Any LHBA style homes in NE MN

[Mlkmn1]

We have been considering building a log home for a number of years and ran across the LHBA info this winter and have been gathering as much info from the website as possible and would now like to take the course, hopefully this fall if offered. We are located in NE MN and was wondering if there is anyone out there in NE MN that has taken the class and built with this method? If so and someone's willing we would like to check out a structure and see first hand what we have been reading about. I have a sawmill and had previously been considering building with logs squared on two sides but after more research this looks like a better way to go. Thanks

[rckclmbr428]

I have built some in Wisconsin and the UP, but please, for the live of everything holy, don't flat mill logs top and bottom and then stack them. There was a company near me that started doing that in the 80's, and they are rotting in record numbers. I have done a ton of restoration on that style of home, it's a bad, bad design.

[Mosseyme]

You are right where we were when we discovered LHBA in the nick of time. We had sawmill in hand all set up and a lot of 20' logs cut down ready to go on the mill to do 10" thick logs to stack and build our cabin. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. So thankful we found LHBA in time. Came home from class and started cutting down and racking 40' logs. Roof is on and nice big round logs looking good.

[Mlkmn1]

Yes, I am glad I found this method before I got any further down the road we were headed. It all seems to make good sense, the few things I am still trying to get a good feel for and would like to see are the corners and ridge pole support system.

[donjuedo]

The corner construction and ridge pole support ideas are simple and pretty easy to pick up from photos of student homes (see the gallery).

[sdart]

There is a build near Fergus Falls, not NE MN but if you're out that way. They will chime in, I'm sure, if they're willing to have a visit. Depending where you are though, the WI builds and even maybe the UP just might be closer!

[Mlkmn1]

Thanks for the info. Yes, WI would work too as we are up the north shore of Lake Superior.

[panderson03]

thanks for the shout-out Sara:)
hi there MLKMN1. we're building in north central MN in 56537 zip code.
:)

[Mlkmn1]

We are clear on the other side of MN in Cook Co., would be interested to hear how things go for you.

[panderson03]

:) happy to keep you in the loop.
we've finished the garage, got the cabin under roof and hope to have the envelope closed by winter!

[Mlkmn1]

Panderson03-How big is your planned foot print and how are you planning on heating it? Thanks

[panderson03]

our garage is 36x36 (main level and loft) and is heated with in floor radiant heat.
our cabin is 35x35 with a basement, main level and loft. we will heat it with in floor radiant heat and a wood burning stove (Blaze King) :)
I'm very sure we'll have no trouble keeping warm :)

[pietro]

our garage is 36x36 (main level and loft) and is heated with in floor radiant heat.
our cabin is 35x35 with a basement, main level and loft. we will heat it with in floor radiant heat and a wood burning stove (Blaze King) :)
I'm very sure we'll have no trouble keeping warm :)

Is your floor a poured concrete slab?

[panderson03]

it is.
5" thick :)

[Mlkmn1]

That is what we have been considering too, radiant in slab in basement and under floor between trusses on main floor. With reading I have been doing I am wondering if it will be able to keep up on colder days during winter.

[panderson03]

hey there Mlkmn1. I too wondered if the radiant slab in the basement would be able to heat our whole 3 story ( basement, main, loft) cabin so we are planning on the Blazeking for the main floor. with the blazeking I'm sure we'll have no trouble at all:)

[rreidnauer]

While I don't have plans for radiant in the basement, I will likely lay the tubing before pouring the floor if the cost is negligible. Easier now, than if I change my mind later.

[Mlkmn1]

Have been considering similar setup recently. Was planning on a wood or gas fireplace insert but have now been leaning towards a Vermont castings encore to supplement heat if needed and if power goes down for an extended period.

[panderson03]

makes sense. we're going with the blazeking though since one burn can last 48 hours and because it has thermostat. I like that I can be able to set it to a particular temp and that it will adjust burn rate to accommodate:) :)
Vermont's are beautiful though!!

[Mlkmn1]

What are you using for logs, red pine? Any trouble finding them on the edge of the prairie?

[BoFuller]

makes sense. we're going with the blazeking though since one burn can last 48 hours and because it has thermostat. I like that I can be able to set it to a particular temp and that it will adjust burn rate to accommodate:) :)
Vermont's are beautiful though!!

We love our BlazeKing!

[panderson03]

:) glad to hear it! what model did you choose, Bo? Princess or King? we're still undecided.
do you find it heats the place well? is your place ever chilly? how long does it take to warm up the cabin from cold?
:) thanks for the info. cannot wait to get into our build:) :)

[loghousenut]

A thousand years ago, when I lived in Washington, I worked at a foundry and had a side business cutting firewood with one of the guys I worked with. We did firewood and all kinds of other little side jobs to earn an extra dollar. The foundry was going through a rough time and only ran every other week so we worked four 10 hour days and then had a ten day weekend (do the math, Bo). We had a lot of free time to scheme for side jobs.

One of the guys drew up a flier for a wood stove that he said we oughta build and sell. it was the "Smith n Burpee Genuine Wood Heating Stove". Had a pretty good drawing of a stove made out of wood and nailed together. The tag line was "Guaranteed to burn 8 hours". He printed a bunch of copies of the fliers and the guys nailed them all over the town of Sultan and Monroe.

Yes, it had my phone number on it.

[rreidnauer]

:) glad to hear it! what model did you choose, Bo? Princess or King? we're still undecided.
do you find it heats the place well? is your place ever chilly? how long does it take to warm up the cabin from cold?
:) thanks for the info. cannot wait to get into our build:) :)
I'm curious as well. And if it's the king model, how long does it realistically run between loads. 40 hours sounds ridiculously long, but if I can reasonably get 24 hrs, I will be thrilled.

[BoFuller]

:) glad to hear it! what model did you choose, Bo? Princess or King? we're still undecided.
do you find it heats the place well? is your place ever chilly? how long does it take to warm up the cabin from cold?
:) thanks for the info. cannot wait to get into our build:) :)

We got a Princess. It's more than adequate. It heats the place up quickly when we arrive in the cold. We are never chilly, usually too warm. Upstairs gets a bit warmer than down so we sleep with a window open, even when in the 20's.

[BoFuller]

I'm curious as well. And if it's the king model, how long does it realistically run between loads. 40 hours sounds ridiculously long, but if I can reasonably get 24 hrs, I will be thrilled.

I've gotten 30 hours but not 40.

[panderson03]

Bo that is FANTASTIC!!!!!
thanks for the info

[dgrover13]

You are right where we were when we discovered LHBA in the nick of time. We had sawmill in hand all set up and a lot of 20' logs cut down ready to go on the mill to do 10" thick logs to stack and build our cabin. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. So thankful we found LHBA in time. Came home from class and started cutting down and racking 40' logs. Roof is on and nice big round logs looking good.

I am located in the Twin Cities - and planning a build less than 2 hours from Minneapolis - into Northwestern WI.

I am very interested in checking out any LHBA builds in the area - before I actually start building myself. I am taking the class as soon as I am ready.

I was hunting on my best friends 80(acre) - and saw for-sale sign on a 5 acre parcel on a small lake - less than a mile from the 80. Thats when I started looking into all this over the winter and realized that it is possible to build our own retreat without the cost of a full mortgage.

We just closed on the land a few days ago!!!!! We are on our way!

However I am going to plan the build out over the next two years (save up some cash) and in the meantime get the land ready. Need to clear the build site and build an access driveway.

This has become a very personal adventure. My friend who owns the 80, his mother is battling terminal cancer (diagnosed a few months ago). They are building a cabin on the 80 for her to live out her days. Unfortunatley - they don't have time to do an LHBA build. But they are starting this spring.

Anyways - who is in WI or MN?

[thehatcher1]

:) happy to keep you in the loop.
we've finished the garage, got the cabin under roof and hope to have the envelope closed by winter!
Hello, my wife and I have been looking in to building our own log home as well. I just recently came across the butt and pass method. We live in the 55927 area of MN and we're hoping we could find a build site of the same methods?