Is this fellow crazy or does he have an idea that just needs some refinement? He plans to build a vertical log cabin in Alaska and he shares his ideas in this video.
As you probably know, 99.9% of all log homes built in the lower 48 utilize horizontal logs stacked atop each other. I am not an architect or a building expert, but I envision a multitude of problems with this concept – especially for a home in Alaska. Plumbing challenges alone make me question the feasibility of this type of design (as explained in the video).
I’d love to hear from the experts in our industry… can this log cabin be built to accommodate Alaskan winters? What other problems will this fellow expect with such a design?
What’s your opinion? Share your comments below…
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have never been a fan of stockade style log homes. I also think there would be more electrical issues related to design. Other than addressing log shrinkage why would anyone go this route?
How are you attaching the vertical logs to your bottom log and header log. The vertical logs, are they going to be flattened on two sides first and do you plan on chinking in between? What materials do you plan on using for the rafters and sheeting? A rubber membrane of sorts would be a good choice for the underside of your subfloor and a sealant for the sheeting is a good idea -some subfloor sheeting has a waterproofing in it already. Your wife must be one of the good ones. Goodluck to you.
Good comments Ben.
We actually featured a similar style home in our Cozy Cabins issue of Country’s Best Log Homes last year. Although not nearly as far north as Alaska, the Oregon-based structures have stood for 75-plus years and were able to be successfully retrofitted with electricity and plumbing. The original property owner built them himself as well. Although there may issues with today’s building codes, especially given the man’s region, the idea isn’t completely out of left field.
Tom, please go to http://www.buildingscience.com. and to the Department of Energy’s “Building America” website, so you can better understand building science and that your home is a system of systems.
You must take all components into consideration and how they will perform and interact with each other as you make your choices.
In your climate region, high R-values, air sealing and ventilation will be critical.
I would strongly recommend constructing your building envelope using Structural Insulated Panels (SIP).
You can add 1/2 log siding to the exterior and interior if you wish, but you’ll want to install a rain screen behind your exterior cladding.
There are other ways to achieve high R-values and good air sealing if you are budget concious.
Using SIP’s will get you under-roof the quickest and are very simple to work with.
Please realize that you intend to build in a cold climate. Your heating costs and indoor air quality are two very important considerations.
Follow “best practices” called-out at Building America and building science.
Another good resource is http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com
You may want to change your apporach, once you learn that the laws of physics will apply to the operation and durability aspects of your project. I would strongly recommend SIP’s for floor system, wall system and roof system. Consider a heat recovery ventilator or energy recovery ventolator to help manage air quality and indoor humidity.
Your fuel consumption will be greatly reduced and your health and your structure will not be at risk.
Please think long term, before you pour your heart, soul and financial resources into your residence.
Happy learning and good luck. Randy
Whitney, I believe I remember seeing that, I’ll have to dig around for that back issue. Thanks for the tip and your comments… regarding “building codes”, I doubt they will cause him any problems in such a remote area. Depending where you build here in Montana, codes are enforced – or don’t exist.
Randy,
Thanks for taking the time to share your insight with us, you’re a wealth of information. Also, those two links are excellent resources…. I just spent the last 20 mins. on them while I probably should have been doing more constructive things
Many thanks.
Hi Tom,
I have been living in a vertical log cabin for 12 yrs now and the structure was erected in 1938! I am located near Timmins Ontario and the climate is very similar to the interior of Alaska. Temperatures of minus 35-40 degrees celsius along with snow levels of 3-4 feet are quite normal here. I must add that the building is pretty rustic in its construction and that there has never been any structural problems to date. Up until 4 yrs ago (at which time i crawled underneath and installed sona tubes) the cabin sat on crude concrete pads so it was floating around quite dramatically in the winter. My point being that even tho it floated the building never lost any of it’s integrity so in my opinion it is indeed a very sound choice and a lot easier to construct for the do-it yourself type.
All the best to you!
Ben
Hey Ben,
Thanks for sharing this with us, it sounds great. If you’d like to share some pictures with us, I’d be pleased to post them here with any other comments you might have. I find this subject very interesting. Thanks again.