American Civil War

[Joyce]

Looking for your advice. I have a concrete slab approx. 8' x 16' and want to put up a log cabin for use as an attractive shed, with porch. I suppose the porch can sit on the dirt in front of the slab with something on the back (sitting on dirt) for the lawnmower. I want it in the style of an 1863 log cabin including putting in a cast iron stove (approx. 2.5' x 4'). Is this safe?

Where do I start? I live in Virginia.

Many thanks.

[rreidnauer]

Hello Joyce,

I hate to say "take the class" for someone building only a garden shed, (though, it seems to be a bit more, considering the stove and porch) but many questions would be answered by doing so. Building misconceptions can lead to pitfalls, and although this wouldn't be your home, it could lead to a deteriorating structure without a lot of ongoing preventive maintenance.

Alright, first, dirt (and the microbes in it) and dead wood don't mix, so building upon a slab close to the ground can eventually lead to rotting of the first (perhaps second) course of logs. How long before evidence of problems, you can't be certain, but it's better to try and limit chances of problems in the first place. I realize you wish to make use of the slab. So, it would be best to dig away the soil a few feet away from the slab, and replace with some clean landscaping stone. That should limit splashing of soil onto the logs during heavy downpours. Be sure to keep the stone clean of debris which could lead to possible microbe contamination once again. Your logs being so close to the ground makes them susceptible to termite infestation as well, so keep a sharp eye out for any signs of their existence.

Your porch posts will either require a footing of some sort, or the use of some old treated telephone poles placed directly in the ground.

Woodstove safety. Yes, it can be safe, but only if proper care is taken. Placing a non-combustible surface beneath the stove, care of maintaining a clean chimney, and not burning trash in it.

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And strictly an opinion of my own, I'm not sure which side you intended to put on the porch, but I'd do it along one of the 16 foot sides. It would make the building appear more square than long and skinny had the porch been on the 8 foot side, which would appear unorthodox for a 17th century structure.

[Klapton]

You could also pour a concrete wall about 18 inches high around the perimeter (minus the door), and start stacking logs there. To keep the rustic look, do river rock or something over the new concrete. Rod is right -- if you want it to last, you need at least 18 inches between the dirt and your first course of logs. Large overhangs on the roof is also essential to longevity of a log structure.

[Joyce]

Thanks everyone. Yes, the porch would be on the long side of the structure. Currently, there is a wooden shed on a concrete slab that is eaten away at the bottom; I guess termites but I have also seen ants on a regular basis. So, there is probably already an infestation under and through any cracks in the concrete. As such, is the area already compromised and unusable? What should I do? The rotting shed will need to be taken to the dump.

Perhaps it would be prudent to pour new concrete over top the old slab thereby raising the bottom of the structure and sealing any cracks, a roof overhang, and forget the porch. Surround the slab with something that will limit splashing moisture onto the structure's foundation as well as allowing good ventilation.

Any literature I can read up on? Any suggestions on where to look for plans/materials for such a shed? Thanks so much!

joyce/

[rreidnauer]

Ha, you have a perfect example of how rot and bugs love wood close to soil. I wouldn't give up on the slab so quick. Klapton's idea of building up a short stemwall (either poured concrete or concrete filled block) would be an excellent solution. (and as he said, put on a stone facade to make it appear period) Once the logs are far enough off the ground, you can reduce you worries of rot and bugs quite a bit, and probably wouldn't need an "anti-splash" solution any more.

The porch would actually be a good thing for additional wall protection, especially if you were to have it on the prevailing wind side. I wouldn't give up hope on it too quickly.

I'm sure there are plenty of books out there, on tackling self-built log homes, and I'm not entirely sure what style you're looking for, but for the most affordable with the lowest amount of skill, the LHBA chinked butt & pass method is hard to beat. Is this (http://loghomebuilders.org/files/images/log-homes-inside-corner-entryway-jc07.preview.jpg) what you be looking for? Or are you looking for something like full-scribed or square-cut dovetailed?

[Klapton]

Jerry Sargent, a 16-year-old who took the LHBA course built this immediately after (scroll down for the picture)

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/log-cabins-small-log-cabin-built-jerry