Package Details

With every project, you get :

BLUEPRINTS, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, CONTRACT

  • A full set of computer generated, detailed blueprints and working drawings (unless provided by an outside architect)
  • Technical support before and after final installation of the log shell in preparation for closing in and finishing stages
  • A "contract for construction" specifying payment and construction schedules, insurance coverage, and warranties

Log shell Components

Standard Components:

LOG WALLS, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR

  • Full length (up to 60’) Eastern White Pine logs in three sizes (of average mid-span diameters): medium (14"-16"), large (17"-19") and huge (20"-21"). The large end of these logs will measure up to an additional 8"-12" across.
  • Top quality, hand selected logs, individually selected in the forest.
  • Double-scribed lateral notches with curing kerfs, using the historic "underscribing" technique.
  • Our unique and beautiful shrink-to-fit, double-scribed corner notching system
  • A complete thru-bolting system: bottom to top using ¾" threaded rod with 1,200lb. compression springs
  • Sanded log ends and bevel cuts
  • EPDM swedish rubber and foam gasketing between all logs and around all window and door frames.

DOOR and WINDOW OPENINGS with floating frames

Allowing for log settlement a "floating frame" is installed with ample settling space above (as part of the log shell package) in preparation for the installation of the window and door units. Header logs come pre-slotted for trim to provide an attractive, maintenance-free settling system. All side cuts come beveled back and sanded smooth.

ELECTRICAL WIRING PREPARATION

Based on an individually developed blueprint showing the layout of all outlets, switches and light fixtures

1 1/4" diameter holes are pre-drilled vertically throughout the log shell. Square holes are then cut for electrical boxes and all locations are prepared for the cover plates and fixture mounts. The electrician can do all of his work after the log shell is installed.

PARTITION SLOTS

The log walls come with pre-cut slots located as predetermined by the design. These slots allow for efficient construction of the interior frame walls by the general contractor after the log shell is installed and for the proper settling of the log walls at these intersections.

LOG SECOND FLOOR FRAMING SYSTEM
(Log ceiling beams & joists)

  • Thoughtfully arranged and sized to relate to the rooms below.
  • Extended to create balconies, decks, porches, and entrance roof structures.
  • Milled flat for flooring materials with wall slots and ledge cuts to match.

LOG POSTS

  • Fully scribed connections (never flat to flat), with mortise and tenon joinery where required
  • Settling adjustment jacks where needed, either above or below the post and hidden where possible.

 

REASSEMBLY OF LOG SHELL ON OWNER'S FOUNDATION

All of our log shells are reassembled and installed on the owners foundations by our own experienced crews. Once the logs are set and the crane and trucks are gone our expert craftsmen cut out the door sill logs, install the opening frames, install lag bolts and through-bolts, make final adjustments to post jacks and take care of any final details needed to complete the log shell.


Optional Components:

LOG ROOF FRAMING (log purlins, log rafters, log trusses)

Because this part of the log structure can be as distinctive as the floor plan, we offer several layout and log size options. The most complete and dramatic roof design is a system of log purlins and log truss’s with log gable ends. With the many different truss designs to choose from and any number of window layouts possible in the gable ends, every house takes on a distinction all it’s own. Example: High Meadow Farm

Log rafter roof systems are also available and can be used whether in combination with log purlins or by themselves. Example: Champlain Vista

More elaborate and complex roof systems (fully engineered) are also available including complex hip and valley roof layouts, log dormers, hammer-beam trusses, and integrated timber framing. Examples: High Mountain Lodge and Maryland Farm Country

Extended roof overhangs are standard; 4 feet at the eves and 5 to 6 feet or more at the gable ends. All necessary milling and slot or ledge cuts are included. Example: Page Hollow

FRAMED GABLES

We provide the working drawings for the framed gables. They are then built on site by the general contractor.

The gable is the triangular section of wall above the main log walls that go all the way to the highest point in the building . The simplest and most cost efficient way to build the gable end of a log house is to frame them with conventional methods (2x6 framing, plywood, insulation and vapor barrier, interior and exterior finish materials of owners choice). They can be built to support any log roof structure design and eliminate the settling issues that come with log gables. Interior finishes can be a painted surface of plaster (or sheetrock) or any style of wood finish (v-groove paneling , wide planks, etc.). Exterior finishes can also be any style of wood (vertical boards, with or without battens, or horizontal or diagonal boards). Our most successful exterior finish has been extra thick, wide horizontal planks with a log or "live" bottom edge, overlapping the course below, much like the smaller, thinner clapboards found on framed houses, but with a rustic charm that goes well with the handcrafted logs below. We can supply these planks in full length pieces, custom sawn for each individual project. Log slab siding is possible but difficult to make to match exactly the logs below and difficult to install so they don’t look like log slabs.

LOG GABLES

Log gables often support the log roof purlins and ridge log and are a major structural element of the entire roof system. A Wooden House Co. trademark, our true log gables (not facade) make a hand-crafted log home about as rustic and totally hand-crafted as it can possibly be. Because log gables settle, extra work is required by the general contractor in completing the roof system to allow for this settling. We offer two log gable systems. One allows for settling of the roof system to occur and works well in smaller designs. We have developed another system that settles independently of the roof structure and works best with larger more complex roof designs.

OTHER SPECIALTIES

  • Archways: a curved opening through interior log wall
  • Natural features such as flared tree trunks, and curved or forked logs
  • Curved, corbelled or staggered log ends at corners
  • Half-circle windows in gable ends
  • Traditional timber framing

LOG STAIRCASES

Rugged log staircases with ½ log treads and full log stringers, custom fit and designed to allow for settling



©2004 The Wooden House Company, Ltd. All Rights Reserved Phone: 802-222-1860
Email: john@woodenhousecompany.com