Log Cabins - how to

[gone camping]

So, I'm getting ready to build a little log cabin on my acreage north of Edmonton and I have a ton of unknowns. Top of the list: I have just enough large spruce to do it with, but would hate to harvest my most beautiful trees for something that won't work long term. Any experience out there? Wikipedia says spruce isn't suggested for outdoor furniture, and the further north it comes from, the softer it is. They're dense with limbs too, and I'm wondering if these are the reasons I can't find much info or examples of log cabins being built with it. I took one down last Fall, limbed and peeled it, sealed the butts and spread linseed oil on it. 6 months later, it still has its natural golden color and hasn't checked or bowed in the slightest. So far, so good, right? Somebody please set me straight if I'm not on the right track.

Thanks in advance for any advice that can be offered.

[dewalt18]

Having worked on numerous log buildings over the years, I believe you are way off track. That being said, there's more that I don't know than there is that I do. I would strongly recommend seeking the advice of a professional log builder. It is a science unto itself, and unless you know what you're doing, and do it properly, you'd he just as far ahead to use your timber for firewood

[HoytCRX32]

Two words...."carpenter ants"
Destroyed a buddy's home made log cabin in a couple of years

[fish_e_o]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJKd0rkKss&ab_channel=swererbob

i have the dvd :)

[coachman]

Spruce are harder to work with. They have more taper and limbs then pine. If you want something that will last buy cedar. Make sure you have a good overhang on the roof.

[Kurt505]

I built a log cabin in 1997 using spruce and tamarack, no preservative whatsoever and it's still solid today. The worst damage it has sustained is from dam woodpeckers and squirrels. I'm sure if you're just building a cabin, and you'll be using a preservative on the logs, you'll be fine. My biggest piece of advice would be to make sure you build a rock solid foundation and do whatever it takes to keep it rodent proof. I have a solid foundation but it's the rodents that have done the damage.

[artie]

One good thing you have is the trees are from the area and should not crack as much. Sometimes when you bring trees from B.C. they are used to a moist environment and when they come to Alberta they dry and crack. It is the cracks that flies get into and lay their eggs and then you have fly problems.

[ROAD HAMMER]

I built a log cabin on my trapline it was lots of work and a great learning experience. I used all pine

[Big Grey Wolf]

My partner and I build log cabins on our trapline and have built other log homes. Spruce is fine to build, you are on the right track by peeling then a coating of linseed and varsol. If you provide good roof overhang you will be gone before the cabin. To control rodent place all your cuttings between joists then dust a few sacks of lime. Also use both fiberglass insulation and Great stuff spray sealant, will keep both rodents and flies out of your scribed joints.

[gone camping]

Having worked on numerous log buildings over the years, I believe you are way off track. That being said, there's more that I don't know than there is that I do. I would strongly recommend seeking the advice of a professional log builder. It is a science unto itself, and unless you know what you're doing, and do it properly, you'd he just as far ahead to use your timber for firewood
I'm happy to be told I'm wrong but wondering, what's the basis for your opinion? Please elaborate. All the pro builders want to sell me their own product, and past quotes have come in as high as new house price levels. No thanks on that. My logs are free and I can scribe them myself.

[gone camping]

My partner and I build log cabins on our trapline and have built other log homes. Spruce is fine to build, you are on the right track by peeling then a coating of linseed and varsol. If you provide good roof overhang you will be gone before the cabin. To control rodent place all your cuttings between joists then dust a few sacks of lime. Also use both fiberglass insulation and Great stuff spray sealant, will keep both rodents and flies out of your scribed joints.
Thanks for that! Would you say the same if it were chinked?

[gone camping]

I built a log cabin on my trapline it was lots of work and a great learning experience. I used all pine
Interesting! Thanks for the post. Unfortunately, I have less pine than spruce, and none of it is straight. It's some other breed of it I guess.

[gone camping]

One good thing you have is the trees are from the area and should not crack as much. Sometimes when you bring trees from B.C. they are used to a moist environment and when they come to Alberta they dry and crack. It is the cracks that flies get into and lay their eggs and then you have fly problems.
Great point! Thanks!

[gone camping]

I built a log cabin in 1997 using spruce and tamarack, no preservative whatsoever and it's still solid today. The worst damage it has sustained is from dam woodpeckers and squirrels. I'm sure if you're just building a cabin, and you'll be using a preservative on the logs, you'll be fine. My biggest piece of advice would be to make sure you build a rock solid foundation and do whatever it takes to keep it rodent proof. I have a solid foundation but it's the rodents that have done the damage.
Ok, got it. Good to hear! Much appreciated.

[gone camping]

Spruce are harder to work with. They have more taper and limbs then pine. If you want something that will last buy cedar. Make sure you have a good overhang on the roof.
Yeah, I'm not budgeted to buy someone else's logs, but it would be preferable to save my own. Thanks for mentioning the overhang. Makes perfect sense.

[gone camping]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJKd0rkKss&ab_channel=swererbob

i have the dvd :)
Right! Good ol' Dick did it! I believe that cabin is still standing today, actually. Thanks for the reminder!

[gone camping]

Two words...."carpenter ants"
Destroyed a buddy's home made log cabin in a couple of years
Copy. Thanks.

[Richftmac]

We build a large log cabin on our trap line 25 years ago using spruce and have had no problems. Biggest mistake was not paying enough attention to the taper of the longest logs and the size of the next log to seat in that joint. Quite a bit a notching required to make them fit together. Also look for a twist in the grain of the tree this leads to cracking in a spiral the length of the log. Scribing the length log and adding some foam insulation prevents some drafts. As said by others a good foundation and preservative will give many tears of comfort.

[Richftmac]

Years and some tears LOL

[357xp]

The number one failure in all the old trappers cabins I've seen is the roof, put a good roof on it and it will last your life time.
2nd, peel the logs right away and let them dry one summer, then build.
And don't put your logs on the ground, put them on a good foundation.

[avb3]

Girdle the trees you are planning to use in the fall or winter of the year prior to use, and they will show little to no warp, and should be quite dry when you do fell them. It's a system used for centuries if not millenium.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Camper you do not need to chink if you do proper scribbing and insulation, They will fit bottom log almost perfect, however takes some skill. You need to also drill and pound 1 inch dowels about 2 ft long ever 4 feet before set next log, will stop any twisting.

[Halfton]

I know nothing of building a cabin,but I saw this on the web and thought it might be an interesting alternative to actual log walls.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll198/Halfton49/Jims%20Junk/log1_zpsumiuscdi.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/Halfton49/media/Jims%20Junk/log1_zpsumiuscdi.jpg.html)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll198/Halfton49/Jims%20Junk/log3_zpsjhdurk0a.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/Halfton49/media/Jims%20Junk/log3_zpsjhdurk0a.jpg.html)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll198/Halfton49/Jims%20Junk/log2_zpsh6ayommw.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/Halfton49/media/Jims%20Junk/log2_zpsh6ayommw.jpg.html)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll198/Halfton49/Jims%20Junk/log11_zpsxstrzywp.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/Halfton49/media/Jims%20Junk/log11_zpsxstrzywp.jpg.html)

Jim