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| two logs stacked in corner |
6 x 8 D shape white pine from Original Log Cabin shipped in random lengths and cut to size per print on job site . Home owner Frank Merron laid first log, as shown in here in our video. the process is time consuming and noisy!
1.CHALKING The first step is rather easy yet, is a very important step. A chalk line is snapped out 4 inches all around the deck from outside of the concrete foundation. This is done to square up the deck which needs to prefectly square. For if its off at all, it will show up at the roof. A 1/4 of inch off at this level can show up at the roof as much as an entire inch or more. Shinglers, homeowner and myself all would not be happy.
Why drag the chalk line in 4 inches?
By dragging it in 4 inches , since the logs are really 5 1/2 from flat inside to fat of the round, the log that sist on the deck 4 inches puts the fat of the round hanging over 1 1/2 inches over your sub-floor . This is what we want. The reason for this is that when half log siding goes up,which is an 1 1/2 inches thick they were both match, i.e. the fat of the round to the half log siding.
2.Mark out electric on the sub floor with a red crayon so we know where to drill out the electric out we get to this process and importantly so we don't put any lags in this location which we do not want when installing log electric outlets. I work closely with the electrician on my log homes, as it is common that an electrician has not had experience with running electric threw logs.
We also mark out center of doors and windows. so we know where to stop the logs
3.Apply sealant of either caulk or log tape which the log is placed on. Then we follow straight down the chauk line corner to corner to get a real straight first log. Much care is taken in this, once again to ensure an accurate and plum beginning.
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| zinc Lag Screw |
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| Oly Scews |
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| Lag gun on large beam |
5.Window and door allowances after running 2 full logs we had to compensate for window openings on our last log home. On Franks home, there was a window shipping delay, even through window openings are on the print, you need the actual window to measure. Print openings are rough size and not true size.
Allowances have to be made for the 2 x material and compensation for window buck roof openings, such as adding at least 3 inches to the opening. Since actual measurements were unattainable we simply extended the full log threw all window and door openings and then chain sawed them out later once the windows arrived and we could get our measurement.
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| Example of how we over hung the logs so later we could come back, cut the logs out to the exact size of the window and door openings |
Precut system you have to sort to find your logs this is very time consuming. They often are not shipped in any meaningful manner. With pre cut you do not have to read the print, go find a log and cut it to size however I have found that what you are not spending in cutting time you do spend in sorting.
A real disadvantage to a precut log system is when the foundation is slightly off, which happens far too often. I suggest that homeowners and general contractors use extreme care in selecting their concrete man. Remember that this is where it all begins, if this is done poorly or carelessly it will show up in many aspects of the building process. When this happens, we are in an unfortunate position indeed! With a pre cut system logs will hang over if the foundation is poured too large in spots, the logs will stick out past your sub floor. And obviously if it is too small, the logs hang over. So it follows that it is very important that the foundation with a pre cut system is as close to prefect as possible.
Random length package, I can accommodate and make changes to compensate for an inaccurate foundation. In addition, it is easy to make last minute changes for the homeowner,such as moving a window, changing interior walls, as long as it is not a structural change , then I can do it. I can not when it is a precut system. Also if there are extra logs, which there generally is, you might even be able to run an extra course. Simply put with precut, your options are limited.
If a log is damaged in shipping, which does happen, with random logs I find one to replace it, cut off the damaged part and reuse it somewhere else. It is really two different mind sets concerning these tow options. Neither is better really than the other, but I find that I prefer them not to be precut. One of my talents, and something I really enjoy , is conserving l and finding additional uses for excess material
How many logs are needed to do a log stack?
It depends on the type of log you are using. Standard height with a 6 x 8 is 13 courses,which gives you a 8 foot log stack hieght. When a 6 x 12 it is about 9 courses for the same height. T hey sack faster as they are about 5 less courses, but remember a bigger log is a heavier log and more to lift.
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| Jeremy Sinur and homeowner Frank Merron discussing the 8 logs that were stacked for a window opening, we tend to work from corners, making them plum and level to insure a square home. |
second floor is squared again, refined
