Pros and Cons

[Butchrknif]

I have a piece of rec. property. In the Cascade Mts of Washinton. I am going to build a log home or a A frame home. Both of which I believe id be happy with. So its a pros and cons about logs verses lumber. We get a large amout of snow in the winter and I need to make the right choice for my property. Thanks

[loghousenut]

But you already know you want a log home. Welcome aboard and keep reading and looking at photos.

[dvb]

LOG Homes are cool!!
A-Frames are funny looking.

I lived in both in my youth (rented) and the log home was quieter inside, warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. That is why I am building a log house now.

[chadfortman]

Butchrknif my nebor bought one up here down street from me very well made from a x guy worked for smithsonia in dc.
All the wood was large like log home and the roof is 2 inches thick. I think the wood was imported from germany not shure on that. Hes got tung grove pine the floor.
The Sq footage bites its wast to built one becuse you lose sq footage with one. It big on the outside but like the kebler elfs live inside ahhaha. It got one bathroom and one bedroom.
They had hard time reshingle the roof also it was built on rock gathered on the property that neat but wouldnt pass code today so its grandfathered in. When the guy bought the place only thing lived in were snakes and bugs.
A frams are easy build but wast of allot wood. If you need build something supper fast and no zone people there easy throw up fast. But you want Sq footage and want something with space i go for the cabin any day.

[rocklock]

An A frame generally means a loft or why put all that money in the roof. I really am an advocate of basements... walk out if you have any slope at all. The reason is if you need to support the house you might as well make it useful and livable.
Is it possible to have both a log home and an "A" frame. I presume it is possible, but the lateral forces (of the roof) on a supporting log wall surely will need to be engineered. There is also a problem with light into the roof (A frames are generally very dark). I presume that sky lites would be a solution.
So, what might this hybrid log -timber framed thing look like... Four living levels, ICF basement (garage), log main floor, with an A frame (third) with timber frame cross ties making a forth floor - loft area. Not a home for old people that have trouble with stairs. Probably not something that would be built on a piece of rec. property.
So, not knowing were I was going when I started this thing, I guess I ended up with realizing that I would not build something that was both and try to figure out what I really wanted. Since I am building my log home, I guess you know where my sympathies lie. Be sure to check out my well shed. It is a 10 by 12 that could be easily expanded into a 20 by 20 with a loft.

[eallen66]

Can you tell me the specie of log you used on your home? Thanks.

ea

[rocklock]

EA;
I presume you are talking at me... If so, the vast majority of my logs are Douglas Fir. There are also white (or Noble) fir and hemlock, but damn few... Aren't they beautiful?

[2 cents]

i'll answer that...yes they are very pretty! DF are great :)

[eallen66]

rocklock,

Yes your logs are very nice. Where is your home located? Where did you get your logs? What length and diameter? I really like Douglas Fir, right now I'm in Texas. Not sure if that is where I will build, but seems like any place outside of Rocky Mtn states, I'll have to pay a lot to ship Douglas Fir.

eallen

[rocklock]

Location: Camano Island, Washington, about 60 miles north of Seattle.
23 from my land and 51 from a lumber mill in Darrington, Washington.
They have two piles of logs at the mill, mine were from the 10 and 11's pile. Several of my logs were 12's. They also have a pile of 12 and 13's. Note; when you talk to a lumber guy you only talk about the top of the log. Most were 40 footers in length. Generally we suggest that you build with what you have. I know of a member that built with great logs in Oklahoma. Believe me, when you peel a log, power wash it and then put two coats of stain on it - you really love the looks of your logs - regardless what they started out being.

[Jo D]

Rock I am looking for leads on logs; do you happen to remember the member’s name in Oklahoma with those great logs? I enjoy your non judgmental, wisdom filled postings.


Thanks <img alt="smiley" height="20" src="http://www.loghomebuilders.org/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/regular_smile.gif" style="width: 20px; height: 18px" title="smiley" width="20" />


Jo D

[jrdavis]

There website is listed in the students homes section also.

Here is the direct line --- http:// www DOT vernstreet DOT com / loghome.html
They have a great page.
JRD

[Vern Street]

Our logs are Eastern White Pine, which is pretty much all that is available in a reasonable proximity to us! We got ours from a logger at Birch Tree, MO, which is east Springfield. Good luck and thanks for the kind words!
Vern and Sara