Reply to Donna's introduction
Hi, Donna. We're neighbors - I'm near Northport, WA, and though I have not yet started to build, I have my land and have taken the class. I'm sure I speak for SO many LHBA members when I say TAKE THE CLASS! There is much to be learned about the LHBA method of building, and Elsworth and Steve will make it very clear (they've been teaching and building for a long time).
You are in a good area for trees (logs). I used to live in Coeur d'Alene and also in Sandpoint. Please don't concern yourself with what species of tree to use - it's a relatively insignificant point and will be covered in the class (again, you're in a good area).
I'm sure you've already noticed, but there are a lot of people on this forum who can and will give you advice and support during your build. And once you join you will be allowed access to entire new forums (members'). If you're truly excited about the prospect of building your own log home, I'm sure I again speak for many members when I say don't let the dream die...take the class and discover what many people have learned about the correct way to assemble a log home. Joining the LHBA was some of the best money I've ever spent. Please sign up and take the class as soon as you are able. You will not EVER regret it. Welcome to the neighborhood.
Ken
Nice little place on the web you guys have here
Hello all. My name is Russell and I have been interested in log homes for a long time now. I stumbled across the web site about a year ago, and it just added more fuel to the fire. Now I just need to get my wife on board :)
sorry it took so long to get back to ya
Sorry it took so long to get back to ya, but things get buried in here. I plan on building in Union parish just a little south of the Arkansas line. Our family property is up in the piney hills---the good part of the state. I'm gonna build right in the middle of it so that I will never have to worry about seeing a neighbor. :) The road that crosses the property and runs right in front of my building site is a wagon road that dates back to the early 1800's. I was going to try and use pines from the property but others in the family are more interested in timber royalties than me being debt free. So I'll be getting my trees from the national forests around here. I'm aiming on having the geo-tech guy out there doing his thing in a few months.
Marcus Ward
Butt and Pass is WAY easier than chinkless
This article gives a lot of detail about the difference between Butt and Pass and other systems:
http://www.loghomebuilders.org/difference-between-different-styles-chinkless-log-home-construction
Scandinavian Chinkless, when done correctly, is MUCH more complex than Butt and Pass. First your logs have to be COMPLETELY seasoned (dried) to really do it right. That means waiting as much as a year or more before you even start. Then the ENTIRE length of the log has to be perfectly fitted to the log below in order to not have drafts, and more importantly, to ensure even load bearing of the walls. This CANNOT be done offsite and disassembled and reassembled. That's why kits pretty much universally suck compared to handcrafted (when done CORRECTLY).
The lighter colored chinking you see in some photos is most likely some form of vinyl / synthetic chinking. Synthetics are more expensive than making your own mortar (they teach the recipe in the class). They also don't "breathe" like mortar, which allows any moisture trapped between the logs to escape. (One of the major misconceptions people have about log homes is that they want to try to "seal" water out. It doesn't work. Sealing the logs or log joints ends up trapping moisture IN, promoting rot.)
There are ways to color mortar chinking and make it prettier, but it's time consuming, so most people don't do it. Most folks who prefer the look of synthetic chinking, and are willing to pay for it, go synthetic. While many of us prefer the breathability of mortar, a butt and pass log home built correctly with large roof overhangs is not likely to have any rot problems with synthetic chinking either. It really comes down to preference.
Same goes for staining / sealing logs. If you want them to stay looking new and retain their nice color, you have to stain the logs. If you hand-peel the logs so you don't expose the grain, and have large roof overhangs, this is not necessary, however. Again, it comes down to preference. Some folks like the rustic look of 100% natural, untreated logs. Others prefer to keep the pretty color you get from stained logs. But, of course, staining also means more time and expense.
Princess Pam should meet Pinecone Pam
Welcome Princess Pam!
We have a member who is roughly your age and of similar spirit who is just about finished with her home named "Pinecone Pam". I spent a couple minutes trying to find a linkie to her pictures, but couldn't find it in a timely fashion. Perhaps she'll see this and post them!
Passive Solar Stuff:
Butt and Pass log homes have excellent R-value and logs have good thermal mass. You can't cut out TOO much of your south-facing wall for windows (for example, you want any windows at least three feet from the corners), but the gable end of that wall bears no load at all, so you can fill that whole thing with windows! With a steeper roof pitch (which does cost more, btw) you can increase this area, and have even more light come into the house. Here's an example of steep roof pitch with large windows in the gable end:
http://www.loghomebuilders.org/master-bedroom-ideas-log-homes-windows
The other thing you would want to do to maximize passive solar heating would be to use tile flooring in your great room, and perhaps install a stone fireplace / chimney in a spot where the sun would shine on it. This can be done VERY nicely in a butt and pass log home, and would look fabulous. Something like this, only on the wall opposite your south-facing windows:
http://www.loghomebuilders.org/log-homes-giant-rock-fireplace
Important to work together
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike639
Just wanted to say hello, I am new to the site and have been reading through the posts here. I am definately interested in taking the course and eventually building my own year round log home in Northern MA or Southern NH. My wife is a little more skeptical though I have to get her on board.
It's very important to both agree on the course you will take on something like this. I would encourage BOTH of you to go to the class. Many people have gone to the class with various doubts, and just about everyone comes out of it confident that they CAN do it, and that their hard work will result in a superior home for the money spent.
Will soon have access to the member section only wouhou
Hi all
My name is Alex, I'm 28 years old (29 end of march), french canadian from Montreal, Quebec, always been in sales and marketing, but last year I've change to go work in the construction industry so I could start working with my hands and get to know some people that could be helpfull when I start to build my log house or get the land (excavator, 10 wheelers, dozer etc..). I've been reading all the post on this forum for over 2 years, I feel like I know you all already lol. It's been 5 years since I had a full night of sleep whitout thinking of my log house, and had that dream since I'm 15 years old, I feel the next month will be soo long but what is one month in a lifetime.
I just got my present before my b-day, the greatest gift someone could get, LHBA membership. So me and a friend/co-worker are comming in April, and will reserve our seats next week.
Hope to get to know you better and share our passion
Sorry for my rusty english and spelling mistake
Peace
Alex B.
