Choice of material: rounded log house or planed (chopped) log
All log houses are divided into 2 types of buildings :
- buildings made of planed logs , that is, those that were processed by hand;
- buildings that are built from rounded logs .
In order to understand how to properly build a house from a log, you need to have an idea not only of the external difference between the 1st warrant and the 2nd, but also the structural one.
"Wild log house"
The history of architecture tells us that all log houses that were erected before the end of the 19th century were built from a “wild log”. This meant that the future building material was processed manually. The freshly cut log was stripped of its bark, while the bast layer should remain intact. It was he who protected the wood and its deep layers from moisture. This provided the log houses with reliable protection from fungus and mold, and increased their “service life” significantly.
The main feature of the “wild log” house was its bright and expressive shape. Non-cylindered beams gave such individuality. A sawn log tends to taper from bottom to top. After processing the wood with tools, such a difference in diameter still remained. The farther from the end, which was located at the roots, the thicker the log.
Houses made from “wild” logs completely bring their owners closer to nature Source stroy-podskazka.ru
A tall tree can be processed and divided into several logs. Sometimes it produces 2 building elements, but the ideal would be to obtain 3 parts.
The classic rule for dividing timber is as follows:
- 1 log – butt . This is the part that is located closer to the roots;
- 2 log - friend . This is the middle part of the wood;
- 3 beam - third or top . Accordingly, this is the last part of the log that approached the top.
For the construction of the house, 1 part was used - the butt. The log house in this place was the thickest, had high strength and the smallest change in diameter. And in order to compensate for those differences that remained, the beams were alternated when laying the walls: in one row the butt “looks” in one direction, in the next in the opposite direction.
When laying timber, each top log lies on the previous one with the opposite side Source en.teremki74.ru
But, despite such opportunities to simplify the construction of a house from chopped wood, you should approach the selection of building materials very carefully. After all, you need to reproduce an even and durable structure from logs of different diameters. And this is not a simple task for them.
The construction technology itself has remained virtually unchanged since those times. Houses are built using the same method: “wild logs” of different diameters are adjusted as close to each other as possible. It should be noted that houses built in this way are classified as elite and differ in price. This is dictated by a certain complexity and labor intensity of the process. After all, after erecting the frame, the house should last from 1 to 2 years. During this period, it will “shrink” in height to 10%. This factor should also be taken into account during design. So, in addition to spending time and effort on selecting building materials, it will take a lot of time and patience to see the result.
In the completed house you can see the location of the logs in relation to each other Source domsireni.ru
See also: Catalog of wooden house projects presented at the Low-Rise Country exhibition.
Rounded log
A rounded log house is a planed log in an industrial environment. On machines, the wood is brought to an ideal state: it becomes smooth and even along its entire length. On special machines, all the necessary grooves for fastening are cut into the timber. In this case, the dimensions are adjusted to the nearest millimeter, which minimizes inconvenience during construction. Building a house using such a log house is similar to assembling a children's construction set.
Rounded logs are made approximately the same size Source goldenpackrus.ru
For all its convenience, a rounded log house also has disadvantages. Ideal evenness in size and smoothness is achieved by removing several levels of wood. During the production process, “useful” layers (sapwood) are also removed, which protect the log from moisture, fungus and mold. Only the mature and hearty central part of the tree remains. It is not protected in any way from external factors. Under such conditions, it is necessary to additionally impregnate the timber with antiseptics, antifungal and anthelmintic drugs. The result is a beautiful and lightweight material for building a house. The downside is the low level of environmental friendliness and, oddly enough, durability.
Walls made of rounded timber look smooth and more neat Source profdomstroy.com
Selection of material for construction
In order to properly build a house from rounded logs, you need to know how to choose it and which material is more suitable in your region. Coniferous wood is most suitable for log houses. These are trees such as pine, spruce, cedar and larch. But if there are no desired options on the market, you can use oak, ash, aspen and other hardwoods. Spruce and pine are the most affordable in the price category. For this reason, they are the most popular.
The trunks of coniferous trees are smoother and easier to process. Source dachnaya-zhizn.ru
When choosing this type of building material, the period of the log house is very important. It is necessary to choose timber that was prepared in winter. It is he who has the best moisture resistance indicators.
The region where the tree grows is also important. If possible, choose wood from the northern regions. This material is the most durable. Good options: Baltic pine and Canadian spruce. The option of coniferous wood, which was properly harvested in compliance with all conditions and requirements, from the central regions is also very good.
Please note that the choice of beam diameter depends not only on the design decision, but also on climatic conditions. The main criterion is the maximum temperature in the winter season.
Recommendations for choosing logs according to temperature:
- if winter in your region is not lower than -20 degrees , you can stop at a diameter of 200 mm;
- when the winter maximum is -30 degrees – 220 mm;
- if the thermometer is down to -40 , choose a log that is at least 240-260 mm or more.
To lay the log house, special equipment is used, which facilitates the construction of the house Source sibirsrub.ru
The thickness of the log for building a house in the northern regions must be at least 25 cm Source master-profy12.ru
The main parameters of the log and its cuts are indicated in the table Source 90zavod.ru
It is also worth noting that by choosing a beam with a slightly larger diameter than recommended according to the climate zone, it perfectly compensates for temperature changes. The main thing is not to choose a material less than specified. Despite the fact that the house will be insulated by laying a jute or flax-jute gasket between the logs, it will not be able to provide the comfortable temperature that a log of the required size can provide.
Additional criteria that you need to pay attention to when choosing a log house:
- high-quality log of yellow or dark yellow color ;
- there should be no stains on the cut
- In good material, the core is dark in color and occupies ¾ of the cut;
- It’s good when knots , and if they are present, they should fit tightly without gaps. The opposite picture indicates a damaged core;
- The best sound for a log is a ringing one. Try hitting the end with an ax and listen to how it rings;
- the presence of cracks is possible provided that their depth is no more than 1/3 of the log;
- the timber should not be twisted: such a log during the construction of a house can only be used for laying the floor - for this it is cut into boards and bars.
The timber is selected according to several criteria; if at least one does not meet the standard, the material is changed to the required one Source fotostrana.ru
Oak
Oak is one of the most popular materials. It has higher strength and is less susceptible to cracking when dried.
Compared to pine, it is less moisture resistant, but it retains heat about the same and is even less susceptible to rotting.
Turnkey construction of houses: the right decisionArtificial stone countertops
- Combisystem Gardena
Video description
Without knowing the technology of building a house, it is easy to make many mistakes. About them in the video:
Foundation
The main and most important element of any building is the foundation. Its depth and character depend on the soil on which the house will stand, on the nature of the wall material and on the number of storeys.
A log house is relatively light in weight. This design quality allows the foundation to be shallow. Almost all options for existing types of foundations are suitable for constructing a log house. Often they make a tape version. For difficult soils, a deep strip foundation or a pile foundation is used. You can also make a slab version.
It is worth noting that any version of the foundation should go 300-400 mm into the ground. After pouring it and completely drying, it is necessary to carry out waterproofing (roofing felt with mastic). This is a very important process despite the fact that the house is made of logs.
If a strip foundation is used, it begins with the arrangement of formwork Source bel-dom-stroy.ru
When the foundation is ready, they begin laying the walls Source fabrikadomov.by
Walling
Upon completion of the foundation laying stage, they move on to the main thing - the construction of walls. It is important to know that the first crown (the first row of logs) is never placed directly on the foundation. First, a “backing” board is laid. It is made from linden timber 50-100 mm thick and at least 150 mm wide. Then they move on to assembling the walls from the rounded log house.
Mortgage crown on a shallow monolithic foundation Source domsireni.ru
The first mortgage crown must be cut from below. Its end should match the width of the backing board. This is necessary so that the house rests firmly on the foundation.
Logs for walls are laid in circles (crowns). First, logs are laid that are parallel to each other. Then the other two sides, and insulation is laid on top. It is attached to the log using a construction stapler and should hang down at the edges by 5 cm.
Then the transverse sides of the house are laid, which will rest on the mortgage crown. And we repeat the “procedure” of assembling the house like a construction set.
The assembly of the house is carried out like a “constructor”: each log has its own place Source tula.stroimdom.com
Each of the logs has its own number, which makes it easy to determine where the timber should be located Source saw-wood.ru
The walls of the house smoothly merge into the end of the roof Source domsireni.ru
Pine
Pine is a very popular material. The wood is quite hard and holds heat very well. It is also very resinous, which helps with drying because the resin gets into the pores where there was moisture and hardens.
This process is very useful because it adds moisture resistance and also reduces the risk of rot and rotting in general.
Caulk of a log house
Caulking a house is a separate important stage in its construction. Upon completion of the construction of the walls and roof, it is necessary to caulk all the insulation that was initially laid between the logs inside. To do this, using a special caulking tool, wrap the hanging 5 cm of the gasket downwards, and then push it inside between the cracks of the logs.
Having completed the caulking and roofing, the house is left to settle for a year. After a year, the caulking of the walls must be repeated. Some experts recommend repeating the “procedure” after a year of using the house with the heating on.
The insulation placed between the beams must be hidden Source vi.decorexpro.com
After caulking, the insulation is almost invisible, and there is no draft in the house Source uteplovdome.ru
Installation of doors, windows, installation of ceilings and floors
Important points when installing doors and windows is that they are installed only after the house has completely settled and only in special casing boxes that are installed in openings in the walls.
Installation of doors and windows is carried out after complete shrinkage of the log house, with the exception of houses made of kiln-dried logs - in this case they can be installed immediately Source perekrasimdom.by
Such precautions are due to the fact that wood is a “living” building material and will completely shrink in size in another 5-7 years.
The floor is installed on logs that cut into the first, or better yet, the second crown. The mortgage crown must be well ventilated in order to be subject to rotting processes as little as possible.
After installing the entrance doors, windows and laying the floor, you can install a heating system, conduct communications, connect the electrics, as well as install interior doors, slopes, baseboards and install plumbing.
There is no need to finish the walls. After all, the beauty of a log house is not only outside, but also inside. The bas-relief of slightly yellowish walls will fit into almost any interior. The main thing is to correctly emphasize the texture of the wood and complement the design with the necessary accessories. And your dream home is ready!
A log house in the forest over the water is a great place to relax from the hustle and bustle of the countryside Source houzz.com
The inside of the house does not require additional finishing, and natural wood can complement the stone Source houzz.com
One-story house made of hand-cut logs combined with stone trim Source pinterest.ca
The first floor is built of stone, the second - of logs: this combination also looks great Source houzz.es
Spruce
Spruce is like pine at maximum settings. It is more moisture resistant, retains heat better, and during processing produces many times fewer splinters, making it perhaps the best material.
The only problem is that spruce is less durable. Not critical, of course, but it’s kind of a fly in the ointment.Barn
Usually the barn is made single-layer, that is, the walls consist of one layer of wood, and the cracks between the rounded logs are covered with epoxy or any other resin.
There is also the option of using clay and hay; it is more common in the two-layer version, when a solution is poured between the layers of wood.By the way, this design holds the temperature very well and it was because of this that it was very popular in past centuries.
Project
Let's now move on to choosing a suitable project. Round log projects are usually divided into house projects and projects for gazebos, sheds and other things. And this is not surprising, because they have differences.
First of all, they have different goals. If a barn or gazebo is faced with the task of preserving its contents from moisture and wind, then the house must also retain heat and also bring aesthetic pleasure.
Algorithm for successful work from “ROYAL CEDAR”
Design. All documentation for production and accounting is compiled automatically, which reduces the possibility of error to zero. Cutting and assembling a house according to masonry crown plans is carried out 20% faster. When preparing estimates, each position can be documented.
Quality of wall material. We have 2 of our own production facilities, the plots of our logging partners are located in Siberia. There is no anthropogenic soil or air pollution here - houses from such a forest emit only beneficial phytoncides, without impurities of sulfur dioxide. Each tree is assessed by an experienced craftsman, and after cutting, the pieces are checked with an ultrasonic flaw detector. We select timber in accordance with SNiP II-25-80 and GOST 2140-81, which specify 22 quality criteria: trunk curvature and its direction, the number of knots and the nature of whorl, density and resin content, absence of damage by microbes and insects.
Qualified personnel. We know that finding real carpenters is not easy. But we solved this problem! The best Siberian carpenters work here because we:
- modern technical equipment of the production site (jib crane, mini loaders with manipulators);
- professional tools (adze, sharpened shovels, scrapers, high-power STIHL chainsaws with side chain tension);
- high profit payment;
- rational organization of the work process: permanent teams, detailed schedule of construction work, precise job descriptions.
Caulking process
The process of caulking involves stuffing the insulation hanging on them into the grooves between the logs. If everything is done correctly, the house will be warm enough even in the coldest winters. After this, the floor is laid in the house, windows are installed and doors are hung.
To make the house look more beautiful from the outside, it is covered with boards and painted. Painting is also necessary to ensure that the house lasts as long as possible.
Construction time
Construction time depends on the complexity of the project, the diameter of the log and the workload of the production site. Each stage of work takes a certain time:
- Individual design: 2-3 weeks;
- Pouring the foundation: 1 month. It is done simultaneously with cutting in production;
- Logging and cutting of a wall set: 1-2 months;
- Assembly of a log house on site: 1 month;
- Shrinkage: 9-12 months;
- Finishing, installation of communications: 4-6 months.
Timing for the construction of a log house is determined individually. The annex to the Construction Agreement specifies specific completion dates for each stage.
