Hi everyone,
My name is Steve and I took the classes this past weekend (begging of feb 2008) - I hope to start building a scale model soon!
Steve
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Hi everyone,
My name is Steve and I took the classes this past weekend (begging of feb 2008) - I hope to start building a scale model soon!
Steve
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
I have watched (from a distance) my brother and two of my uncles biuld their log homes. I do not own a home of any kind and am certian this is the kind of home I want. I live in so-cal near lake arrowhead and have a few locations to look for land or lot. I simply do not know where to start so I have clicked of "log homes" and found you guys and a LOT of kit guys.
My brothers experience has led to convince my not to but a kit and I have no Idea where to start. It is great to find someone that cares enough about hte rest of us to do what your doing.
Thanks!!!! well until I can buy some dirt I will keep reading everything you have and save some $$$ to come to school.
I do have one question, after reading about the chinkless methods, I notice some beutiful homes with light colored chinking, Is this a faster/more affordable option than hand fitting every log??? Thanks again wish me luck!!!
Brian H.
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.
I stumbled onto this site and it looks great. Currently looking at land for a vacation cabin, exploring options. Hope to get some good advice.
Hello, disappointing to read these log home building "classes" full for 2008, Feb. But that also means that some lucky folks will be learning to do what they love, building their own home. Gotta love that! Would love to be a lil mouse in someone's pocket taking tiny little notes, lol!
I am over 55, living in an urban setting, am still torn between straw bale and log cabin, living in the West for 30 plus years. I write poetry and decorate, garden and travel on little scenic trips here in CO with my friend and we always have my lab. I do what I like and what I love, and also do like to share my gifts, what else are we here for anyway...
I would appreciate knowing anything about the solar gain in a log building situation (passive, south facing walls, etc) and rain water collection (can it be done on a roof for log application). I am looking forward to enjoying my home with radiant floor heat, a nice woodstove and the recycled materials that seem to be plentiful here in Denver/Boulder area (resellers of anything you can imagine, even architectural stuff). I appreciate learning and the sharing of knowledge, having grown up when it was "hip" to share and I do fondly recall the 70's when I would read from cover to cover, my Mother Earth News and dream in my Boston kitchen. I attribute my move with my child, 1 dog, 1 cat in my little VW to those magazines. And the passion and hope that only the young and a"free" spirit can appreciate. Years later, I still have that spirit after living on the land, experiencing the silence and the windsong, rushing out in pj's or nightgown to the early morning dew when no one is around, to gather up wood, catch your breath at the beauty of a mare's gaze upon you in the mist, how wonderful it is collect more than you can eat wild asparagus (and to give passage to those respectful enough from town who had asked for access to yr ditchbanks); When you accept you are another organism out in the sage, under the wide and limitless sky, when you understand you are among the precious organisms who have stayed and who have survived and have a role, albeit a small maybe more often than not, a precious and unseen one, then you know you are "real" in your being doing nothing but "being" cradled in the generous and receptive open palm of land. I know something I did not know in the city even as a free spirit there: it is ok then, when dealing with yourself and the land, to let the land win. To let it be as it lets you be. It is ok to create nothing new. But to be recreated again and again. And it welcomes you, it knows you and it will miss you, with words unspoken, when you pass...
I was called (behind my back) "the Little Pioneer" I was so touched. And in the city, a neighbor called me "Princess Pam". Touching as well, in each place someone called me by a name I did not ask for. I guess the land had its name for me when I turned away in loathing at the site of a long dead coyote strung along a barbed wire fence. Coyote lives in you, perhaps. Perhaps I am nothing but a star plummeting to the earth, one of billions and perhaps his death was more meaningful for me to see as a young Boston transplant than all my days spent digging in the soil and planting several varieties of tomatoes, perhaps he was the book of the New West and I was the abrupt end of the Old West, where I expected neighbors to come calling (they didn't) and where neighbors helped me raise the roof (they didn't). Lessons of the earth, I like the fact that someone has called me by a name. And I never got to choose...Peace.
Thanks, we all have dreams. I have always tried (or not, just came naturally) to LIVE them, there is no other way to live and be happy...
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
Hello everyone! My name is Ron Carter Jr. I'm from Chicago, but now live in Knoxville, TN. I found this site yesterday and after about 30 minutes...I was hooked! My wife and I have been looking at homes and property to purchase. We looked at manufactured/modular homes to save money. After some investigating on the internet...I came to the conclusion that the quality level is sub-standard. I then looked into log kit homes. Well...only for about 10 minutes. Then, by the grace of God, I found this site! WOW! Thanks to the internet, I might have saved myself TWICE from making a very costly mistake. I'm sure there are a few reputable companies out there that specialize in manufactured/modular/log kit homes for sale...but a few negative comments go along way. My wife thinks I'm crazy (she's probably right), but I have now decided that building my own home is the way to go. I can't wait to start learning!
Ohhh...be careful Ron, you'll get log home fever!
It makes you do crazy things.
Welcome to the forums, sounds like you're already
one of us!
-Rick
I recently returned from the class held Feb 2-3 and finally got around to logging into my account for the first time. I wanted to say Hello to everyone! My wife and I don't have plans to build right now, but as soon as we get back from Germany we will start. Ellsworth and Steve - Thanks for all the great information in the class, it was a good time!
-Russ
Hi my name is Cecil from Long Island, NY. Im finally coming out of the dream stage into the reality stage. My wife and I are planning to buy land and then build our log home. From viewing this website, it seems we can forgo the log home conventions, or building it ourselfs, maybe, and go with getting our logs and have a contractor build to our specs... Skips course seems to be the way to go before proceeding. Just a wealth of info on this site that I took a nap and returned.
Update 2008: We could not get our Construction to Perm loan for our log home in Maryland, So we went with a pre existing loan and got an older brick exterior home for now. We still plan to attend the class though hoping for our LOG HOME!!!!!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by mike639
Hi Everyone and Steve.
I have been wanting to join a class for quite some time. Prices of property have gone crazy.
It has been a dream of mine to ALWAYS live in a log home.
I have to come up with money to get to your class. The way I understand, you are full of information.
I think being somewhat self sufficient is the way to go, the way our government is headed.
Need to find a way and the courage to start.
If there is any help on info please pass some this way.
Thank you
rusticgirl
Courage and Info... Hmmm...Quote:
Originally Posted by rusticgirl
Start by reading some of the articles here, and looking at the Student Homes galleries. There's tons of info, and lots of success stories (i.e. finished homes) here. Then post what questions or reservations you might have in the General Forum. (Don't be afraid to start your own thread). Here's an example of someone with reservations posting questions: http://www.loghomebuilders.org/2-good-2-b-true
Let us know what questions you have. We'll do our best to answer them.
One thing I can tell you about the class is that it will help greatly to help you find that courage you need. When people used to ask Skip if something was hard he would say, "It's the hardest thing you've ever done -- until the NEXT hardest thing you've ever done." Skip is retired now, but the same CAN-DO attitude is infectious among LHBA members. The biggest thing I got from the class was the reassurance that I really CAN do this!
Hello all
Brian here from Ireland, just wanted to say hello. Myself and my wife have been dreaming abiut building a log home for about seven years now. The value of our current means that we could probably sell and build and become free!! Log houses are fairly new to Ireland and only seem to be kit constructs. Until I came across your site I assumed they were the only ones. I myself have dreamed of building my oun home in the countryside since I was a kid. We moved out of the city seven years ago but couldnt get the land we wanted. So we settled for a bricks and moter house as a stop gap but we are still there. Now we think its time to realise our dream as more and more log houses are poppin up over here.
Has anyone from Ireland ever attended your seminars and would it be of benifit to us as our planning laws are probably quite different to yours.
Welcome!
I do know that people from all over the world and all walks of life make up our membership. We might have some that are Irish.
I would be interested to know about how you go about building (permiting, log sourcing, etc.) in Ireland, particularly in more rural locales.
In the US and Canada much consternation is made of the local government and zoning laws. People actually relocate specifically to get away from restrictive ordinances and building codes that are previlent in many parts of the country. We still have some localities where all the government officials want to know is where your mailbox will be located!
I do know that Ireland used to be a forest island (certain neighbors to the east saw to it that they were cut down though, no? Sorry, if I'm out of line, but my great grand-mother was from Cork--most of the family still holds a certain amont of resentment) ---in this age is there a local lumber industry that could support your log needs? (forgive my ignorance). Or, would you be dealing with imported timber?
Right now, many US builders find it cheaper to actually import Canadian timber from across the border than buy locally--although, it really depends upon the specifics of the local market/supply.
-Andrew
Welcome zerobars!
When my husband & I took the class in April 2007, there was a person from New Zealand who was living in Japan and planning on building there. We also have a member who has built a beautiful log home in South Africa, I believe (I think this name is"Roy" on these forums, you may be able to search for some of his posts).
I don't know if we have any members in Ireland yet though! You share the same dreams as all of us, and you will find lots of encouragement here.
Best regards,
2 cents
Maybe I'm the first from Ireland!!
Im not really sure as to the local lumber industry as ive only been looking at 'kits' until I found this site, but now Im going away to rethink seven years of research into kit homes; blown away within two minutes of finding this site! It appears to be getting easier to get 'permissions' to build log houses now. There is a log house build about three miles from where I live now. I will look into the possibility of going to the next seminar because at the moment my mind is in overdrive after looking at all the gallery photos, reading the threads and information overload.
As for the neighbours well enough said:)
Cheers
Brian
Hi .. my name's Tom
and I'm a logaholic.
Let's all thank Tom for sharing tonight.
I got her thinking. Then again I can see her doubts. I'm not the most tool savvy person in the world. A conventional home around this area is 300K so We both want to do something without a home owning us.
Where in Ireland are you? My wife and I honeymooned in Dingle, and I think a genuine log home in the butt-and-pass style would look as natural most places we drove as any of the old stone houses we saw there.
The planning you did for your kit home ideas isn't going to be thrown away, just so you know. Anything you dreamed up, you'll be able to do. But after you've taken the course, you'll be able to do it better, cheaper, and it will last as long as you live in the house - which as you probably learned from reading the articles on this site, isn't going to be the case with any type of conventional kit construction. You will be thrilled and inspired by what you see and learn. Just be prepared to have fellow LHBA members wanting to come visit you once you're done!
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.
We live in Cavan which has plenty of lakes to build a log cabin on. We are going to start looking for land and raise the capitil from our existing house. will look to go to the seminar later in the year if there is another one planned. Ps we're always open to visitors!!
Hey everyone again. Been a while! Just got the April news. So how is the weather in WA that time of year? We will be driving from OK (can't stand flying!). What can we expect?
Weather in wester WA in April is WET, and not very warm (50s, usually). Be prepared to find snow as you cross the Rockies and the Cascades though. It's not often that the Cascades get a huge blizzard in April, but it has been known to happen. Expect the climb up the hill from the parking lot to Skip's house to be wet and slippy -- good, outdoorsy, grippy shoes encouraged. Bring a flashlight for the walk back to your car after class. It will probably still get dark by the time class is over.
Hey Steve and all..
I did the course in Washington in April 2005... still havent got around to building one in Ireland yet though
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve