them so the checks are milled or notched over the one above or below. Brians work makes it hard to get a razor between the logs, anywhere. Ive seen other log homes that are a joke and a bad represntation of log home building. I know people who are/were building that tyoe of home as well. Of course, you get what you pay for quite often.

Id say that if you think you are going to save money and build a place of log construction on the cheap, let us know how it works out for you.