Size of Logs

[InMN]

I'm wondering if the logs all have to be the same size in order to use the butt and pass method?

[edkemper]

However, the more the difference in size, the more work. The larger the diameter, the fewer levels.

[Mosseyme]

Check out the Hilltop Lodge in the students log cabins. One of my favorite. I personally love the cabins with a considerable difference in the size of the logs. Just more beautiful and showcase the logs more in my humble opinion. But probably much more difficult to put up a reasonable wall as Ed said.
But remember my taste in wood leans toward the wild and unusual. Not much interest in #1 no knots no grain oak here.

[melissahimes]

Speaking of log size, I'm assuming the larger the log the greater the insulating factor, correct? So...the colder the climate the larger diameter log you need...do they go over this in the class?

[ramblinman502]

is better : ). but they teach that in class too. esp. when were talking about RP envy. and i think LHN takes the cake for RP size. the larger the logs the more thermal mass. there are plenty of log homes up north made with smaller logs ( tho i think the larger ones look cooler ) build with what ya got gets said here a lot. we built with some pretty twisted n funky logs. made for a lot of notching when it came time to set rafters. but, i will say it looks pretty cool because of all the character the cabin has.

[StressMan79]

on R factor. this has been discussed at length, but R factor goes up in proportion to log diameter, but perhaps equally importantly, so does thermal mass, so you are effectively heating (and cooling) against more of an average daily temp rather than the max/min. This really increases efficiency of the shell. Anyway, the class will go over this, and the member's side goes over it alot.
-Peter

[edkemper]

Then when you go home with every question you didn't think of when in the class, you get to join the Member's side. Every itty bitty detail is on the member's side. We have those that can barely drive a nail to the rocket scientists. That is where the one that can't drive a nail learns how to do whatever they need to do. Then there's the physical help that is available from other members.
Nothing is left unanswered.