Most common construction method?

[Stumpy]

Log Structure?

Stacked logs / Upright?

Milled lumber on site?

How long did you allow wood to dry?

Lessons learned?

Things to do differently?

Yes this is a broad question, just getting some feedback and some activity here?

Thanks,
Sean

[ugashikrobert]

Sean:
I used convential stick construction and made a lot of mistakes doing it. First of all we live in the land of no trees and it makes that decision simple. The first mistake I made was using 2x4 instead of 2x6 sticks. I also used a Gambrel(Barn) roof because I was concerned about snow load that turned out not to be a problem. The Gambrel thing really cuts down on living space in the second story.
The last thing I did was follow everyones advice about using 3 coats of Behr Rawhide on the the T111 as a preservative sealer. Looks good initially but after a few years it discolors to a very dark color especially where you have accumalated snow.
I used the best LP22 wolmanized pressure treated lumber I could find for decks and anything with outside exposure and it just doesn't cut it in our harsh environment. After 10-12 years the LP22 starts to get a green mossy texture to it that I'm sure will only get worse. The longer I live out here the more I think any kind of wood is a poor long term choice. The only type of roof that holds up is some type of metal. I used the norclad in light brown and if fades badly in the sun after about 5 years. Green seems to hold its color better. I plan on adding another 2 inches on the walls plus house wrap then some kind of metal siding I haven't decided on yet.
Bottom line is look carefully at the money you may be saving up front on cheaper materials because it will cost you far more in the long run to do it right. The escalating costs of fuel also make it a better investment.

[pipedreams]

Hey Bob! Good to see you!

I have a question, I always thought the concept behind the Grambrel roof design was to create MORE space upstairs........not less........kind of like making a full lenght dormer...How come you feel like you have less space this way?

As for me, I built with logs.......

[ugashikrobert]

Pipe:
When I say less I mean less in comparision to a straight up wall. The wall space especially at the bottom of a Gambrel sloped wall isn't very usable unless you have triangle shaped furniture or appliances. There have been a few times in our 90mph + winds that I have wondered how well a standard wall and roof would of done but the snow load issue didn't materialize.

[pipedreams]

Okay, I understand what you mean...............kind of like the problems with an A frame pitch, but not quite so extreme.

[Jenny]

We built our last cache with a gambrel roof, and for us, it did add extra space. But, as you say, Bob, I don't think I'd really want it for living space. We're in a really high snow area and were planning to build the cache with a standard roof with a fairly steep slope. Then Chuck decided we'd get more storage space and still have something to handle the snow if he put a barn roof on it. So now we have a 2-story log cache. We've been very happy with it, except that it holds so much stuff that we can't find anything Last year while we were living out in Bristol Bay, we had a record snow year out here. But the cache, and all the other buildings held up fine.

The little cabin we're living in is a frame building built from used lumber. But we're finally getting around to building our new house ----- logs! I can hardly wait. The plan is to get moved in by Christmas day 2006, even if we have no more than a floor, roof, outside walls and the wood cookstove.

BTW, welcome to the forum, pipedreams! Good to see you over this way ;D

Jenny

[pipedreams]

Thanks for the welcome.........great site you have here!