Short log/walls

[BenB]

This home is intriguing - I realize it's an adaptation of the LHBA way with the shorties but boy-makes the log issue easy for me here. I have large diameter shorts everywhere.
Anyone else do one like this?

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/image-galleries/studentloghomes/recentprojects20002010/alaska-log-home

[blane]

You use what you have. I am sure it would introduce its own challanges but if its been done before it can be done again.

[dazedandconfused]

I would say that it would decrease lifting devises needed although maybe more chicking but it looks pretty good to me, although that means nothing. :)

[BenB]

Yeah - the extra chinking thought came to me but I was thinking I might also pick up (or should I say lose some) if I was able to maybe use the better or straighter of the available logs. What I don't get is how they tie things into one another and if that would then create more issues for possible moisture to collect.
You both been thru the class - is this a manner they address also in it if you recall ?
It might the most pertinent thing for me if I use whats available. If I have logs hauled in it is a non-factor. What I am thinking of is a smaller home, more cabin sized like under 800sf on main and then loft. Thinking multiple structures that would be for guests or hobby space. No plans to heat them for a full winter of minus 30's - just the main cabin. With all the logs involved using on site stuff and the great zero cost of them is a great benefit to me.
I recall reading here somewhere in posts from yesterday matters on this and IIRC some felt the manner to be "wrong" - cannot locate the old thread so therein the questions being asked today.
Thanks for any help or comments

[edkemper]

You know, if it had long overhangs all around, why not? Use what you got and splurge on the roof. I can think of worse problems.

[dazedandconfused]

The matter is addressed in detail, there are different ways of thinking addressed as well, consider the class, I am looking at a cabin you are talking about with a half loft, and by the way they have plans available shortly after taking the class at a huge discount, so just for that reason alone it is worth it for sure.

[edkemper]

Funny thing, the class will answer all the questions you bring as well as the ones you haven't even thought of yet. What and how is what it's all about. Well that and an interesting name, thing. <smile>

[loghousenut]

Ben, You have such a head start. You want a log home and not a mansion. LHBA is right up your alley! Take the class and a ton of options will be discussed in a way that'll make them make sense to your brain.

[spiralsands]

The great thing about a 30x30 is that you can actually get more than 1800 sq ft out of it. You would have 900 sq ft on the base floor and a full second floor would give you another 900. A steep roof and a loft gives you more. A basement gives you even more. You can either make it one big room with 900 sq ft or a multi-room multi-floored spacious house. No weight bearing interior walls give you almost infinite choices.

[BenB]

Thanks to all for the feedback and info --- I hope to be able to pull off the last class this year yet but major conflicts abound so I suspect next year.I was hesitant due to thinking the short log may not be one that would be covered/addressed. Seemed I had read less than flattering things said in old posts...but it's a log used and logs likely can be adapted to dang near anything.
LHN - that's kinda my thinking,,,non-mansion sized per se. Right now I have about 3200 sf full of stuff I hardly use or know I have anymore. Nice stuff but part of the material colection past for me. I have been giving away things for the past couple months to family and friends and barely dented the things yet to go. I won't part with the antique stuff, nor old heirloom stuff. The rest --- Phase2 of my life is a comin' and no need. 2 laptops, 2 netbooks, 4 desktops.......try me and LOML as the only 2 users. hello ...............
I want the outer "cabins" for the friends and family if they visiting. Storage maybe too. Beyond that --- small and open open open. My needs are few, wants few too except space (land) and privacy from neighbors 200' away. Grew up in country - then family moved to city. I'm doing the full circle......and ready in almost all ways today to have at it.
Thanks all .... back with more questions in weeks ahead

[greenthumb]

This house uses a similar technique:

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/image-galleries/student-log-homes/mark-lisa-sherrodd

I don't recall this house being specifically covered in the class but it's been a while for me. But(not to speak for the instructors), they would probably go into detail for you during/after the class if that's what you're headed for. I know it has been talked about quite a bit on the members side. The method for the other houses carries over into the short log technique...

What you may have seen talked about in the other discussion was butting logs directly end to end, which is not advised.

[BenB]

call me crazy and lost but isn't that what happens in a build like this --- you butting a vertical and a horizontal to make the shorts work????? Why would it be any different?
You may be on to the thread I recall vaguely reading before. Cannot find the devil anywhere - maybe it was elsewhere I read it. (?)

[panderson03]

HI BenB. the way they teach in class is that we use whole logs which span the entire length of the wall. piece en piece construction is a bit different as they butt short horizontal logs up to tall vertical 'post' logs. entirely different building styles. each with their own pluses and minuses. we prefer building with the single log spanning the entire length as its easier to match up taper to the next log up, as well as other reasons. still, if all you could find (or get free...) short ones, piece en piece might be the way for you:)

take the class! they discuss several different building styles (as well as a MULTITUDE of other things).

[Timberwolf]

call me crazy and lost but isn't that what happens in a build like this --- you butting a vertical and a horizontal to make the shorts work????? Why would it be any different?
You may be on to the thread I recall vaguely reading before. Cannot find the devil anywhere - maybe it was elsewhere I read it. (?)

Yes, you are indeed correct. However the horizontal to vertical butting (like in a piece en piece) is a much different animal than butting horizontal logs in a wall, which is something you definately want to avoid.

As many have mentioned, taking the class would likely to be your next best step. I guarantee you will learn things, many times more valuable than the cost of the class, then continue to have access to a wealth of knowledge and support on the members side of the forum.

[StressMan79]

one thing I appreciated in the class is if you have any specific questions the instructors are very knowledgeable and very willing to explain any thing you wonder about, giving plusses/minuses of each option. They never tell you what to do, only tell you what to expect from each choice. Check out my pics... my home is 24x24 with a half loft, or 824 sf total. (800 sf usable). lots of passive solar. Members have access to my plans as well.

-Peter

[edkemper]

Ben,

> I want the outer "cabins" for the friends and family if they visiting. Storage maybe too. Beyond that --- small and open open open. My needs are few, wants few too except space (land) and privacy from neighbors 200' away.

Our (just a retired old couple) plans are for a 30x30, single floor, one bedroom one bath home. As little peak to the roof as possible with large overhangs all around (covered porch). 20x20 and 30x30 places added to our inventory as the need arises and as the labor force grows. Farm Labor housing. <smile>

We have a bit more property than most (more than a hundred acres) and plans continue to change. My property is zoned Farm Use Only.

The more time I spend finding out what is ahead in providing our autistic son's needs, the more I'm thinking of making our place a program and service for autistic kids and their families. The kids live alone or in small groups with a few families living there to look after the kids. No opulence for sure. Let them learn to work the land with us. Farming, livestock and gardening for the benefit of a cooperative. Something that will keep us out of the poor house while providing something they need. Perhaps some working local Farmer's Markets to sell our products.

Something we can leave behind for the benefit of people in need of a special place for special people. Something the government doesn't own or operate. Something that will continue to pay for itself.

Anything we can think of, we can do if it's important enough.

[BenB]

We seem to share a lot of the same views edkemper, and many other similar things as well.
I love your story and vision and pray all is well with your son. Things can get trying (trust me-we understand all involved) and one's patience can at times get taxed with everything.
I looked at some 12'x16' sized mini-cabins which I'd call more bunkhouses but have seen them used for months on end as a primary place. I'll be going smaller on the out buildings - now if I had 100 acres I may not!
Thanks for sharing everyone - and I am awaiting the next class in '12

[edkemper]

Ben,

Thank you. My son is amazing, happy and healthy. I'm getting the idea you know. I think we're on the starting line of an exciting journey. We'll have to talk some more. Enjoy this Log home (LHBA) journey. I great family of support.

[Thomas Pannell]

BenB,
Taking the class as you plan is a very good idea. The important thing about it is that they cover the basic principles of this method of construction. You will quickly see that you can build with what you have available and make it just as strong. Your logs will be just as tightly pinned and resistant to settling as a full length log wall if you apply those principles. Looking forward to seeing progress on your project. Please be sure to post photos as you go so the rest of us can cheer you on.
TomP

[Plumb Level]

Hey Ben - I just got back from class. I am also considering using short logs for my hunting cabin/weekend getaway place. It is what we have a lot of, and it is eastern red cedar. I can use oak off our land or nearby Pine for the structural elements. If all goes well, I plan on building a house in a few years and selling the McMansion.

We did not discuss this method (using short logs) in class, and I didn't ask the questions there. I wanted to reflect on what I learned in class, and then start my sketches. Once I make some sketches and think it through a little more, I'll be ready to run it by Ellsworth and Steve. They give out their e-mail addresses.

But, there is a section in class on how to get your logs virtually for free, for the price of the permit. That alone is worth the class. So armed with that knowlege, I might be able to get full length logs for free from a nearby national forrest.

I can't recommend the class enough. Take it as soon as you can.

[LogLover]

Ben - don't know if you went to MN State Fair but inside the Heritage Center area they had a 110 year old plus log home that they moved down from the NE corner 30 some years back, piece by piece. It was not a B&P ,instead a swiss cope variation, but the size was similar to what you talking about or slightly smaller. I think it was closer to 360 sf main floor plus a full loft. It got both of us re-thinking what we want vs what we truly need and then that middle ground compromise so that maybe for us 700-800 sf on the main floor, plus a partial loft would be more than enough if we do the extra "out building" thing for guests/storage/etc. They also had some 10x14 -10x12-10x8 kit cabins there in different area by the vintage farm implement area so it was fun to actually get into a small one and get a feel for what it actually was like and one could do within it. Small loft up top for clothes/etc .... quite nice. Scatter 2-3 of these around a smaller sized log home and for us it may be the perfect setup for us and our family. Especially in light of the fact smaller is easier to handle/build with and the abundance of smaller logs around for very little cost if any. I checked around with the MN DNR and I don't know if it will be easy or even possible to grab free logs unlike we have another knock down like 1999 in the BWCA area. The local pulpers are willing to take anything free they said so that means less for us taxpaying grunts. lol
Loads of options abound it seems for all.
BTW - to late for this year but the "model" Fair that many states copy is the MN one. I detest crowds normally but went 4 times again this year as it's a joy to take in it all. If you ever in the area in late August it's well worth the effort to go ... several times. :D

[LogLover]

BTW - here's a simple small easily done cabin up in Alaska that inspired our thought process initially to the "we can do it" mode. Hope it is ok to put this link here and if not me bad and sorry. Not trying to get myself banned from here admins ,,,, no harm intended
http://www.alaskaantlerworks.com/Alaska_cabin_living_2008.htm

[edkemper]

Loglover,

The bigger the house, the more we can collect. <smile> Most of us learn that when we're young adults. As we age, we tend to notice how much junk we've collected that we haven't touched in years. I have about a year to unload what I can. I'm going to learn how to sell on e-bay. It'll be interesting to see if I can buy a telehandler with what I earn selling those things I couldn't live without over the last few decades. Including the 12 place setting of fine china and the 12 place setting of Sterling and my collection of well over 10,000 pin back buttons. I will enjoy a smaller place.

[LogLover]

Loglover,. I will enjoy a smaller place.

Me too .....