DIY Log House

When you've completed your DIY log house, it will be a long-lasting accomplishment.

A log house is notable for its charm. It can make a good retirement home, close to wildlife and far from urban noise. Building one yourself is a huge time commitment, though it doesn't require any specialized skills. You will need to research your options, as there are many different types of log homes and various approaches to the project. You will need to have land and invest in tools and materials you can find at home-improvement stores. It will take you anywhere from a couple months to a couple years to complete building a log house.

Things You'll Need

• Logs
• String
• Drawknife
• Axe
• Saw
• Post-hole digger
• Lumber
• Plywood
• Reinforced concrete
• Tin roof sheeting
• Nails
• Screws
• Sandpaper

Instructions

Preparation

1. Sketch out a design for your log house. The first step is to determine its outer dimensions. Be careful not to plan for your walls to be larger than the amount of logs you have to work with. If using a log cabin kit, you can use the plans included in it.

2. Remove any trees, bushes or rocks that would be in the way of construction. Ideally, your land would be even but able to drain well.

3. Remove the branches, bark and knots from your logs. Refer to your plan to see how many logs your house will require.

4. Cut and shape your log ends as desired. Normally they are formed into smooth cone shapes. You may want to use sandpaper to produce a clean, polished look to your log ends.

5. Use your post-hole digger to dig holes for the house frame.

Building Floors

1. Insert your log posts into the holes along with some reinforced concrete.

2. Set up the beams and joists for your main floor.

3. Put down the floors, using plywood or wood panels.

Building Walls and Ceilings

1. Build walls by stacking logs horizontally. As you go along, you cut notches to hold the logs together and form the log sides to fit closely up against each other. Following your plan, remember to leave spaces for doors and windows.

2. Fit loft supports into the walls or run logs into extra holes you cut into your wall logs. These logs cross the interior at a height level with the ceiling so they can brace a second floor.

3. Build your gables one side at a time. You want them to extend up to the highest part of your house, which is your ridge pole (the central roof structural support). Set the ridge pole onto the gables.

4. Use your lumber to make a frame for your roof.

5. Use plywood under the roof to make the ceiling. Place tin sheeting on top of the roof.

Finishing Touches

1. Insert any more components according to your plan. This should include a plumbing system, windows and doors, and possibly stairs and a chimney.

2. Install an electrical system and equipment such lighting fixtures, an oven and a stove.

3. Furnish the interior of your house as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Conifer trees usually make the best logs for log homes. Look for the straightest conifers to allow for clean, smooth stacking. You can get cheaper tin sheeting by buying it used at a military surplus supply store or a lumber yard.

References

• Log Home Directory, Building Resources
• "Cabin Kit Homes," Custom Home and Cabin Plans