Hi.. we are interested in building with a traditional log cabin design.. this is really popular in canada and NZ but not so much in Australia..does anyone know why? is there a lack of skills or is there something wrong with the wood? thanks
building with logs?
(22 posts) (12 voices)-
eidnburgh89
MemberPosted Tuesday 2 Jun 2015 @ 8:07:51 am from IP # -
wlb
MemberJust guessing. Probably the wood. Eucalypts would be too heavy, too hard, not straight enough unless milled, and prone to splitting. Radiata pine probably not good enough unless treated. Douglas fir (what we call Oregon) that they probably use in Canada and the US would probably be too expensive. Not to mention lack of experienced builders as you suggested. Having said that, there are a couple of impressive timber houses up past Mansfield in Vic.
Posted Tuesday 2 Jun 2015 @ 12:24:24 pm from IP # -
Log cabins are a form of house that is easily and quickly built by pioneers from materials that are abundant and almost free. The logs are tree trunks that must be long, very straight, and not very wide across.
I think there is only one genus of Australian tree that grows like that. It is the Callitris, the Australian Cypress, generally known as Cypress-pine.
This tree is widespread and common in inland Australia, and could have provided suitable logs. It seems that few of the pioneers had a tradition of building log cabins. At least hardly any old log cabins survive.To answer Morbo, solid wood is a pretty good insulator, but expensive to use. As to termites, some species of Callitris are used as an excellent termite-resistant building timber. (As in my house.)
Posted Tuesday 2 Jun 2015 @ 2:15:06 pm from IP # -
Lance
Key MasterWe have a small plantation opposite us that has trees of the required diameter and straightness, there's a lot of them around here. Not sure what species they are but eucalypts of some sort. Supposedly they are used for power poles when they get large enough.
Posted Tuesday 2 Jun 2015 @ 11:27:24 pm from IP # -
Lance
Key MasterLog cabins I've seen (not many, but there are some around) used a mud mix to seal between the logs. The guy in this video used mortar, which came loose, so he sealed it all with a thick clear coat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUf7HZs9V9w (around 12 mins, 50 secs). Anything that sticks to wood and stays somewhat flexible would be the best option I would expect.
Posted Wednesday 3 Jun 2015 @ 12:09:17 am from IP # -
Bushwalker
MemberThose are the traditional hand built log cabins. Old School.
Today, there is the opportunity to build a strong, well sealed log cabin using routed logs. The machinery is here, but not well known. I have seen the results on KI and the cabin was very good.
From:
http://www.timbertools.com/Products/Shingmatic-Log-Milling-Machine.htmlI don't know if that is the same machine but the results look similar. I have also seen logs that were routed but not turned smooth like that log. No idea where the machine is located.
Posted Wednesday 3 Jun 2015 @ 12:24:11 am from IP # -
Greg
MemberIf you can't source long straight timbers, go for stacked cord wood. You have options of mixing in stone pillars etc and they look great in my opinion.
They can offer many advantages over traditional log style construction. You can have a concrete strip foundation to take care of termites (or stone and concrete which looks great).The stacked cord wood is mortared into the wall using a mix containing sawdust to increase insulation. If the logs are , for example 600mm long, then you mortar the inside and outside say third and fill the section between with insulation. You can use straw, cob or synthetic insulation.
Lots of stuff on the web if you are interested.
eg
http://masonrydesign.blogspot.ca/2011/12/masonry-and-wood.html?m=1
Some examples here http://www.inspirationgreen.com/cordwood-construction.htmlPosted Wednesday 3 Jun 2015 @ 12:40:39 am from IP # -
Lance
Key MasterBW, I'm sure machined logs make for a faster, simpler build, but they remove one of the reasons you would build a log cabin, ie the look of the finished cabin. Also, it means you are dependent on a very specific machine to get your materials, when log cabins are usually built because of the supply of readily available logs and ability to be built with basic tools.
I'm not likely to build either type, but if I were it would be the more natural looking design, using machined logs seems pointless, you might as well build from CLT which would be faster.
Posted Wednesday 3 Jun 2015 @ 1:27:30 am from IP # -
Bushwalker
MemberWell, we built a log home in the '70's and lived in it. It was neither of these styles we are talking about here, but I think we're talking cross purposes.
The problem with hand built log cabins is the difficulty in sealing them to modern standards. Mud and varnish isn't going to cut it.
You can have rough logs, plane and router them and assemble your cabin. It will look the same as a traditional cabin. The cabin I saw in KI was done like that, and the logs were processed on site, not in a factory thousands of km away.
I don't know that it is possible, but I expect it probably is: If I were to build a log home, I would want a flat internal surface with a rough log external surface. The internal log faces just accumulate dust and detritus and look pretty cruddy after a few years.
Posted Wednesday 3 Jun 2015 @ 1:49:45 am from IP # -
wlb
MemberLance said:
We have a small plantation opposite us that has trees of the required diameter and straightness, there's a lot of them around here. Not sure what species they are but eucalypts of some sort. Supposedly they are used for power poles when they get large enough.Those are power poles, Lance. The wires are a dead giveaway.
Posted Wednesday 3 Jun 2015 @ 5:34:38 am from IP # -
Adamc73
MemberThere's a log cabin builder in Mansfield victoria I've driven past heaps of times have a look at there website http://www.greatbearloghomes.com.au
Posted Wednesday 3 Jun 2015 @ 6:40:54 am from IP # -
Brad Child
MemberHere's how ya do it in Oz !!!
Posted Thursday 28 Jul 2016 @ 6:14:16 pm from IP # -
KayKay
MemberLatest issue of The Owner Builder magazine carries an add for a three week instructional log building course in New Zealand. Will be run from 23 January to 9 February 2017. Cost is NZ$2625; this doesn't include air fare, accommodation or breakfast & dinner. You can find out further information here: http://www.logbuildingnz.org.nz/course.htm
Posted Friday 29 Jul 2016 @ 3:41:55 am from IP # -
david_woods
MemberHi,
Australia is the fourth biggest market for log cabins, behind the US, UK and Canada.
Termites may be an issue, due to your climate, but actually they can be prevented with proper treatment and felling of trees.
If you haven't yet read this wiki on building a log cabin then definitely give it a read http://www.logcabinhub.com/how-to-build-a-log-cabin/.
Good luck with your build
Posted Tuesday 23 May 2017 @ 11:28:27 am from IP #
