OT: Log homes

if the garage doesn't contain a Dodge Truck, as this NG is all about in the first place, then run screaming and don't buy it. Insist it at least has one Dodge Truck somewhere in the house.

LOL....I agree. But unfortunately my parents are stuck on buying a Chevy too...ACK!!

If it's a true log home it will almost never stop settling.

Suddenly, without warning, Jeff Burke exclaimed (2/10/2008 12:02 PM):

Jeff,

What does that mean in practical terms? We're thinking of building a log home as well, in a few years' time.

Since I'm more used to 'settling' resulting in wall cracks and whatnot, not sure what that means for log homes.

jmc

It means refitting windows and doors and repairing the chinking. Most of the log home web sites will tell you the truth about this, you can avoid it by building a faux log home, conventional construction with a log face. A good resource:

Just out of curiosity, why did you post such a question to this group? Don't you think groups like "alt.building.construction" or "alt.construction" or "alt.housing" might be better able to answer your question?

This group is for the discussion of Dodge trucks, not log cabins, so I'm wondering why you asked your question here.

The short answer is cause anything goes in this group.

Notice the "OT" in the header?? That means this thread if off topic. Don't read it if you don't like the topic.

Anything goes in this group. There have been dicussions from firearms to pizza toppings to anything else that someone thinks up. It makes for some interesting reading.

Denny

And why I didn't think twice about asking my own question :)

jmc

When I was pounding nails for a living we built a couple of them. I wasn't really impressed. The thermal effienctcy wasn't all that great as I remember. Trimming them was a pain in the ass and because most of them come as a kit spare parts like that log you found down in the mud on the bottom of the pile and is all split and cracked. If it was me I'd build conventional frame with log siding If you want the look.

How about because he can?

Or perhaps because it is a non moderated group.

It is about log cabins in this thread or don't you have a grasp of what "OT" means?

See any of the above.

The only significant things I knwo are:

1. More difficult to sell on the used market sometimes (only certain people will entertain buying a log-cabin style home). and

1. If the quality of construction and design is not good, they can be a PITA to keep up.

Good side is that short of using stone, they are really solid!

Dunno about that. In the mountains of northern AZ there are scores of log cabins. Several lodges, B&B's etc. too. Much has to do with how well of a foundation is built first.

Because I'm looking for input from people that have actual experience and not from someone that might be giving input just because they are somehow associated with the log home industry. That's why.

Care to show us the "rules" for this group?

What it means is that these type of homes are constantly moving. The logs expand and contract with changes in temp and especially humidity.

With log homes, it is the chinking that can give you trouble as well as any windows and even doors. The logs have to be properly fitted together or you will have constant grief with them. Make sure that if you build one yourself, that you get a bood kit and have somebody that really knows what they are doing or you may regret the project.

Laz, I talked to a friend that is a builder and is just finishing up with one. I asked him about the settleing and he says they drop about 2 inches. There is a turnbuckle that you turn to keep things in line. I thought he was kidding but I guess thats how it is. Also he's bitched constantly about the quality of the kit. Say's things take a lot longer to put in like doors and stuff than a stick built home.

Roy

The maintenance for a log home is more along the lines of different rather than more or less. As others have said, they do not have the best thermal efficiency and if not built correctly, can be a disaster to maintain. Making changes to them can also be much more difficult than making changes to a conventional home. If they are just interested in the look, as others have said, they could build a log faced home and have the advantages of both but if a true log home is what they really want, make sure that the logs are of high quality and fitted properly and they will have a home that will be much easier to maintain and enjoy. Make sure to fully plan out their wiring and plumming needs before construction starts because it is much more difficult to make changes to these in log homes once building starts.

Have you seen the log homes made out of cement? They look just like real logs with none of the real log problems.