Foundation

**blane** · 05-09-2012, 05:50 AM

You can start stacking logs 18" above grade if you want to but I would prefer 3'. Mine is on piers 18" above grade, I wish I would have went higher.

**blane** · 05-09-2012, 05:52 AM

LHN, where did you find a photo of my trailer. You may cause people to covet the good life.

Originally Posted by loghousenut

I like the ICF walkout basement just fine. I can imagine it would be a pain in the bathroom to be living in it while building above it. I know it's been done but are you sure there's not a cheaper and easier way?

**BenB** · 05-09-2012, 06:38 AM

What originally was the primary appeal to me about LHBA and the way one builds is/was the sheer beauty and simplicity of the build - logs and maybe piers, maybe not.
It seems its mutated to almost McMansion process and ways of building.
That said - short and sweet is still out there for us with simpler minds I guess.

**WNYcabinplannin** · 05-09-2012, 07:03 AM

Nylhd- I used Logix ICFs. Love my basement- and it's worth every $. I did it bc the frost line being so low that pier blocks would've been HUGE, and it wasn't that much more $ to do the basement. Be aware though that if you have a slope sufficient for a walkout, that only the high side wall will be easily accessible. I thought I'd be able to use a lull to set my logs, but terrain wouldn't let me. I ended up using a crane. I got a great deal on logs so still got my log walls up within budget. My buddy Bill built near me on a basement, not walkout, on a flat site and got his similarly huge logs up with a one month lull rental

@benb: McMansions?? I think that's a stretch- most builds are 30x30s, and people are building what they can afford. Some know the fact that if you plan to resell, a 3 bdrm 2ba has most resale potential so it's smart to do so.
Don't want a big 'fancy' log home? Don't build one! Lotsa folks are doing 25x25. I don't think Skip's way has been diminished- but options and new techniques will come up as people try new things.

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**ny_log_home_dreamer** · 05-09-2012, 10:25 AM

What originally was the primary appeal to me about LHBA and the way one builds is/was the sheer beauty and simplicity of the build - logs and maybe piers, maybe not.
It seems its mutated to almost McMansion process and ways of building.
That said - short and sweet is still out there for us with simpler minds I guess.

McMansions are fine for some for others not so. I happen to be one of those, not so guys. But since I have to go 5' just to meet code for a frost while, what's another 3' to have additional living space. Maybe I won't go 30 x 30. Maybe I'll end up around 25 x 25. Right now I live comfortably in 1254 sq ft.

Blane and WNY, your got me ta thinkin' - maybe a better idea is to build on level grade. Come up 5' from the footers to meet the frost wall codes, go another 3 feet for at total of 8' with the basement to give me living space. Pour the 8' walls using ICF's. Back fill the grade to 5' and then I will have 3' above grade before I start setting logs. I could put some windows in the basement for light and use it that way.

I am fortunate enough to have lots of logs, well trees at this point available to me for the log walls. The the money saved there, maybe I will be able to rent a telehandler to set the logs.

Blane, did you set your logs with a telehandler or with a triples, comealongs, pulleys, etc.?

I am getting the impression from reading here that most people either hired, rented or purchased a telehandler and/or crane for setting the logs.

Please keep the feedback coming!! I am really enjoying this discussion!!