Trying to find a Landscape Timber Builder

[Justagirlkatie]

I am looking for a builder that can build from landscape timber and do not know where to start! I am in NC. Thanks!

[rckclmbr428]

You're looking to build a home out of landscape timbers?

[Justagirlkatie]

Yes, we have a piece of property that has plenty, and also lots of quartz we would like to use in building as well. Pretty much, we want to build from the land, and need a little guidance.

[donjuedo]

Landscape timbers have been milled to shape and treated with preservative. You say your property has plenty of landscape timbers. Are you really sure about that?

Maybe you have property with plenty of trees, yet to be cut down and used.

Here's my experience with such confusion of terminology. I went to a Rehau presentation a few years ago. The engineers are German, so English is not their first language, though they spoke well. Several times during the presentation, they kept referring to timber frame homes in the US, and toward the end, it finally dawned on me they did not mean "timber frame" as we mean it here. That has large timbers of wood forming a structural skeleton of the home, with other wall materials filling for insulation, etc. What the Germans meant by "timber frame" is what we call "stick frame" -- two by fours, typically, with sheetrock on the interior and plywood/OSB on the exterior, protected by siding or brick or something.

So you might be talking about trees, or you might be in the very unusual situation of getting land with a large stockpile of treated landscaping timbers normally used around gardens or sidewalks

:-)


Peter

[Justagirlkatie]

I meant trees! I googled a million things to come up with that terminology, but alas, I was still wrong lol. We do not want those preservatives, definitely not what I meant. Thanks for setting me straight! What would you call it then to mill and build off the land? I have googled so many word combinations and have nit come up with anything.

[donjuedo]

The technique used by forum members here involves no milling. The trees are cut down ("felled"), and the bark is peeled off. A borate preservative is applied and the logs are stacked as nature made them, cut to length, of course. The gallery photos show the results in detail, so you can get an idea of how rustic this is.


Peter

[allen84]

I think you made a turn in the right direction when you found this website. You would have been sorely disappointed if you found a builder to build you a landscape timber home :p Stick around and check out what LHBA is all about.

[Little Eagle]

You have a found a great site will a lot of great people.

[Justagirlkatie]

Awesome! That sounds more in tune with what we want to do. How do I find someone to help on site?

[loghousenut]

Why don't you build that log home yourself?

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[Justagirlkatie]

I do intend to build, my issue is that I need it done quicker than I could have it without help along with all of my other commitments. You`d better believe I am queen of the jobsite, though ;-)

I think with the timber available, and the quartz as well, that the intention is to mill it for thinner walls to conserve wood. Then we will reinforce it by other means. Does that make sense?

[Little Eagle]

In the words of the famous LHN (loghousenut) "take the class". I can promise you you will be glad you did. As for thinning down the log to conserve wood, you will find out why that is actually not necessary. It all makes since when you are sitting in the class room with so many other eager folks, wide eyed with wonder at the things your leaning questioning yourself with "why did i not find out all this sooner"

[Justagirlkatie]

I saw the class was in Las Vegas, and honestly, I do not see myself budgeting a trip to Vegas, I`ve never even been on a plane! Lol

The thing is, I do not think the trees are old enough. I could be wrong, but I do not think they are the material for that style of building. Maybe the next cabin?

[Little Eagle]

It all really depends, it took me three months to come up with the money to go to the class, and it was worth every cent. You find out tips and tricks in the class that can help in the long run. And some thing you find are just guide lines. Ah and btw if i had my choice i would have drove to vega's because i don't think are too much fun.

[Justagirlkatie]

If I went, I would probably drive depending on my car`s attitude at the time lol.

I think from what I am seeing and what I know of my resources, current skills, and skills of those who I already know can help, that timberframing is what I wish to do, more so than a legit "log cabin" at this point. In the future, I want a true log cabin, and will plan to take the class between now and then.

[Little Eagle]

Timber framing is also a beautiful home if it is done correct, i don't know much about it but have seen some of what has been posted here. We will always be here of course and any questions asked im sure will get met with answers from someone here.

[loghousenut]

I'm too darned old, fat, and lazy to build a timberframed house. Wish you the best.

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[mudflap]

If I went, I would probably drive depending on my car`s attitude at the time lol.

I think from what I am seeing and what I know of my resources, current skills, and skills of those who I already know can help, that timberframing is what I wish to do, more so than a legit "log cabin" at this point. In the future, I want a true log cabin, and will plan to take the class between now and then.
I looked into timber framing at one point- it definitely takes it's own type of highly skilled carpenter. It would take years to perfect- and they are beautiful homes.

The type we build takes no special skills, is at least twice to three times more energy efficient than most other types, and you can use hand tools to do it. You should check into it a little more.

I'm almost halfway to getting all the trees I need for my walls- and I'm harvesting them from my next door neighbor's property. You can use pine, spruce, fir, cedar, oak, poplar, etc, etc. And the eod doesn't have to be seasoned before use.

I'm telling you- I researched this for 15 years- it's the best and cheapest method of building your own home. And you can do it without a mortgage.

blog: https://loghomejourney.wordpress.com/
password: ABCD1234

[allen84]

I looked into timber framing at one point- it definitely takes it's own type of highly skilled carpenter. It would take years to perfect- and they are beautiful homes.

The type we build takes no special skills, is at least twice to three times more energy efficient than most other types, and you can use hand tools to do it. You should check into it a little more.

I'm almost halfway to getting all the trees I need for my walls- and I'm harvesting them from my next door neighbor's property. You can use pine, spruce, fir, cedar, oak, poplar, etc, etc. And the eod doesn't have to be seasoned before use.

I'm telling you- I researched this for 15 years- it's the best and cheapest method of building your own home. And you can do it without a mortgage.

blog: https://loghomejourney.wordpress.com/
password: ABCD1234

This. He nailed it except I don't know what an eod is... I think he meant to say, you can stack logs without seasoning or kiln drying them.

[mudflap]

This. He nailed it except I don't know what an eod is... I think he meant to say, you can stack logs without seasoning or kiln drying them.
*logs is correct... :)

blog: https://loghomejourney.wordpress.com/
password: ABCD1234

[Mosseyme]

Where are you in NC? We have a member right now that is building a beautiful home in Michigan with logs that are not all that big around. You might be surprised. If they are big enough to use squared up then they are bigger round and more thermal mass. We are currently building in WNC.

[allen84]

If they are big enough to use squared up then they are bigger round and more thermal mass.

Not to mention the time and money it takes to make a square that started out as a circle.

[Arrowman]

Not to mention the time and money it takes to make a square that started out as a circle.
I think 'Nut just starts pounding it into a square hole...

[Justagirlkatie]

I am south of Charlotte. The property is actually across the border in SC though. So if I go the "round log" way, where could I find local help/builders?

[allen84]

Friends, family, sometimes other members of LHBA will show up to help. There is at least one member who travels and builds. You could contract out different parts of the build and show them what needs to be done. If you take the class you will come away with all the knowledge you need. You will also be able to get full construction plans. And as has already been said, it doesn't take any special talents or fancy tools.... Just hard work and the desire to make it happen.

[blane]

I am looking for a builder that can build from landscape timber and do not know where to start! I am in NC. Thanks!
Where at in NC?

[ivanshayka]

I'm in MI. Im building with smaller logs they are everage 9.8 inches thick, 12" bottoms and 7" tops. The question is: would I split it in half to conserve the wood? The answer is: NEVER. It would not qualify as a log home. At that point u could call it log siding, and defeats the purpose of "Loghome" altogether.

Timber framing is a different story. If you gonna do it, that's awesome. It does take more skill than a loghome. Whatever appeals to your heart is what you should do. I, personally, would like to see you taking the class. We could always use another member.

[brien]

We're looking to do the same thing. We're in escrow to buy 7.5 acres in Northern California with hundreds of pine trees on the property. It's raw land that has never been developed and the trees look like they'd be plenty large enough.