Building a log cabin in North Florida

[Toscha]

Hello from sunny Florida! It's actually cold and wet today. We hit 25 night before last...

My husband John and I have drawn up some preliminary plans for an A-frame using logs. 28 x 50 with a 30' x 6' offset on left side. A-frame height is around 30' - about 1500 including the loft.

What kind of timber is needed? I saw 17" logs in one of the articles but it did not mention what kind of tree. I would like to see if there is timber available in our area that would be suitable. We have cedar and cypress logs at a lumber mill about 40 miles from here. Shipping logs 2000 miles sounds expensive and scary.

Any tips or comments welcome...

Toscha

[Jimbob11]

Hi Toscha. Looks like we are neighbors. Well, in a week or so anyway. I will be moving back to Tallahassee shortly. I was wondering if you are planning to take the class or are familiar with the butt and pass method? I took the class in 2003 (I am working out a problem with my membership status. Seems they lost me so I don't have the cool LHBA logo to the left yet. Oh well)

Anyway, seems like cypress would be difficult to use (with the butt and pass method anyway). Heavy taper to it and it's usually not long enough, at least that's my recollection. I know a lot of people are using pine in that area. Not as cool as cedar or cypress but it is plentiful. Don't know much about cedar except that it looks and smells great. I didn't even know cedar grew in that area. Shows how much I know. Live most your life in Florida, learn nothing.

I am hoping to be building down there soon myself. Hopefully someone else will respond as well regarding your choice of wood. Someone who babbles less, educates more...

I wish you luck,
Jim

[Shark]

I believe the student home "Dale Family" was made with cedar, very cool looking house, seems to have some taper on the logs, but the smell would be great. Not to mention, cedar is naturally rot resistant.

[Jimbob11]

It's a nice house indeed. I doubt cedar will be in my budget. Finding logs that have fallen off trucks will more likely be my M.O. Getting debt free and secure is my goal so the first few that I build will be no frills. Solid, functional, saleable...For now I will have to live vicariously through others when it come to floorplans like that.

[Toscha]

Thanks Jim for the reply. I've got a call in to the local mill now. Wow, John and I might have to have you over for lunch once you get in town. Maybe you can give us some tips and take a look at our plans. Its a small world. Our home is currently on the market to sell but we are already in the process of buying some acreage out near Woodville for our log house.

I am totally uneducated in log construction. My dad does have some knowledge and hopefully he will be assisting us. Not sure if flying all the way to Washington is feasible. Maybe you can give us some pointers. We have not even considered a "kit" home. My dad is a master carpenter and would not be interested in that. Hopefully our dream home has a chance.

Toscha

[DavidC]

What county are you folks wanting to build in? Did the country require an engineers stamp? If so, how did that process go?

[JohnnyCoho]

Thanks Jim for the reply. I've got a call in to the local mill now. Wow, John and I might have to have you over for lunch once you get in town. Maybe you can give us some tips and take a look at our plans. Its a small world. Our home is currently on the market to sell but we are already in the process of buying some acreage out near Woodville for our log house.

I am totally uneducated in log construction. My dad does have some knowledge and hopefully he will be assisting us. Not sure if flying all the way to Washington is feasible. Maybe you can give us some pointers. We have not even considered a "kit" home. My dad is a master carpenter and would not be interested in that. Hopefully our dream home has a chance.

Toscha

Toscha,
Have your Dad take the class if he's gonna help ya build. I had a pretty good construction background like your Dad before I took the class, as a General Contractor with years of experience... But learned a TON when I did take the class! If you plan on doing most of the building of "Your Home" yourself, then you need to take the class... Trust me, you will be so far ahead of the game!! We are close to completion of our Log Home and I could not have done what we've been able to do using logs before taking the class. Show your Dad our Blog and see what he thinks.