DIY Log Home

[jcook5003]

I was wondering if any of you guys had good resources for information on building your own log home.

The guy up the road from us built a vacation on his property by falling his own trees, allowing them to season, and notching and stacking them himself. It's truly a beautiful home.

I just cant seem to find a good resource. Any of you guys know how our forefathers built the homes I still see standing in the Appalachian mountains?

Thanks
Josh

 

[crusty 1]

Josh,there's many sights on the net choke full of info:thumbsupave

 

[beenthere]

jcook
Here is a blog about a guy and his son building a log home in n. MN. I've been following it and it is an interesting, and detailed account.

Peeling Logs

But don't get the idea that they last a long time. For all practical purposes, log homes were more 'temporary' than permanent. Cozy to some, yes. But maintenance free...not by a long shot.

 

[SBB]

Josh,
There are "schools" around the US and Canada where you can attend short sessions on building your own log home - from start to finish. Check out this website: DIY Log & Timberframe Building Schools

You might have to travel to get to one, but these classes are anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks. I haven't been to any but they look good (at least on line).

You might also check out: Log homes & log cabins from scratch - Don't buy kit log homes. This is the website of the Log Home Builders Association. There are some good references and class information on it.

Good luck on buildng your cabin.

 

[Egon]

Before you get real carried away just scribe and lay one log on top of another.

And then do a saddle notch.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Then go looking for courses.

 

[Redgoatea]

I live in a log home built by the previous owner 16 years ago. I LOVE this house. Yes it has maintenance just as any house does. But frankly ya just can't beat it for insulation. If you've got the time and resources I say give it a go.

 

[beenthere]

Insulation values are difficult to measure for logs. If the logs are fitted together or sawn flat (like D-shaped logs), then the R value for the thickness of that wood that is fitted can be figured. About average of 1 per inch. If the logs are stacked, and chinked, then whatever the chinking amounts to can be figured. Storing the heat in the mass of the logs is what makes them "feel" more comfortable, but a stud wall with insulation is apparently the higher R value. Getting the cabin up to temp. is sometimes a chore, and can take a few hours.

A US Dept. of Energy publication has this to say.

The R-Value of Wood
In a log home, the wood helps provide some insulation. Wood's thermal resistance or resistance to heat flow is measured by its R-value. The higher the R-value, the more thermal resistance.

The R-value for wood ranges between 1.41 per inch (2.54 cm) for most softwoods and 0.71 for most hardwoods. Ignoring the benefits of the thermal mass, a 6-inch (15.24 cm) thick log wall would have a clear-wall (a wall without windows or doors) R-value of just over 8.

Compared to a conventional wood stud wall [3½ inches (8.89 cm) insulation, sheathing, wallboard, a total of about R-14] the log wall is apparently a far inferior insulation system. Based only on this, log walls do not satisfy most building code energy standards. However, to what extent a log building interacts with its surroundings depends greatly on the climate. Because of the log's heat storage capability, its large mass may cause the walls to behave considerably better in some climates than in others.

Logs act like "thermal batteries" and can, under the right circumstances, store heat during the day and gradually release it at night. This generally increases the apparent R-value of a log by 0.1 per inch of thickness in mild, sunny climates that have a substantial temperature swing from day to night. Such climates generally exist in the Earth's temperate zones between the 15th and 40th parallels.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I know of 3 people who have built their own log home, from a kit. Some of the manufacturers have classes to teach you how.

 

[Redgoatea]

Beenthere- that's great math and I appreciate the reference but I still stand by my statement. My logs are approximately 18" non chinked with double paned windows and skylights all over the place and the house stays between 60-65 all summer (perfect for me). During the winter we burn in the small wood stove only and it keeps the house at 70-75 with the fire going for about 12 hours in a 24 hour period.

 

[jcook5003]

Thanks for the info guys. Maybe it's a pipe dream but we currently own a chinked log cabin with 8 acres and an MD barn as a rental property. We resided there while I was preparing our current property for our horses.

I loved the little cabin, it was cool in the summer, warm with a small woodstove in the winter, and just always felt "home like." The power bill was always around $65, not much considering. It was always constant between winter and summer too.

I just feel like with the abundance of wood available on our current 40 acre tract, and my handiness and contact in the contracting and construction world I dont see why we couldnt build a very nice for a very affordable price.

I realize price isnt the main driving force as it shouldnt be in my opinion, as these things always cost more than you think they should, but self buildng always lends itself to pay as you go more than traditional methods.

 

[beenthere]

Red
Not arguing with your statement...
Just pointing out that logs (solid wood) do not have a higher insulation R value per inch compared to conventional wall construction. That is a myth.

Would like to see pictures of your log cabin. That would be helpful to the thread and to others considering building from logs.

 

[KentT]

Red
Not arguing with your statement...
Just pointing out that logs (solid wood) do not have a higher insulation R value per inch compared to conventional wall construction. That is a myth.

Would like to see pictures of your log cabin. That would be helpful to the thread and to others considering building from logs.

The difference is in the thermal mass, not the "R value."

Calculations of R value do not measure nor even consider thermal mass. Log homes are slow to heat up and slow to cool down, in comparison to most other types of construction. Yet, they don't act like a "heat sink" that must additionally insulated, like concrete does....

This thermal mass results in less change between night and daytime temps inside the house, as shown in one example below. For example, in spring and fall seasons on sunny days, the log walls soak up heat during the day while it stays cooler inside, reducing the need for additional cooling. At night, they slowly release that heat to the inside air, reducing the need for additional heating.

 

[Redgoatea]

This is one side of my house. I love the way the corners were done. 7

 

[rjkobbeman]

Log homes are beautiful, and yours is no exception. Thanks for the pix.

How do you deal with rotting and termites and the sort? I would be nervous about my house crumbling over time!

 

[Redgoatea]

How do you deal with rotting and termites and the sort? I would be nervous about my house crumbling over time!

Most houses are made of wood. Wood is wood to termites as far as I'm aware. I don't think they care if you cut it into sticks and sheets or leave it whole.

You are supposed to seal the logs inside the house and out every few years to help preserve them but it's no more work than repainting a house would be. I also do a perimeter spray for the pests once a year but I've always done that in every house so no difference there either.

 

[scesnick]

I also have a log home and absolutely love it. I also always get the termite question and the high maint. question. As redgoatea said, wood is wood. I re stain my house once every 5 yrs or so. No big deal. it takes me about two days doing it by myself.
One of the things I like the best about our home is how quiet it is. it is very relaxing with and I can't hear what is goingon in the other rooms at all.
I also find that my house is very easy to heat also. Noit sure about the whole 'R" value and themal mass debate but I do know it is nice and toasty in my house in the winter and it doesn't cost all that much to heat compared to my friends houses.

 

[crazyal]

I've always loved the look of a real log cabin. In the end the cost was a little more than I wanted to spend so I ended up with a post and beam with foam panels. I may have opted to spend the money for log but the few places that sold them just didn't give the information I was looking for.

I'm a DIY type of person. The locals all wanted to sell me the logs and the installation too. So when I would ask about things like chinking and the best products to seal and how often they just gave vague answers. I think finding information now is easier. If I ever build a house again it will be a log and if possible I'll buy a portable sawmill to make my own lumber and because I like the look of the D shaped logs.

 

[Egon]

So when I would ask about things like chinking and the best products to seal and how often they just gave vague answers.

Probably because they were still looking for the solution!:thumbsup:

We built and lived in a log house for about 25 years. Lovely ambiance. Lots of thermal mass. No problem hanging pictures. Lots of potential leaks when the wind blew.

 

[crusty 1]

Josh,you could build like I did.Stud walls,insulated and sheeted with half log siding.Gives the [look] and well sealed and very easy to heatDave

 

[Redgoatea]

. Lots of potential leaks when the wind blew.

????? We get 70-90 mph winds here in the winter. Guess the original homebuilder planned for that. Not a draft anywhere. 7