How to Build a Log House
Log homes have been a staple of the American landscape since the inception of the country. They can be modified to fit any lifestyle, as they can be as simple or as elaborate as desired. Relatively simple and affordable to build, they are also a wise choice for the homeowner wanting to have a positive impact on the environment. Wood is a renewable resource, and it will not release any toxic chemicals into the air during the building process. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Logs
- Timber boards
- Saw
- Hammer
- Nails
- Shingles
- Brush
- Bucket
- Bleach
- Water
- Wood sealer
Instructions
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1
Picking the right property is essential to the success of your log home. The ground should be elevated so that the ground will remain as dry as possible. If necessary, dirt can be added to level the ground. Avoid land that is at the bottom of a hill or marshy, as this can affect the foundation of the cabin and lead to rot.
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2
Choose the largest logs that you have hewn or received from a log manufacturer for the base. These are called the sill logs. Based on the desired design and size of the house, place the logs directly on the ground in the shape of a rectangle or square. If desired, you can pour a concrete foundation, and once dry, place the logs on top of the concrete. Or, stack stones in the correct shape and size and place the logs on the stone foundation.
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3
Using a saw, cut notches into the sill logs every two feet. Make sure the notches are parallel on both sides. Into these notches, place the timber supports, which will serve as the foundation for the floorboards. The supports should be long enough to stretch from a notch on one side of the house to the corresponding notch on the other side.
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4
Lay the timber boards on top of the timber supports for the flooring so that they are touching with no spaces in between boards. If desired, to secure the floorboards in place, notch the underside of the boards to alight with the support beams before laying in place.
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5
Using the saw, cut a notch into the logs that will form the walls in the same spot on each log, about one foot from the ends. One foot from the end of the sill logs, place the newly notched logs on top of the sill logs. This building system system is called a lock joint because it will lock the logs into place and prevent them from shifting.
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6
Stack the notched logs on top of one another until they reach the appropriate height. During this process, alternate laying a log on the short side of the house and the long side of the house, if the foundation is in a rectangular shape. Or, place one at a time on each side, if the house shape is square.
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7
Using a saw, make openings for the windows and doors at the correct height. This is usually about eight inches for the doors and three feet for the windows. Place the windows and doors into the open slots according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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8
Place the logs for the roof in the same manner the logs were laid for the floor in step three. Lay notched logs on the top logs so that they reach across the middle of the floor from one side of the house to the other. Place notched timbers across the top of the logs, as you did with the floor. Using the hammer and nails, place shingles in even rows across the top of the roof.
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9
Mix a solution of one-third bleach with two-thirds water in a bucket and brush the exterior logs with the solution. Spray with water to rinse, then apply a wood sealer. Repeat every two years to maintain the wood.
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Tips & Warnings
Laying a concrete or stone foundation is a smart plan for a log home that is in an area that receives rain regularly. It will prevent the logs from soaking up excess moisture, which can compromise the integrity of the wood and lead to rot. Cedar and white pine are popular log choices because they are hardy and affordable. The diameter of the logs should fit the size of the home. Logs with a large, 14 to 18 inch diameter are appropriate for large structures, while smaller logs with a diameter of six to eight inches are best for smaller homes.
References
- Photo Credit Suzanna Logan
