 |
|
| Square
Footage
| Log
Peeling |
Standard
Length |
Settling |
| Floor
Joists |
Walls |
Doors
& Windows
|
Typical
Spec. |
Here are a few guidelines on designing your log home. You may want
to save these and refer to them later as they will apply to most of the
drawings and designs that we will do on your log home.
|
Log Peelingback to top
Logs
to be peeled and hand detailed Douglas-fir logs, 11' - 13' small end
diameter graded as #2 or #3 special mill sawlogs. Logs are to be treated
with a non-toxic, broad spectrum fungicide to control mold and mildew.
|
Standard lengthback to top
We prefer to build with logs that are no longer
than 40', which is the longest standard log length in the forest industries
today. We are able to obtain logs that are longer, however, they increase
the cost significantly and are much harder to work into the design.
This is why we prefer to design the building with centerline dimensions
of no greater than 34' from outside wall to outside wall.
Walls of this length
almost always have a log interior mid-wall. For this reason, any wall over 24'
center to center should have an intersecting log wall or stub wall for lateral
support. These interior walls allow for roof support as well. If a wall must be
over 34' center to center, a log mid wall is required and a door will be placed
within four feet of the intersecting wall which allows us a area to use log
segments that end in the doorway.
Above the door header, the wall logs are then
spliced in the intersecting wall notch and are bolted end to end so that they
cannot pull apart as the wall settle.
|
Settling
back to topLog structures settle due to log shrinkage
upon drying,
crushing of the wood fiber, and the quality of the joinery.
Settling allowances
will need to be made for plumbing, electrical interior framing, masonry and door
and window openings.
With the Douglas-fir that we use, you can plan on a settling
allowance of 3/4" per foot of wall height or affected opening.
|
Floor joistsback to top
Typical log
floor joists can span up to a maximum of 28' at 4' on center. Spans greater
than this may require larger logs, closer spacing of the joists, or a log beam
and/or log posts supporting them at midspan. We also have the option of using
2x4 parallel chord floor trusses on the main and second floor which gives us
far more flexibility in the layout of plumbing, heating, and electrical.
This system allows for a wide latitude in floor plan layout. One thing that
the floor trusses allow for, is the use recessed lighting. The trusses also
allow for very easy routing of the second floor plumbing, heating and
electrical.
All of this gives us much more freedom in
designing the home while reducing the overall cost of construction. The
ceilings in the area where floor trusses are used can be finished in either
wood paneling or sheetrock. We can also mix the use of log floor joists in one
area of the house and use floor trusses in another. The only sacrifice one
makes by using floor trusses over the use of log floor joists is being able to
lie in bed and stare at logs overhead. In most cases this is a small price to
pay for the freedom in design and cost reduction possible in using the
trusses."
|
Wallsback to topLog walls are quite variable due to the taper and variation in
the size of the logs. Because of this, the log walls are built using the
centerlines of the walls as our reference plane.
The dimensions indicated on the
drawings are to the log wall centerlines; please look closely. Final wall
heights may also vary slightly from the actual drawings. The height will be the
number of rounds as agreed to in the final contract documents.
|
Doors & Windowsback to top
Door and Window openings should not be cut any closer
than 36" from an adjoining wall centerline to the nearest side of
the opening. This allows for the proper trimming of the window openings
without cutting into the scarfing of the logs at the notches and also
allows us to place a thorough-bolt between the window and the notch if
required.
Any log wall between two openings such as two windows or a window and a
door, should be at least 48" for load bearing purposes and to
prevent logs splitting lengthwise.
The maximum window width without a center support post of some means is
8' without prior engineers approval. Most building departments are now
requiring some type of engineering prior to issuing permits. This is
especially true in areas where there is a seismic concern or high
lateral forces due to winds.
|
Typical Specs.
back to top
- 1.
Log Peeling
- Logs
to be peeled and hand detailed Douglas-fir logs, 11' - 13' small end
diameter graded as #2 or #3 special mill sawlogs. Logs are to be treated
with a non-toxic, broad spectrum fungicide to control mold and mildew.
- 2.
Standards
- All work
to be done to standard equal to or more stringent than those set forth
in the American and Canadian Log Builders Associations 1995 Log Building
Standards for Residential, Hand-crafted, interlocking, scribe-fit
Construction. Exception is made with regard to the considerations
for spiral grain of the logs. Please contact us for more details regarding
this issue.
- 3.
Scribe-fit
- Logwork
to be done in the scribe-fitted, shrink fit notched manner with all
saw cut and scarfed surfaces sanded and all log ends trimmed to their
final length. Logwork to be done on my preconstruction site and reassembled
on your foundation.
- 4.
Doors and Windows
- All door
and window openings cut and finished, ready for your units to be installed
and trimmed.
- 5.
Electrical
- All electrical
openings and chases to be cut and drilled to your electrician's requirements.
The client and or electrician must be on site during re-erection to
pull the necessary electrical wires.
- 6.
Floor Joist
- All floor
joists, plates and roof members to be flattened to accept framing
and finish material.
- 7.
Trucking Costs
- Re-erection
costs are included. Trucking costs are included as an estimate; the
actual cost may vary due to road conditions and/or site accessibility.
- 8.
Consultation
- Consultation
time with subtrades and the general contractor, if appropriate, are
included so as to move the project along smoothly.
- 9.
Price
- Price
does not include plans, permits or engineering fees.
- 10.
Minor Materials
- All minor
materials used on site such as foam sealant tape, fiberglass and through
bolts will be provided by Mark Fritch Log Homes.
- 11.
Flashing, Settling Devices
- Flashing,
settling devices, sill seal, doweling, door and window splines and
window bucks are to be provided by the general contractor.
|
|
