Anatomy of a Log Home

Every region, every product

1. 01The site and the planThe lot, and the drawings the whole house is cut from.
   • Floor plans
   • Scaled Study Set
   • Plans Package
   • Design Package
   • The plan store ↗
   • INSIGHT
   • VISION
2. 02Foundation and floorA stem wall, the floor framing on it, and the subfloor the first log sits on.
   • Conventional framing
   • Girders
   • Joists
   • PWT
   • Rosboro
   • AdvanTech
   • Simpson Strong-Tie
3. 03The first course, sealedThe sill course on its wall pan, and what goes between every log above it.
   • Wall pan
   • Gasket
   • Caulking
   • Expandable foam
   • Post linings
   • Wall fasteners
   • Shear pins
   • Specialty fasteners
   • Sashco
   • Perma-Chink Systems
   • Caulking and dispensing guns
4. 04The log wallsEleven courses of 10 inch round logs, Swedish cope, saddle notched at the corners.
   • Round logs
   • D-logs
   • Timber logs
   • Compare the three profiles
   • Wall Logs
   • Species
   • Surface finish
   • Cutting
   • Grading
   • Moisture and settling
   • Stack height calculator
   • Drill bits
   • Grinding discs
   • Power tools, as needed
   • Stains, caulks and chinking
   • Ready Seal
5. 05Windows and doorsTwo windows in the front wall and the door onto the deck, each in a lined, flashed opening.
   • Window and door openings
   • Opening lining
   • Flashing tape
   • Windows and doors
   • Henry
   • Trim
   • Entrances
6. 06The gable and its sidingThe gable above the end wall, in timber-log siding that reads as the wall below it.
   • Sidings
   • The mill's sidings
   • Standard patterns
   • Board and batten, 1x10 or 1x12 / 1x3, standard
   • Board and batten, 1x10 or 1x12 / 5/4x3, WUI compliant
   • 2×8 log siding
   • 3×10 log siding
   • Hand hewn siding
   • Coverage calculator
7. 07The roof systemA log ridge beam, purlins each side, an exterior truss under the gable overhang, fascia and sheathing.
   • Roof system
   • Ridges
   • Purlins
   • Trusses
   • Timbers
   • Logs
   • ZIP System
   • Simpson Strong-Tie
   • Rothoblaas
   • Calc-It
8. 08The loft systemHeavy log girders on log posts, tongue and groove decking over them, and the loft railing.
   • Loft system
   • Girders
   • Posts
   • Tongue and groove decking
   • Guard rail
   • Stair rail
   • Log or timber on steel rail
   • Picket
   • Loft ladders
9. 09Stairs and railingTwo 12 inch log horses, half-log treads notched into them, and a log stair rail.
   • Stairs and railing
   • Log stair system
   • Timber stair system
   • Railing and stairs
10. 10The deck and entrancePosts, perimeter girders and headers, decking, the railing and three steps down to grade.
    • Deck and porch framework
    • Cedar decking
    • Headers
    • Posts
    • Trex
    • Moisture Shield
    • Screw Products
    • SPAX
    • Ready Seal
    • The lumber yard
    • DIGIT
    • The Chico store
11. 11The shade structureFour 8 by 8 posts, doubled headers and rafters over the deck: a pergola in rough sawn cedar.
    • Shade structures
    • Carports
    • Shade structures
    • The Sequoia
    • The Mt. Lassen
    • The Lake Clark
    • The Yosemite
    • The Yellowstone
    • The Grand Teton
    • The Arches
    • The Zion
    • The Acadia
    • The Denali
    • Pergola kits ↗
    • Simpson Strong-Tie
12. 12Specialty and furnitureA D-log bench on the deck, and the pieces the mill makes from what the walls leave over.
    • Benches
    • Mantels
    • Furniture
    • Landscape pieces
    • Specialty