Log Homes...

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Anyone (except Dennis, Drty, Ken) know anything about Log Homes ???

Is anyone a home designer or architect ???

Are there any experts on wood species ???

[BlueHUMMERH2]

They're cool houses! I'd love to have a log home. Though even the most earthy folks I know who have land with their own trees cut the logs in half and do a system with insulation between the inner and outer logs. They say the R-value of the logs isn't quite good enough. I think I read the R-value was 7 for some log homes. There is a plethora of information on the web. Check out custom cutters (some based in VT and other areas) for whole log homes, and the commercial prefabs which are DIY setups. Post and Beam homes are another of my favorites.

[H2 OHHH!]

Gooey Gaybob is a "Wood" expert. You should PM him.

[Agriv8r]

:jump:

[evldave]

I had looked into building a log home when I bought my property last year. I decided against it because of potential rot, mildew, mold, bugs. I talked w/some local builders and some people who had log homes around here and they had the same concerns (no one had any problems, but they were concerned about the potential issues). Any time you use non-processed wood, you run a risk, and I didn't want to deal with that.

The prices were cheaper than a custom-built home, but the amenities weren't as nice. Energy costs would be higher (try and find an inexpensive energy-star true log home). A good balance might be a pre-fab using log cuts instead of full logs, this makes the outside log and the inside regular drywall. Since this was my primary house, I decided regular custom-built home no logs. If it was a 2nd home, I'd go log and deal w/the potential issues/costs.

[DennisAJC]

I can make you a small log cabin model out of lincoln logs.

It'll take me a few sittings and a couple of bags of oatmeal fiber.

Send me your mailing address.

[h2co-pilot]

Log homes are built out of logs. I used to play with my older brother's Lincoln Logs. PM me.:D

[h2co-pilot]

JINX!!!:beerchug:

[DennisAJC]

CP and I will send you both our versions.:jump:

[HummerHippy]

Wow, how freakin timely is THIS question! I am going to look at a log home tonight. I know I have a lot to learn. I too am concerned with r-value and mold, rot, etc.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

I have done a lot of research about Log Homes and also went to a Log Home Show.

(IF) I do go log I think I want Cypress, which is mostly Heartwood or Ceder, requesting Heartwood. These are one of the most bug and mildew/rot resistant woods there are for homes. FYI solid logs be they round, d-cut or square cut have a VERY high R value.

Cost factor is about $120 to $150 sq ft (or higher) compared to Stick construction of about $100 sq ft.

The reason I asked is I want to learn more then is written above. Like everything in life when I talk to the manufactures they only give you their side so i'm looking for additional UNBIASED experience and expertise on the subject. I have attended seminars, purchased books, seen tv shows

AND

My mom lives a a 2 story 3100 sqft log home south of miami. I know a lot but want more info.

By the way "Limp Dicks" check this out...... :

www.lincolnlogs.com/buildingsystems (http://www.lincolnlogs.com/buildingsystems).


:beerchug: :dancingbanana:

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Wow, how freakin timely is THIS question! I am going to look at a log home tonight. I know I have a lot to learn. I too am concerned with r-value and mold, rot, etc.

Let me know if you want help...

RYD

[DennisAJC]

Diabeeeetus!
By the way "Limp Dicks" check this out...... :

www.lincolnlogs.com/buildingsystems (http://www.lincolnlogs.com/buildingsystems).


:beerchug: :dancingbanana:



Sweet!

[HummerHippy]

Let me know if you want help...

RYD

thanks :)

[dеiтайожни]

RYD - If I were you, I'd only use the centers of Californian Redwoods for the logs. As for weather protection, insulation, etc.. you can use mink hides. Of course if you want to do it wrong and want problems, don't listen to me.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

]Sweet[/COLOR]!

(i guess) as pictured not including property, turnkey would be $750000 to $1000000...

[KenP]

Go prefab. You'll have a better product in the end because of the climate control conditions. They can scribe logs better in the factory and get a superior fit.

They completely assemble the home at the factory, disassemble it and ship it to the job site where it's reassembled. Very fast.

The builder should know what wood is best for the environment you want to build in.

Oh wait, I'm not supposed to chime in.;)

[NewHummerGuy]

Not a log home but a timberframe. We just closed on this Friday May 11. I love this place and 30 yards to slopes. Its in Canaan Valley West Virginia at a ski resort called Timberline.

3 hrs door to door from our home in Northern VA.

[DennisAJC]

Not a log home but a timberframe. We just closed on this Friday May 11. I love this place and 30 yards to slopes. Its in Canaan Valley West Virginia at a ski resort called Timberline.

3 hrs door to door from our home in Northern VA.


Is he kissing it? Or suckling on the nipple?

[ROX]

I looked into building a log home (for reals). Obviously, the larger diameter logs have more R value, and in the pacific northwest, everyone recommended cedar because it resists rot(salt air and rain) and bugs. Cedar comes in about every size imaginable. I know in Arizona and warmer climates White Pine is a big favorite. Someone once recommended using a species of wood that is native to the area you're building in.

One of the main reasons we did not use logs in our construction is because the home itself is hard to appraise if you have to sell it. Since it was our primary residence, we decided to go with stick frame, cedar siding, and timber accents.

Another reason we did not use logs is because finding a builder that knows how much they settle, and how to install plumbing and windows with proper spacing was difficult. If the logs are not cut from dead standing timber, then they need to be dried out to help with the settling/shrinking problem.

Keep doing your homework. Home Time on Discovery Channel did a show on building a log home. Great info. Get all the log home magazines you can find and ask everyone you can think of.

Are you thinking of a prefab log home, or one that's put together on site? Alpine Log Homes in Hamilton, Montana has done beautiful things nationwide. Neville log homes, and Rocky Mtn. log homes. All located near Hamilton, Montana.

Good luck!

And on a more serious note, I bought g-damn lincoln logs thinking I'd make one before I built. :rant: I hate those things!

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Not a log home but a timberframe. We just closed on this Friday May 11. I love this place and 30 yards to slopes. Its in Canaan Valley West Virginia at a ski resort called Timberline.

3 hrs door to door from our home in Northern VA.

Very nice...

Still haven't ruled out timberframe. Would go with tongue & groove interior in stead of wallboard though.

nice pics...

[NewHummerGuy]

Is he kissing it? Or suckling on the nipple?

Kissing and suckling;)

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Go prefab. You'll have a better product in the end because of the climate control conditions. They can scribe logs better in the factory and get a superior fit.

They completely assemble the home at the factory, disassemble it and ship it to the job site where it's reassembled. Very fast.

The builder should know what wood is best for the environment you want to build in.

Oh wait, I'm not supposed to chime in.;)

this time its ok....

Yep looking at prefab also... nothing is being poo - pooed yet

[DRTYFN]

http://www.blueribbonbuilders.com/finehomes.aspx

[Huck BB62]

We had just about built one, but at the time the stacking crews were all busy and charging a mint so we passed. Kuhns Bros uses kiln dried. We were impressed by the half dozen or so that we visited. We looked a more log building material than a proctologist looks at aholes. One thing that ALL of the folks had to say about log homes that also changed our mind is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.

Turns out we put in a manufactured home. Love it to death. It's as efficient as a thermos bottle. We ordered it, customized it, and moved in within four months. My neighbor's been putting his log home together for TWO YEARS! I must say though, there's nothing quite as awesome as a nice log home (timberframes come close).

The logs work on thermal mass as much as they do R value. Get that wood heated up, and keep it warm.

Anyone that does build one, we heard this more than a few times, when your logs get cut, BUILD IT. The logs sit around they twist, check and make the construction a lot harder. All logs check and split all of them. They settle and move. If you love one that much, it'd be worth it, but the ride isn't free.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

We had just about built one, but at the time the stacking crews were all busy and charging a mint so we passed. Kuhns Bros uses kiln dried. We were impressed by the half dozen or so that we visited. We looked a more log building material than a proctologist looks at aholes. One thing that ALL of the folks had to say about log homes that also changed our mind is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.

Turns out we put in a manufactured home. Love it to death. It's as efficient as a thermos bottle. We ordered it, customized it, and moved in within four months. My neighbor's been putting his log home together for TWO YEARS! I must say though, there's nothing quite as awesome as a nice log home (timberframes come close).

The logs work on thermal mass as much as they do R value. Get that wood heated up, and keep it warm.

Anyone that does build one, we heard this more than a few times, when your logs get cut, BUILD IT. The logs sit around they twist, check and make the construction a lot harder. All logs check and split all of them. They settle and move. If you love one that much, it'd be worth it, but the ride isn't free.

HUCK,

Thanks for the info...

The more investigation I do the more unsure I am about Log Homes. The looks of course are wonderful but as you say the maintainence is looking very intense. With my rheumatoid arthritis climbing on ladders etc to rechink, pressure clean, patch checks etc etc may just be out of the question. I'm going to continue to do my homework since I have a couple of years yet.

[bparker]

fizzed

Log homes are built out of logs. I used to play with my older brother's Lincoln Log. PM me.:D

[MarineHawk]

Not a log home but a timberframe. We just closed on this Friday May 11. I love this place and 30 yards to slopes. Its in Canaan Valley West Virginia at a ski resort called Timberline.

3 hrs door to door from our home in Northern VA.

That's nice. Congrats!!

[h2co-pilot]

fizzed

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/fingers/fing26.gif

[SnakeH2]

HUCK,

Thanks for the info...

The more investigation I do the more unsure I am about Log Homes. The looks of course are wonderful but as you say the maintainence is looking very intense. With my rheumatoid arthritis climbing on ladders etc to rechink, pressure clean, patch checks etc etc may just be out of the question. I'm going to continue to do my homework since I have a couple of years yet.

ya sure about that??:p

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

ya sure about that??:p

I'm a COASTIE, gota stick around to rescue the world...

[H3 Alaska]

Built a 20x20 cabin with a 1/2 loft. On the road system but in the middle of friggen nowhere.

All Spruce (see Rox's comment of using native trees) 8" "D" logs.
Peeled them, and stacked 4 logs high the first summer.
Went ~8.5' high the second summer
Finished roof & upstairs 3rd year
Chinked the 4th year.

The thing is as tight as can be after all that drying and settling.

Would NEVER do it again.........it's either stick frame or get a construction loan and PAY someone to do it while I fish, tend the fire pit, and make sure my beer is iiiiiicccceeeee cold. :beerchug:

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Built a 20x20 cabin with a 1/2 loft. On the road system but in the middle of friggen nowhere.

All Spruce (see Rox's comment of using native trees) 8" "D" logs.
Peeled them, and stacked 4 logs high the first summer.
Went ~8.5' high the second summer
Finished roof & upstairs 3rd year
Chinked the 4th year.

The thing is as tight as can be after all that drying and settling.

Would NEVER do it again.........it's either stick frame or get a construction loan and PAY someone to do it while I fish, tend the fire pit, and make sure my beer is iiiiiicccceeeee cold. :beerchug:

I have discovered Amber Bock DRAFT ...

Boy it fits my TASTE PERFECTLY !!!

[KenP]

You could always go with milled logs using T&G jointing instead of chinking to reduce mainenance.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

You could always go with milled logs using T&G jointing instead of chinking to reduce mainenance.

Ken,

I've looked at every option out there. I know I want most everything on a single level, a basement with interior stairwell and an exterior access/bilco door. I want a partial loft with a 3rd bedroom/full bath. Most of the main level needs to be a vaulted ceiling (open beam) I want a detached 2 to 2 1/2 car garage with a connecting breezeway. The roof needs to be a minimum of a 8 / 12 pitch . I want cypress or heartwood ceder or redwood.

I have some floor plans and have tried a couple of times to upload them to this thread but everyone here knows my limits with the computer soooo...

The big thing in log homes is the method of sealing between the log layers. Of course each manufauturer claims theirs is the best and only way to go.

I think i'm going to attend another log home show this year either in Atlanta, Tampa or Orlando and then in October when I visit my property visit other owners in that area as well as manufacturers and builders.

RYD

[MarineHawk]

You could always go with milled logs using T&G jointing instead of chinking to reduce mainenance.

I think, in modern times, this is referred to as "asianing" to avoid offending anyone.

[ssgharkness020147]

I bought a log house about a year ago. Its half log and has been pretty efficiant over the last year, bear in mind my parents spend about 1K a month on natural gas to heat their home in the winter, so maybe my view of efficant is a bit scewed. ;) Other then the fact that they are a pain in the ass to maintain (did I mention mine needs to be stained), I have been very happy with it.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Having spent the majority of the last week pressure-washing and painting a deck, I must say that I think I like the way log homes look, but I wouldn't want the maintenance. I mean, the deck is maybe ~1,000 sq. ft. with all the sides, rails, fences, etc. and it's taken forever. I can't imagine doing a whole house! I'm even using a power painter, but it still takes a while, and the thing is messy, you get a lot of overspray, and it's spray pattern is not as predictable as I'd like. I convinced my mom to go with a solid color stain/paint so it will last a good 8 years (supposedly), and 20 years on siding/fences. But this eliminates that log home look of natural wood.... So might as well just build a nice post and beam house in my opinion, and get the look of a log home inside. Or just paint the thing with the acrylic latex, pick a neutral color and save yourself a lot of maintenance for a few years.