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Hi gang! I am planning to move to Napa next year and build a log home! My hubby and I are going there in 5 weeks to check it out! I live in Florida and can not tolerate the high heat and humidity . Don't want to go where it gets too cold so We figured Napa would be the place! Wildernessgirl AKA Lisa
Hi folks. New to the forums and have a question. There are construction methods available which offer wall R values as high as 25 or 30. And they have the mass which seems to be important to a lot of folks. At best, I can see a log home wall coming in at 8-10 for an R-value, unless you have access to 24" logs, which I don't. With the escalating cost of energy we will likely experience in the next 10-20 years, does anyone have any commentary to make me feel better about the log home I want to build???
Real logs (not the twigs and posts of some kit homes) have fantastic thermal mass. Skip's home (the LHBA original instructor) is approx 7000 sq ft. and is heated with a single direct vent propane heater installed in one corner (uses less than $1000 of propane per year, though it may be much less than that). The only disadvantage might be that it takes a bit of time to heat things up the first time it gets cold, but once it does, the flywheel effect takes over. Over insulating the roof (and floor if applicable) will do the most to keep the place warm. That and insuring the house is made airtight through proper sealing of the exterior and around good quality windows (but still allowing the house to breath). Testing has been done (look for for info on the article pages) regarding stick frame vs log homes and log beats out stick framing by a considerable margin. Probably the only house built that could consistantly beat a properly built log home is a strawble or ICF home. I am aware of some houses being built to very high standard using other forms of construction but these are really big $$$ and usually have complicated HVR systems in them.
"An American study has shown that logs have a thermal performance value of R-22 for a building with 10" diameter logs with no insulation added."Quote:
Originally Posted by cntrydan
http://www.100-mile-house-log-homes.com/the_logs.html
"Just buy the biggest fattest logs that you can afford. For most softwoods, expect about 1.25 R per inch of thickness. and then use a very high R-Values and low air leakage in the roof system."
http://www.biglog.com/HTML/LogEnergy.html
At 1.25 per inch, 12" logs (what most people build with) = R15
I'm planning to do radiant floor heat, and I hope to fit into my budget some evacuated tube solar hot water heaters. When it comes to return on investment, preheating water gives the fastest payback of any currently available green home tech. I'm also hoping that I'll have some good southern exposure on whatever property I buy, and will face my great room windows that direction, and have a slate or tile floor to absorb more passive solar energy.
Hello everyone-Finally registered and can't stop laughing at some of the posts. Melting and waiting for another class to be offered. Still replastering from the re-wire on the old house six weeks ago. Please continue to make me smile.
Do you know of anyone who has built a log home, using Skip's methods, in Northeastern Ohio?
I took the course more than 20 years ago, and since then, while raising 6 children, I have eagerly awaited the opportunity to build a log home. My youngest son is now 12 - a great age to take on this adventure.
kitt
Hey was wondering where you are in the building process? We are pouring our basement floor next week and and are hoping to start logs in the next month. Our property is in Northport too, near the border.
Hello, Buck. I'm in Northport, too (Aladdin Road). I'm out of town for a few weeks, but if you email me, I'd love to see what you're doing in my neck of the woods; akguy_1@hotmail.com
I'm at 3310 Aladdin Rd (you can see some of the stacked logs from the road not far from the trailer).
Good Luck and all the best,
Ken
Welcome over to http://buildingblocks08.blogspot.com, and take a look at some *pictures* of Debby's work.
I'm Dave, Debby's husband. I just quit my job to build this house over the summer, so you'll hear more from me.
Enjoy!
I live in Scotland Argyll and the forestry is cropping huge tracts of logs sitka, spruce and other plantation wood looking around at the amount of logs in piles we often wonder about a log cabin and would it be feasable anyone have thoughts on this??
mick
Sitka Spruce are great houselogs. Nice and straight with minimal taper is what you are after. For good energy efficiency, the larger the diameter the better. But folks build with as small as 10 inch top ends and do just fine.
Was thrilled to find your site. I am retired (2 yrs) and have always planned to build a log cabin on one of the three adjoining lots in Cascade, Idaho that I purchased in 1976. I have been checking and talking to pre-cut loggers, builders, friends with cabins, drillers, concrete people and local gov. persons. I would like very much to use your building strategy and am anxious to begin. My concern is the availability of class time. I understand that these opportunities are not readily available and there could be some wait time before acceptance. My question(s) thus: What can I do ahead of class time to determine the quality, quantity, size, and condition of log necessary? Once secured should they be harvested or left standing until needed? If harvested what is necessary for preparation? Is it possible/plausable to register for your class now in order to receive this information prior to taking your class or is it necessary to take the class first then secure logs etc. Again I am anxious to start building as soon as possible and would sincerely appreciate your insight. Thanks!!!
The LHBA recommends that you take the class before acquiring logs. One reason for this is that the class will teach you what to look for, methods of obtaining logs at low cost (sometimes free), etc. You will also learn tips for designing your home to best suit your needs, which will directly impact the type and size of logs that you will need, based on your situation.
I know your anxious to begin but I would sign up for email notification of the next class convening. Attending the class first will help you collect materials and tools more efficiently and may even save you from making some costly errors.
Again, welcome aboard.
JD
Hello Basqueko and welcome! Glad to hear you're excited and ready to begin!
I'm going to let JD speak now, since he did a better job of it than I.
Hello All;
My name is Tim and I recently attended the LHBA two day class this past May 24-25. I learned a LOT and am very glad I took the time and money to make it happen.
Since I am stationed with the Army in North Carolina, I had to fly across the country for the class, camp out at Flowing Lake for four rainy nights, and deal with the ridiculous business practices of a certain car rental agency in SeaTac, but it was all worth it. I highly recommend going to this class if you haven't yet.
I am about midway through an Army career, and find it difficult to build right now, given how often we move from place to place. I am in the process of building my model though, and having a great time with it. I will post photos as they become available.
My family and I have been stationed in Washington and Colorado prior to North Carolina, and we absolutely miss the mountains and the DRY air! We agree that NC is certainly a less desirable place for us to live. We are hoping to retire out West when that day comes.
In the mean time, collecting materials and tools, looking for land, and saving money. We WILL see this through!
Best Regards,
Tim
Good people -
I'm Rob, a long-time lurker and new member as of today. I'm extremely impressed with the quality and creativity of the designs I've seen here, and they've inspired me to start my own log home odyssey. And everyone here seems really nice, which is pretty rare, and cool.
May I ask you all a few irritating questions? Any answers you might have would be so appreciated.
1. Many of you are from the South or the West coast... are there any New Yorkers among you? Or Tri-staters, maybe?
2. I'm all fired up to take a course in the next year, but I'm getting a little nervous about joining up, and then finding that there aren't any classes offered. Am I just being paranoid?
3. What (in your opinion) is the best plan-design software for the Macintosh? I've seen some of the big names, and I'm not too impressed with the quality of the renderings. Is there anything out there that really works?
I'm sorry to bother, and again, I'm so psyched to be a fledgling part of this group. Have a nice day!
- R
Hi R and welcome.
Don't know of any one in NYC but there are two members within a short drive. Hemlock in CT (or maybe MA) and Claire in NJ. There are also several from upstate NY and a bunch of us from PA.
Hey Rob, I'm from the Big Apple and can't wait to retire and build my log cabin in the Adirondacks. Me and a buddy just took the class in May of 08 and it was a great experience. Just take your time and go through the LHB web site and it just about answers all your questions. The members are great and friendly and also answer any question you may have.
Adam
I am from syracuse ny area . took the class in june 08 , so I am pretty new also. I am trying to purchase land about 3 1/2 hours outside nyc. I know that htere are at least 3 others in upstate ny . Pretty close to deciding on land , need perc test then decide. will keep you posted and if you want to visit when I am building you will be welcome (no work , unless you want ) . The class is well worth the wait . I was pretty skeptical ( as is my nature LOL), but Steve and Ellisworth do a great job and teach a lot. Again welcome you are in for a great ride :)
bob
Hi. My name is Sheree. I live in southeast Florida. I grew up in the Poconos and moved down here with my husband over 10 years ago. I can't get the mountains out of my mind and I've always wanted to live in a log home. I dream of moving to a large piece of mountain property, wooded and secluded, but not displaced from the rest of the world. I have 3 very young children and I would actually love to make the move while they are still young. We considered building a log home here in south Florida and visited a few kit manufacturers, but we found it was too expensive an undertaking here in Palm Beach County. I stumbled across this web site and now I am more encouraged than ever to keep my dream alive, and I don't think I would ever consider a kit home again.
I look forward to chatting with everyone and learning as much as I can about the industry.
Sheree
Glad to see another bitten by the bug.
Timberwolf.
Klapton wrote:
Donna and I recently joined a gym, and are working to get in shape.
For everyone here who wants to get into shape before they start building their dream house:
I recently stumbled across this website and it made me think of LHBA and how simpler, no nonsense, and cheaper almost always means better.
Basically, this guy started exercising with a sledgehammer in his home. He mimicked actual movements in real life as opposed to doing exercises. It was so successful that he now has a huge following on the Internet. It's not just the exercises, this guy has a really great philosophy. Best of all it's completely free!
You can find it at http://www.shovelglove.com
As a guy that absolutely hates going to the gym, I find this really tempting. Not to mention swinging a sledgehammer is really fun!
The "chopping wood" exercise could be renamed "pounding rebar" in our case.
G'Day Mates!
My name is K.W. and I just found this website late tonight through surfing the web. I have been very interested in building my own log cabin ever since I was a child and watched my grandfather build one. Since then it seems that everyone in my extended family has built one form or another of a log cabin. At the moment I am a teacher living in Kansas, but that may be changing very soon. I am going to take a road trip in early august and see where the wind blows me. I hope to find a place and settle down with my own land in my own cabin that I have built. I am said to see that no classes will be offered this year. I hope to find out all the information that I can though. That being said, if you have any tips for a begginer who knows how to work with his hands but has a very slim budget please shoot me an email. Thats all for now. May Peace Be With You.
K.W.
Actually all the site says is that no more classes have been SCHEDULED for this year. It's entirely possible, and I'd say in fact likely, that some classes will be scheduled later this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoMoBu
I suggest you join the email list to get notification when they are.
Rhbourne, my land is in Fulton County which is west of Albany about an hour. I lurked for a couple of years before I bought my property in Summer '06. I camped up there last summer and then joined this group and took the class in January. At this moment, I can think of at least 5 or 6 individuals or couples in NY that have taken the class, started building or are waiting to get into a class...(Right, Annie?) You'll have plenty of NY comrades to compare notes with.
Frances
Just thought I'd say hello since I just checked out your blog and we are at just about the same stage in the process. We hope to finish the ICF walls this weekend and be able to pour concrete next week. You may have already done that by now - hope it went well. We are down in Southern CA (Big Bear Lake). Impressive your daughter was able to help with peeling. Our daughter is only 1 now so not much help yet. Anyway, here's our blog. http://barnesloghome.blogspot.com/ Cheers!
Hi Rob,
Welcome to LHBA! I was a "lurker" also before I finally joined. And you are right, the site has lots of wonderful people more than willing to share their knowledge and expertise in any and all aspects of building your own log home.
I am in Central NY, in the City of Syracuse. I have already signed on for the email notification for the next class. You might want to consider doing that as well. You don't send any money until there's actually a class scheduled. And, I would assume (although I shouldn't ass u me), that if you were notified about a class starting up and the timing wasn't right for you, you could wait to send in your money, and add your name for the next email notification. Anyone know if that's how it works?
Regarding design software for a Mac, I'm afraid I can't help you. However, I just downloaded SketchUp to my computer for free. I'm not sure if it was Mac compatible, but you could check it out.
Welcome aboard Rob! And good luck with all your plans! Maybe I'll see you at the next class!
I can't shoot you an email if you don't provide an addy. Anyway, my advice is the same regardless: find something that others don't want. I found some gorgeous land in a remote part of north central wash. The price -- 32k/20 acres. a great view, water, decent access (could be improved much with a caterpillar) and lots of big trees. It is just too far from Seattle and Spokane to drive the price up. There is a lot of land up this way for as low as 18k/20 ac, with no trees/water, but with great access and a Killer view. I would (in order) 1, take the class or do some hands on training at my place, around next summer. 2, buy some land. If you don't need to be near a metro area, or have tillable acres, then don't. and 3) start doing some research--do you want to live off grid? how might you use solar/wind power? There are those that supplement these with generators or even micro hydro. This site should be a large part of the research, but should in no way be the extent of it. The reason I went into alternative energy is b/c it is the easiest thing to rely on to get cheaper property--you'll never be able to afford 20 AC in Vail, CO, but you could afford some equally beautiful land in idaho. The difference is what someone else is willing to pay. go where they aren't yet interested, and you'll pay much less. Land without utilities is much cheaper.
I am done rambling.