Projects of houses made of round logs. How to make a log house from round timber correctly

The owner of the house bears the name Bulat, which is rare for our region. Not surprising, considering that he comes from Kazakhstan, where he has a successful business. Another thing is surprising: for Bulat, this house became the fourteenth that he built in his life. Of course, I didn’t have the opportunity to live in all of them - some of the houses were built for children and relatives, but the fact remains: by the time he ordered a house made of round timber, Bulat had enormous experience in house building. For the company he approached, this became a unique challenge: it was necessary to please the customer in every detail. And this is what happened in the end... Word to the owner.

Born in USSR

Now I have several houses: one in Kazakhstan, one with my mother-in-law in Ukraine, and now I have one in Belarus. Hear words about independent states It’s unusual for me, I am, so to speak, “born in the USSR.” And I sincerely love post-Soviet countries, I had the opportunity to travel and live in most of the republics. Each of them has something unique, good, and memorable. Belarus is a great place to live: nature, forests, air, sympathetic and kind people. And although I have built 14 houses in my life, it was here that I decided to get a house made of round timber.

Living in a wooden house is an old dream. She appeared after four years spent in Siberia, in Tomsk. I lived there in the apartment of a tanner, in a real Siberian cedar log house. At that time, this house was 100 years old, it was already considered a monument of wooden architecture. And not so long ago I returned to Tomsk, to the same street where I lived - this house stands, no matter what. It has been standing for 130 years. I was so impressed that I firmly decided to build my own house from round timber.

Of course, there were concerns. For me, this is my first experience with wooden construction; previous houses were made of more standard materials: brick and gas silicate blocks. In Kazakhstan, where I come from, there is not much wood, the climate is different, so wooden houses almost no construction. And in Belarus - God himself commanded. All that remains is to find a company with experience in the construction of log houses and agree on the details. After searching, the choice fell on the Ecohome company.



Design and construction

They decided to build a one-story house. Most of the time my wife and I live here alone, why do we need a second floor? And in general, I think that in most cases this is excess, wasted money: my mother two-storey house, so she hasn’t come to the second floor for a year and a half. For older people - 100% true. extra expenses, no one uses the second floor. The architect of the Ecohome company agreed with us, and after numerous meetings and negotiations, the house project was agreed upon.

The foundation is pile-grillage, with a monolithic slab on top. They did this because of the height difference across the site - more than one and a half meters. We didn't plan on having a basement, so we chose this type of foundation so as not to spend too much. In addition, the basement is always damp and heat leaks. For hot countries, going deep into the ground is even reasonable; with the Belarusian climate, this is unnecessary.

Regarding the forest, I completely trusted Dmitry (director of the Ecohome company - editor's note). The forest, of course, is winter, the logs are 240 mm in diameter. I am satisfied with the quality of the wood: the wooden house has been standing for four years, during which time only two cracks have appeared: one on the outside, one on the inside. We sealed them with sealant - and no problems.

It took a year for the frame to shrink. After that, the windows were installed and the interior and exterior decoration began. Last stages I had already personally monitored the work; my wife Lyudmila and I arrived and began to live in an old house, furnishing it for temporary residence. I supervised the finishing work myself, my wife was responsible for the interior design, selection of materials, etc. This is an important point: if organized correctly Finishing work- you can move into the house very quickly. We moved in 7-8 months after the box was erected. During the same six months, the foundations for the bathhouse and summer kitchen/garage were poured, a fence was erected, and all communications were laid for outbuildings and street networks.

The house has a “second light”, the roof is hemmed under the ridge, and at the ends there are two attic space. Our insulation system is non-standard: the entire attic was flooded liquid polyurethane foam layer 120 mm, the density was chosen to be high so that you could walk on the frozen foam. In the attic we have something like a technical floor, there is electrical wiring. The main advantage of polyurethane foam (in addition to thermal conductivity) is its seamlessness, insulation is obtained without a single crack, and heat does not escape to the street. On the slopes (where the “second light” is) the insulation is also made with polyurethane foam.

By the way, the heating in the house is combined: heated floors and radiators. The heat in the house is retained due to the good thermal conductivity of wood: to maintain the temperature, you need to heat the boiler less; we spend pennies on gas in winter.

The most labor-intensive part of the process was sanding the walls. They are sanded in two stages: rough, and final, for painting. After painting, the walls are ready. Compared to plasterboard sheathing, the savings in time (and money!) are colossal. Judge for yourself, in the case of a stone house you need to: install the profiles, make a vapor barrier under them, glue all the seams after installing the drywall, putty, sand, prime, and only then paint. Here it is much easier and faster.

Of course, before this you still need to caulk all the logs and seal the seams with sealant - this is also a piece of work and financial costs. A familiar team of Ukrainians caulked the house, using the old fashioned way - they “pierced” every crack with a hammer and a screwdriver. I personally checked the quality of the work every day. But this part relates more to the construction of the walls than to the decoration: if you don’t caulk, there will be no heat in the house.

Interior and design

The house is made in two colors. My wife likes it light shade, to me it’s dark, so we can say that we shared the house (smiles.- Note ed.). The interior design was done according to the individual design project of Lyudmila’s wife: colors, furniture and textiles. At the project stage, the living area with two bedrooms was separated from the guest area (living room and kitchen). We did this for convenience: so that the guests who often visit us do not move around in the host’s area. Bedrooms with a separate entrance from the street are a common occurrence in European architecture, so we decided to borrow this experience.

At first they planned that the entrance hall and corridor would be open, something like a terrace. But later this idea was abandoned: in winter, running from wing to wing is not very convenient. They installed a heated floor and glazed it - it turned out to be a spacious, well-lit hallway-hallway.

From the living room there is another exit to the covered veranda, which is a great place to sit, think, and read.

Almost all the furniture in the house is attached, it was design solution. The walls in the house move for the first two or three years, so almost all the furniture is on the floor. We didn’t even make an exception for the kitchen: we don’t have wall cabinets, everything is stored in floor cabinets and two cabinets. We stylized the cooking area with a wall made of painted clinker bricks, which lags behind the main log wall. In addition to being decorative, this wall also has a practical function: food preparation products do not fall on the wood and are not absorbed into it.

In the bathroom/toilet they made a similar design and technical solution: they “crashed” into the frame with a clinker brick wall, to which the bathroom adjoins. The wall was painted and covered with Remmers waterproof varnish. Both convenient and practical - log wall behind the clinker “breathes”, moisture does not get on it.

The two bedrooms are each furnished differently. Men's - in calm colors natural wood, women's - light, in a classic style.

They decided to put either a fireplace or a stove in this area of ​​the living room, but have not decided yet. The opening has so far been filled with natural stone interspersed with mica. It turned out to be a good design solution, albeit temporary.

The house itself cost us 110,000 USD. with a total area of ​​147 sq.m. But, again, the price depends on what finishing materials you choose. For example, we have expensive Italian tiles on the floor: about 45 USD. per sq. m., French plumbing and earthenware. We used high-quality wood impregnations, from well-known manufacturers and with a guarantee of at least 10 years, the sealant was not very budget-friendly, etc. In a word, everything was done with high quality and from high-quality, expensive materials, although it could have been cheaper - it all depends on the budget and preferences.

Location on

Separate buildings on the site include a guest house with a garage and a summer kitchen, a bathhouse with a relaxation room and an open terrace.

There is a Russian stove in the guest building - not only for heating, but also for everyday cooking. Meat, duck, bread - you can bake everything in it. The Ukrainians laid it, they even brought special white clay from their homeland. The stove, of course, will still crack little by little - the technology is the most traditional, all stoves crack. But this room is ideal for receiving guests: here you can wear shoes, there is a large table, food can be served straight from the stove... Well, if anyone gets tired, there is a bed nearby.

The room is adjacent to the garage. We combined a garage with a summer kitchen in order not to build a separate building: we saved on the foundation, common roof etc. Everything inside the garage is painted in a gray metallic primer, the floor is self-leveling and wear-resistant. Unlike summer kitchen The garage is not heated. But this is good for the car: from cold to warm, without washing the car - this leads to rust.

The bathhouse has a steam room with a wood-burning heater. Opposite the exit from the steam room there is a washing area, with a separate water drive into a tilting bucket, it is very convenient to shower yourself after the “steam”.

On the site there is a distinctive outdoor toilet, which the Ecohome company built for me free of charge, as a bonus. It seems like a small thing, but it adds some originality to the landscape.

Conclusion: I'm happy with the house. Compared to stone, the air here is different, it’s easier to breathe. A different aura, if you like. After we lived in it, we began to understand the importance of the layout of the house, its advantages and disadvantages. But now, having this knowledge, I understand what an ideal wooden house can become. Therefore, now I want to move out of my stone house in Almaty and build another wooden one there... Whether I will stop there, I don’t know. But for now I understand that it is in a wooden house that life is most comfortable.

Interviewed by: Dmitry Malakhov

Log houses are very popular in many countries, as they are environmentally friendly and attractive in appearance. Such buildings are most often chosen by people who want to move away from ultra-modern and futuristic design ideas. After reading this article, you will learn how to assemble and install a log house.

What it is?

Getting ready to move on to consideration of construction technology log house, it’s worth understanding what a log house is.

A log house is an environmentally friendly and beautiful structure consisting of wooden logs. Such structures do not have a floor, roof or sheathing. Simply put, a log house is a “bare” frame of a house.

Similar buildings are ideal solutions for those people who want to “put” a house or bathhouse in as soon as possible. In addition, the log house is popular because it has an affordable price. This attracts many consumers.

Features and types

Wooden houses have always been in demand, and this is explained not only by their natural appearance, but also by their good performance characteristics. Such dwellings have always been warm in the winter, and cool and as comfortable as possible in the summer.

Currently, wooden buildings are still relevant, despite big choice building materials that can be used to build reliable and durable houses. Consumers prefer a log house because its construction takes very little time, and all the necessary stages of work cannot be called too complicated.

It is quite natural that modern log houses are very different from those buildings that were common in the distant past. Today, such homes can be decorated in any style. Log buildings that have a fireplace and appropriate decorative elements - for example, fluffy floor carpets - look especially harmonious and cozy.

Our ancestors built wooden houses with their own hands, although working with timber cannot be considered very simple. Today, you can create a frame building not only on your own, but also by turning to a team of professionals (with special tools and extensive experience).

For the construction of a log house, coniferous wood is most often used. The most popular are pine and spruce. Such materials are not only environmentally friendly and fragrant, but also relatively inexpensive. If your budget allows, you can build a log house from alder, oak or larch. These materials will cost much more than spruce or pine, but their appearance and performance characteristics justify the high prices.

A special feature of log buildings is that they are often built in the winter season. Some experts say that such construction is more profitable, since, for example, a coniferous tree at low temperatures is not susceptible to fungal attack. In addition, craftsmen claim that in winter the wood becomes more pliable and easier to process.

When planning to build a log house, you need to take its design as seriously as possible. It is necessary to think through absolutely all the details and little things, taking into account the following distinctive features of natural material:

  • Do not forget that wooden buildings always shrink over time;
  • such materials can be twisted;
  • wooden blanks must be of a suitable size (there are certain restrictions);
  • The log house is not designed for too heavy loads.

If you draw up a plan for your future home with errors, then in the future the entire structure may turn out uneven and skewed. In addition, unsightly cracks and other defects may appear on the wood, which will be impossible to get rid of.

Log buildings are also distinguished by the fact that their service life can be extended if proper care is provided. If you neglect this rule, the house may not last long, quickly losing its aesthetic appearance.

Currently, there are several types of log buildings. Their names come from the number of wall coverings present in the structure. Most often in our time we find the following options for log houses.

Chetverik

This is the name of a four-walled log house, which is also called “four-walled”. It is rightfully recognized as the simplest, even uncomplicated, and therefore occurs most often.

The name of such a log house speaks for itself: it has four walls. As a rule, the quadrangle design has a square, diamond-shaped or rectangular shape.

Five-walled

As you can see from the name, there are five walls in this building. Externally, this log house is a quadrangular frame with an additional partition - the fifth wall. A five-wall structure is two 2 four-wall structures with one common overlap.

Six-walled

The six-wall is a more advanced version of the five-wall. This building differs from the above in that it has 2 partitions. Moreover, they are all located on external floors. The room is divided into 3 or even 4 rooms.

Octagon

Not every consumer knows what a log house with this name is. This design is more complex, but also more attractive. An octagon is a luxurious octahedron in which all corners form a single space.

Povalushka

The log house with this memorable name is something like a tower built into the main structure, which has a roof.

All of the listed types of log houses are the most common and frequently encountered. Of course, there are more original, unusual designs (non-standard shapes and sizes). Before use, the wood is processed manually or by machine. If the residual pieces of bark are not removed from the material, then the bars are called “barked logs.”

Log structures can differ from each other not only in the materials used and the number of walls, but also in the corner connections. There are several main options for such “locks” that are used in the production of log frames.

"In the paw"

Otherwise, such a locking structure is called an angle without a remainder (refers to Russian cutting). In such a structure, logs are fastened to each other using special wooden locks, which are cut down to the end of the logs. In this case, the ends do not fall outside the walls of the log house. Similar designs have been used before, as they have an aesthetic appearance. However, buildings with an angle without a trace also have their weaknesses, which you should be aware of before constructing them:

  • It should be noted that such a corner will be ventilated and quite cold. It will require better and more efficient insulation.
  • If you do not fasten the logs together using dowels, the resulting log house may not be as stable and reliable as you planned.

With the remainder

In structures that have corners with a remainder, the ends of the logs protrude beyond the walls of the log house by about 20-30 cm. This angle is considered more reliable. In addition, it is made easily and quickly, and the result is a windproof and quite warm part.

Today, many craftsmen use the angle with the remainder when constructing a log house.

"To the brink"

With this type of angle, small recesses are selected in the upper and lower logs, into which the products are then “fitted.” In this case, the hole in the lower log must correspond to the size of the lower one (and vice versa).

Currently, this type of angle is used very rarely, since it can be quite problematic to adjust and make it windproof. It is permissible to use a part “in the okhryap” if it is necessary that the ridges of all the logs of the crown are in the same horizontal plane.

"Into the bowl"

The most common angle is rightfully recognized as the “bow angle”. The main advantages of this option are ease of manufacture and excellent thermal properties.

You can also distinguish an option called “upper bowl” - a clap-reflection of the “lower part” vertically. In this case, the bowl rests on the log.

However, it is worth considering that today this (“upper bowl”) type of angle is used much more often than the “lower” one, since it is produced in a simple way and does not require serious energy costs.

“A cup in the fat tail”

This is the name of another type of angle, which can be used both when building a house and when building a bathhouse. The main advantage of such an element is that it is not blown and has a design that makes it very easy to work with.

This angle is distinguished by the fact that in the lower part of its bowl there is always a small protrusion running along the log. In this case, a suitable notch is selected in the log, which is placed on the bowl.

Canadian and Norwegian cabins (carriage)

Norwegian logging is most often found in Scandinavian countries. With this method, not round, but oval half-bars are used for building houses (otherwise such a part is called a “carriage”). Such logs are sawn through on a sawmill on both sides.

During Norwegian felling, the projections on the walls are sawed off, after which a rather dense bowl is made in the corner areas and overcuts. This structure has a positive effect on the thermal insulation properties of the structure. However, it is recommended to protect the log house with the gun carriage from blowing. To do this, you need to install special seals - caulking.

Canadian logging is in many ways similar to Norwegian logging and has all its positive qualities.

The main similarity between the two methods is that with them everything connecting elements self-jamming. During the drying process, the crowns become more dense, forming an almost complete monolithic wall.

The Canadian logging method is considered complex and labor-intensive. The tree must be adjusted as precisely as possible and prepared for work. It is recommended to carry out such work only experienced craftsmen who have previously encountered similar processes.

Advantages and disadvantages

Log houses are very popular today. Every person wants to have a home in which he will be as comfortable and cozy as possible, and such buildings cope perfectly with such tasks.

Log houses have both advantages and disadvantages. You should definitely familiarize yourself with them if you are going to install such a structure on the site.

First, let’s look at the advantages of log structures:

  • The main advantage of a log house is its environmental friendliness. Nowadays, safe materials that do not contain toxic compounds are becoming increasingly rare, which is why natural and safe products are so valued among modern consumers.
  • Another advantage of log buildings is their appearance. Moreover, we are talking not only about an attractive facade, but also about the harmonious interior of the home. Staying in such an environment is a pleasure and allows you to relax.
  • Some log houses do not require additional insulation, so during their construction you can save a lot cash. There is no need to insulate buildings built from logs with a diameter of 25 cm.
  • The microclimate in a log house is ideal for people suffering from certain diseases. Experts say that coniferous materials have a positive effect on human health. This is why in the past many people turned to pine treatments.

  • Natural and high-quality log house is practical material, which does not require special attention. It doesn't need to be processed antiseptic impregnations or antifungal agents. It is worth considering that wood (especially coniferous) emits a lot of resin, which plays the role of a natural antiseptic.
  • When constructing a log building, logs of such length are used that the materials are consumed very economically, and the integrity large areas remains untouched.
  • Houses made from planed material have a long service life. It is believed that for such buildings 100 years is not the limit.
  • When decorating houses built from natural materials, you can significantly save on finishing.
  • Craftsmen (both experienced and beginners) say that erecting a log house does not take much time.

Thanks to the large number of positive qualities, log buildings are in great demand today. However, they are not ideal - such houses have their own disadvantages, among which the following features can be noted:

  • To many consumers, such buildings seem quite expensive. A high-quality and reliable log house should not be built from cheap and low-grade material.
  • Some structures are difficult to construct. Such buildings include oak houses. It is not recommended to do such constructions yourself - it is better to entrust this painstaking and time-consuming work to more experienced people.
  • Do not count on the fact that you will be able to celebrate a housewarming in the first autumn, summer or winter after the construction of the building, since you first need to wait for it to shrink.
  • Particular attention must be paid to the foundation. Even a small log house will have an impressive weight, so you should not rely on piles or pillars (the exception is a bathhouse). Without a high-quality and reliable foundation, a log structure can topple - despite its external compactness.
  • The log house must be treated with antiprene, which makes the structure more fireproof. It is not recommended to neglect this process.
  • Majority modern houses from a log requires regular care. Of course, really quality materials do not rot, however, today there are more often logs that still need to be treated with antiseptic compounds.

Of course, many problems associated with a log house can be avoided if it is properly processed and installed correctly. In addition, it is very important to use high-quality natural materials for construction.

Wood requirements

To build a log house, you need to carefully select wood. It must meet certain requirements so that the result is a durable and strong structure.

The diameter of the logs plays an important role. For the construction of houses, it is recommended to use materials with a diameter of 24-32 cm. Small logs, of course, are much cheaper, but they look less aesthetically pleasing.

For large buildings, it is not recommended to use thin trunks - in such conditions they will look ridiculous. The optimal diameter is considered to be 28 cm. To build a house, you can purchase logs with a diameter of 30-40 cm, but such materials will be expensive.

There should be no serious damage, defects, signs of rot, mold or mildew on the surface of the logs. There should be no black, blue or any other dark spots on the wood.

Experts do not recommend purchasing disassembled timber. If the structure has been lying disassembled for a certain time, then it may simply fold incorrectly. This occurs due to different degrees of drying of the trunks.

Monitor the moisture content of the wood. It should be well dried. Materials with a natural level of humidity are in many ways inferior to similar specimens.

Selection of building materials

If you decide to build a log house with your own hands, then you should take the choice of building materials seriously.

Pine

Pine is an unpretentious material that has a long service life. Experts say that this type of wood is the easiest to work with because it is very malleable.

Used for construction the following types pine trees:

  • ordinary;
  • flexible;
  • resinous;
  • swamp;
  • Korean.

The best option is considered to be the pine species that grow in the northern zone: Angara, Karelian, Arkhangelsk.

Most consumers prefer pine because it is not only practical and beautiful, but also inexpensive. However, it also has its weaknesses:

  • pine shrinks, like any other type of natural wood;
  • this material is susceptible to cracks;
  • pine is afraid of high levels of dampness and moisture, so it will have to be especially diligently treated with protective agents so that it retains its qualities for many years.

Larch

Log houses made of larch are also very common. This wood is quite strong and durable. In addition, larch is relatively expensive. It is also worth noting that when dried, this wood is not subject to rotting, which is very important for such a material.

This wood is considered medicinal. As for the strength characteristics, larch can be compared with high-quality and expensive oak. It is not easily damaged or broken, but it is sold at a reasonable price.

However, larch is less pliable and soft than pine. For this reason, such wood is difficult to process in any way. Because of this, working with her can be problematic.

Aspen

Natural aspen has a pleasant light shade. This type of wood is very easy to work with because it is not fussy. Aspen has the following important advantages:

  • such a tree is not susceptible to the formation of wormholes;
  • in a dry state, such a building material is very elastic;
  • aspen beams have minimal deflection, but are light in weight;
  • upon contact with water and its complete drying, aspen does not collapse or deform;
  • even at a temperature of +100 degrees, aspen does not emit resin (unlike coniferous trees).

This building material is rightfully recognized as practical and durable. However, it is worth noting that nowadays it is not so easy to find really high-quality pine bars. When constructing a log house, you can use only well-dried wood of this species.

Cedar

Cedar has a soft wood structure. In many respects, this material is similar to pine - it can also easily be processed in different ways. Cedar can be safely used for interior decoration, as it has a rather pleasant texture and an equally pleasant natural aroma.

In addition, cedar buildings have the following advantages:

  • high strength;
  • relatively light weight;
  • resistance to the harmful effects of moisture and dampness;
  • good sound and heat insulation properties;
  • ease of processing;
  • attractive appearance.

Buildings built from cedar usually have a slight reddish tint. If there are knots on such wood, they are less dense and strong than those of pine or spruce. However, it should be borne in mind that without additional finishing, cedar begins to darken, and much faster than, for example, pine.

Oak

If you want to build a high-quality and luxurious log house, then you should use oak logs. As a rule, such materials are quite expensive, but they look simply amazing and have enviable strength characteristics.

Oak buildings have many advantages for which modern consumers choose them:

  • Oak logs have a dense structure of wood fibers, which makes it possible to use this material without regular antiseptic treatments.
  • Such wood burns very poorly, as it is very dense.
  • An oak log house is not afraid of either insects or mice.
  • This type of wood warms up slowly, but retains heat for a long time, which has a positive effect on the internal microclimate in homes.

Oak log houses are not without certain disadvantages:

  • High density is both a plus and a minus. Because of this feature, such material has an impressive weight, so working with it is not always convenient, and the foundation for it needs to be as strong and reliable as possible.
  • Not every craftsman knows how to work with oak - it is difficult to process.
  • Another serious disadvantage of such wood is its high cost.

Having chosen one or another material for building a log house, it is necessary to inspect it for the presence of the above-mentioned darkening, destruction and traces of rotting. You also need to purchase materials of a suitable diameter.

Construction stages

After purchase required material You can start building a log house. Such work must begin with careful preparation terms of reference. It is on this basis that the entire list of required work will be formed.

After this, as a rule, a preliminary design is drawn up. It is developed to identify all the features related to both the circuit itself and the design as a whole. In addition, on the sketch the master will be able to notice in which places something needs to be corrected.

Next, you can proceed to drawing up a working draft. To do this, you can contact experienced specialists. The working draft is a preliminary design with all the details and nuances. Such documentation is used by builders to achieve maximum similarity with the customer’s initial preferences. It is very important to include both text and graphic materials in the working project.

When the plan is completed, you should proceed to pouring the foundation. The foundation under the log house must be sufficiently reliable and strong so that over time it does not sag or collapse. Most often for wooden buildings use a strip foundation.

To erect it around the perimeter and under future wall ceilings, you need to dig a trench. Its width should be about 40 cm and depth – 50 cm. Place a “cushion” of sand and gravel mixture on the bottom. Then you should lay the reinforcement and build a formwork 50 cm high. After this, you can proceed to the direct pouring of concrete. As a result, you will get a foundation whose height will be about 1 m.

Next, you need to carry out high-quality waterproofing of the base. To do this, the surface of the foundation can be covered with molten bitumen, and a layer of roofing material can be laid on top. When the bitumen is completely dry, the procedure can be repeated. The result is an effective two-layer waterproofing.

The next step will be the development of a utility network project. Its features will depend only on the wishes of the owners. Most often, a simple diagram is drawn up for this, which shows the location of all the main points. At this stage, the design of the future building should be developed.

For further work you will need the following tools:

  • chisel;
  • special carpenter's axe;
  • chainsaw (it is advisable to stock up on a tool with medium power);
  • plumb line;
  • building level;
  • electric drill;
  • mallet;
  • trait.

Particular attention should be paid to such a tool as the trait.

To make it, you need to take steel wire with sharp edges. Bend it in half so that it takes on a compass-type shape. It is permissible to additionally secure the handle. This tool will be needed for marking logs.

If you have all the necessary tools in stock, then you can proceed to assembling the log house. All varieties of such structures were listed above, but the most common is the Russian cabin. It is the easiest to do, and even a novice carpenter can handle such work.

The construction of the log house itself must be carried out in stages, starting with the frame crown (from the starting one). The logs that will play the role of the mortgage crown need to be trimmed into edges - for a tighter connection to the foundation base.

However, first you should put a “backing board” on the foundation. Linden is suitable for this. This can be a beam 50-100 mm thick and at least 150 mm wide. After constructing the embedded crown, you can proceed directly to the assembly of the log house.

Place the first pair of logs on the foundation's waterproofing sheet. The second pair should be laid at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the starting parts. Combine everything into a “cup”.

When constructing such a structure, it is permissible to use a chainsaw. With its help you can significantly save valuable time. However, the final finishing of the “cups” must be done with an ax in any case.

After the first one, the second crown should be laid. It is better to choose thicker logs for it, since floor joists will be installed in them in the future. To ensure maximum fit, a longitudinal groove should be made in the top log. This element should be equal to a third of the diameter of the previous log. To outline the boundaries of the groove, you need to lay the upper log on the lower one and make a mark using a line.

An important stage is the insulation of logs. For this purpose, a special flax-jute fabric is most often used. One of its segments is placed on the lower crown, and the longitudinal groove is insulated with the second.

  • square dowels;
  • round wooden dowels.

Experts advise using wooden dowels, since you can buy them already prepared and simply make the necessary holes with an electric drill.

Holes should be made in increments of 1-1.5 m. In parallel, sew some of the upper crowns completely, and the third crown located below - not completely. To avoid bevel of the structure, after it shrinks, you need to recess the dowels into the crown, located 6-7 cm on top.

When you raise the wall ceilings to the height you need, you will need to put them on top ceiling beams and rafters. If during construction you used damp wood, then you should use slate sheets instead of rafters. After this, you should wait for the structure to shrink. As a rule, for this you only need to overwinter once, but according to all the rules, shrinkage takes a year and a half.

With the onset of spring, when the shrinkage is completed (partially or completely), you can begin caulking.

Regarding door and window openings, then they can be arranged in two ways:

  • In the first option for arranging these parts, all holes are made only after completion of construction work. At the same time, small gaps must be left in the crowns, which are located in the places of future openings (their sizes depend on the size of the window and door structures). Once you have installed all the logs, all you have to do is cut the openings with a chainsaw.
  • In the second case, all openings must be prepared during the construction of the log house. This arrangement option is considered more complex and energy-consuming, since in front of you there will be timber with cuttings at the ends, as well as special grooves.

When the shrinkage of the entire structure is completed, it will be possible to move on to the next stage. To do this, you will need a hammer and caulk (wooden or metal).

It is permissible to begin work only after the insulation has completely dried. First you need to twist the materials (moss and tow) into a rope, and then hammer them into the spaces between the crowns (using caulk and a hammer).

It is also acceptable to use a tape harness. This material is installed using nails or a special construction stapler.

After the wood has settled, you can begin to build the roof. You should not start such work earlier, otherwise the structure may become deformed during the shrinkage of the log house. Stages of work:

  • Place wooden beams on the wall framing.
  • Fix them in one position and attach the rafter legs to them. In this case, a step of 1 m should be maintained.
  • In the ridge part, you need to cut the rafters at the desired angle (for connection).
  • It is necessary to nail a continuous deck of boards to the rafters, especially if you are going to install flexible roofing on the roof.
  • Instead of a solid flooring, you can also construct a sheathing. This base is most suitable for tiles and slate.
  • After this, put the roofing on the roof.
  • The ridge should be covered with a sheet of galvanized steel to protect it from negative external factors.
  • The roof gables will require cladding. For this purpose, for example, siding or lining is suitable.

After installing the roof, you can move on to other work: pouring concrete screed or installation wooden floors. In the second case, it is necessary to cut the logs into the logs of the second crown and securely fix them. Next, you will need to start laying insulation and finishing the interior of the house.

Sanding and processing

When the building material has just been delivered to you (or you brought it yourself), it needs about 25-30 days to rest. After this, you need to carefully examine and sort through all the logs that you bought to build the log house. Keep only the highest quality items. Wood with defects and damage must be rejected.

After sorting the material, you can begin processing it. To begin, the logs must be cleared of bark. However, it is recommended to do this as carefully as possible so as not to harm the wood. You need to leave small areas of bark on the sides (about 15 cm on each side).

After removing the bark, the logs should be stored. In this case, the materials should be approximately 25 cm from the ground, and not lie on it. In this case, you can lay the logs as you like, it is only important to leave a distance of 7-10 cm between the individual elements.

In order for the log house to last as long as possible, it is recommended to sand it on the outside and then treat it with a special coating. However, it is worth considering that the process of polishing a log frame is complex and time-consuming. This will require special tools and a lot of free time.

High-quality grinding and processing are a guarantee:

It is also worth considering what advantages sanding a log house has:

  • Mechanical processing of wood eliminates cracks, irregularities and unpleasant roughness from the material. Treated logs look much neater and more attractive.
  • Wood that has been sanded acquires excellent adhesive properties, making painting faster and easier. The coating lasts a very long time.
  • After sanding is completed, the wood can acquire a pleasant natural texture, which is the main advantage of log structures.
  • By sanding you can protect wood from premature aging.

Grinding can be done with your own hands, but for this you need to use special tools. A belt sander is perfect for this kind of work.

If the log house is built from semicircular logs, then a belt machine will not be suitable for sanding it. Here it is better to use a grinder with special grinding attachments.

You can start sanding the log house only after it has completely dried. If you start this type of work immediately after construction, then excess moisture in the wood structure will not allow you to make the material as smooth and even as possible.

After grinding, the log house must be treated with the following means:

  • antiseptic agents that protect wood from mold and mildew;
  • glazing compounds that transform the appearance of wood;
  • antiprens, which make the tree more fire resistant.

Insulation

With properly selected insulation, a log house becomes more comfortable. Today, the range of such materials is very wide, so it will be possible to select the optimal products for any base.

For insulation country house or log cabin, you can use various materials, each of which has its own characteristics. There are the following main categories of similar products:

  • synthetic, which contain artificial components;
  • natural interventional insulation, made from natural materials.

Synthetic insulation materials include polystyrene foam, mineral and basalt wool and other similar materials.

One of the most popular insulation materials for floors, walls and ceilings is mineral wool. It is made from slag, fiberglass and various rocks.

The main advantages of mineral wool are:

  • excellent thermal insulation characteristics;
  • waterproofness, which is very important for high-quality insulation;
  • resistance to most aggressive chemicals;
  • good air exchange characteristics;
  • soundproofing characteristics;
  • fire resistance;
  • durability (service life mineral wool is 25-30 years old);
  • environmental friendliness.

As for the disadvantages of mineral wool, these include:

  • enough high level dusting;
  • When wet, this material loses its positive qualities.

However, this insulation does not tolerate contact with the sun's rays - they simply destroy or deform it. In addition, polystyrene foam cannot boast of good soundproofing characteristics. Many consumers refuse to purchase this insulation because of its flammability.

Some experts do not recommend insulating wooden houses with polystyrene foam, since this material does not transmit moisture out very effectively, and this leads to the accumulation of condensation. Because of this wooden bases may darken and begin to rot.

To insulate a log house, it is advisable to use materials of natural origin. Of course, you can buy synthetic products, but with them you will not be able to achieve the “living house” effect that wood buildings are so good at. So, for example, if you insulate a log house with materials without pores, it will simply “suffocate” while under the protective film.

Porous insulating materials, which are in great demand today, can have a bad effect on wood structures. Such coatings, absorbing excess moisture, do not change in size, and this condition is important for natural wood. As a result, cracks and ventilated parts will certainly appear in such a design.

If you want to choose a natural material, then you should wisely select high-quality inter-crown insulation. In this case, wool fiber, sealants or special heat-insulating tapes will not work. To insulate timber, it is better to choose flax, jute, and moss.

Moss has been used to insulate wooden houses in Rus' since ancient times. However, it must be taken into account that not every natural material is used in construction. A special red moss, otherwise called “cuckoo flax,” is best suited for this. It grows in marshy northern areas. In nature, red moss is not so common. To insulate a log house, it is permissible to use white sphagnum moss.

Moss as a natural interventional insulation has the following positive characteristics:

  • has bactericidal properties, so it is not susceptible to rot or mold;
  • is durable and elastic (thanks to its fibers);
  • allows you to maintain an optimal microclimate in the log structure, as it boasts excellent characteristics vapor and gas permeability;
  • able to absorb excess moisture;
  • is environmentally friendly and safe.

If we compare sphagnum and red moss, it is worth noting that the first is less durable, but at the same time more affordable.

Inter-crown cracks can be sealed using jute insulation. It is not at all necessary to use moss.

Jute gaskets for insulating a log house have the following advantages:

  • environmental friendliness;
  • contain lignin fibers that prevent the material from rotting;
  • have excellent thermal insulation qualities.

Thanks to special processing, tow, felt and flax-jute are obtained from annual jute.

The main disadvantage of jute is that it can cake over time and is quite expensive.

One more natural insulation for the log house is flax. It is often used in the construction of houses and baths. Currently, insulating materials such as flax wool and tow are made from flax. Both materials are environmentally friendly and absolutely safe for human health. In addition, such materials are quite dense, so they cope with their main task perfectly.

Let's consider how to properly decorate a log house with natural inter-crown insulation.

  • First, a layer of insulating material is placed on the log - it needs to be rolled out along its entire length.
  • Next, you need to place the next log on top to securely fix the insulation. At this stage you can use construction stapler, which will provide the most durable and durable fastening.
  • Make sure that the insulation does not roll into a thin rope. On the contrary, its edges should hang down on the sides by 5 cm when it is sandwiched between the wooden parts.
  • The hanging excess will need to be pushed into the depth of the seam. The most convenient way to do this is with a chisel.

This process of insulating timber is otherwise called primary caulking. Only a year later, when the structure shrinks, will similar work need to be done again.

Common Mistakes

When building a log house, many craftsmen encounter a number of common problems. Let's look at them in detail:

  • One of the most common mistakes is the incorrect selection of materials for construction. For the purpose of constructing a log house, it is permissible to use round timber of pine, spruce, fir, larch and other similar species. A big mistake would be purchasing materials with rot and tobacco knots.
  • It is very important to purchase dry materials. It will be very difficult to work with raw wood, and it will not last very long.
  • For dowels, you can only use dry, straight-grained wood that is free of knots. If you use birch dowels, they must be coated with antiseptics. Many home craftsmen neglect such work, but in fact this should not be done. In addition, it is not recommended to make dowels from coniferous and hardwood.
  • Do not completely remove the bast from the logs. Otherwise, such materials will attract insects and fungi.

  • Do not forget about laying waterproofing between the casing and the foundation. To do this, some use short-lived materials - such as roofing felt. Experts recommend purchasing more than modern coatings on a bitumen-polymer basis.
  • When assembling a house, you need to remember that each log has a certain degree of curvature. These materials must be laid with the curvature upward. If this principle is not taken into account, the logs can protrude strongly in different directions.
  • Another common mistake is failure to comply with the size of the crown gap. It should not exceed the 1 mm mark. When cutting by hand, it is difficult to follow this rule; drying out of the wood leads to an increase in cracks. Avoid connecting logs in crowns along the length, otherwise the structure will not be very strong.

  • The outside of wooden houses cannot be insulated with vapor-permeable materials - for example, polystyrene foam. In this case, the wood stops “breathing” and dries out completely, and a high level of humidity will destroy it over time.
  • Flexible mats cannot be used to insulate a log house. Instead, it is recommended to install more rigid materials in the form of slabs.
  • Craftsmen often transport construction materials carelessly. This error may damage them.

  • During the construction of a log house, everything vertical racks can be supplemented with such a detail as a shrinkage compensator, which is a kind of jack.
  • Watch the side cracks on the logs - they should not go deeper than 1/5 of the diameter of the end of the log.
  • You should not leave the log house to dry without a roof. This can lead to its rapid rotting.
  • It is recommended to install special canopies in the structure that will protect the log house from negative external factors - for example, from rain.

  • Log houses do not compact with polyurethane foam in areas of window and door openings.
  • Do not start insulating a log house without checking the condition of the wood - first discard damaged parts and areas with defects.

To see what mistakes you can make when building a wooden frame, watch the video below.

There are two types of round log: rounded log and log manual cutting. Before construction begins, a rounded log undergoes machine preparation: it is given the same diameter along its entire length. A hand-cut log is cut down on a plot, after which only the bark is removed from it, and in this natural form, with all the knots and natural irregularities, it goes into the log house.

In comparison with a rounded log, a hand-cut log has a number of undeniable advantages, so it is important to understand what kind of log it is made from. round log you will build your house

Rounded log

When processing a rounded log, its outer, hardest layer is removed. Therefore, such a log is susceptible to cracking. The bowls in the cuts (where the logs intersect at the corners of the log house) are also cut by a machine and made into a simple semicircular shape; After drying, through cracks inevitably appear in them. However, the main advantages wooden house made from round logs is affordable in price and construction speed.

Hand-cut log

Since these logs are cut in the forest and do not receive any special preparation other than stripping the bark, they go into the log house in the most original form, with all the knots and natural patterns.

There are two approaches to this type of log: some plan it, and we just sand its surface, which allows us to maintain a hard outer layer and reduces the possibility of potential cracking. We can make log houses from round logs into a claw, but we consider cutting into a bowl to be more reliable and durable; The key advantage of hand-cut logs over rounded ones is the design of the bowl: we use an additional tenon, which, after shrinking the house from a turnkey round log, allows us to avoid cracks in the corners.

The technology for building a classic log house from round timber took centuries to form, and the ancient builders did it in the same way as today, but with a more primitive tool. Thanks to the use of new devices, a house made of round timber is built much faster, not inferior to time-tested models in terms of reliability and environmental friendliness. Round timber is suitable for the quick construction of prefabricated structures for houses, saunas and baths, which are worked out to the smallest detail by the Scandinavians. In the Russian outback, centuries-old traditions are kept - how to build a house from round timber yourself.

Features of round timber buildings

Solid round logs - round timber - are used as a building material for country households, dachas, houses, bathhouses and outbuildings erected using log house technology. Natural wood has long been known for its thermal insulation properties, while such walls “breathe”, which is not inherent in other materials. A tree, even when cut down, remains environmentally friendly - it naturally reacts to changes in temperature and humidity, ozonates the air in the room and creates a warm atmosphere.

Building a small structure from round timber yourself is not as difficult as it seems to those who admire perfectly even rows of well-processed logs. But if you familiarize yourself in detail with the technology of building a house from round timber with your own hands, you will get a neat log house. There are several ways to construct wooden buildings, and each involves a specific technology, and each has its own subtleties. Without studying technology phased construction When building wooden houses, you can make small mistakes that cannot be corrected at the finishing stage.

What is the difference between a log house made of profiled timber?

As a building material, round timber is harvested locally, so wooden houses made of round timber do not require the use of imported and well-dried raw materials. This is where the word “log house” comes from - cut down and made in the place where the main building material grows. A convenient way of assembly is with the so-called “cold” angle, but cutting wood with laying at a “warm” angle involves manual cutting and laying of “bowls”. But they are the ones who give the houses a special, complete form and original decorative effect - a house made of round timber photo.

With any type of masonry, minor defects are inevitable - cracks and curvature of the walls. Some craftsmen advise making bowls in a serial manner using a good tool. To avoid gaps between the round timber and other masonry parts, it is important to pack the insulation tightly, and after some shrinkage, duplicate this stage of work - identify the gaps and fill them with sealant. The log house is assembled from various materials, including laminated or profiled timber, or well-processed round timber, but insulation is required in any case.

Tip: You can purchase a prefabricated structure and build the house yourself - according to a diagram from numbered blanks. But usually this work is performed quickly and efficiently by professionals from the supplier company.

What kind of wood to make a log house from?

Prices for wooden houses made of round timber vary greatly, and this depends on the method of processing the logs, the thickness and properties of the wood, cladding, insulation and general modification of the structure. For a good log house you need smooth, high-quality building material, but they give preference coniferous varieties wood. Each variety has its own distinctive characteristics:

  • pine is the most accessible and widespread material, but when dried it often forms sap and small cracks;
  • larch is a high-quality moisture-resistant building material that becomes stronger from moisture; it is used for lower crowns and exterior finishing;
  • spruce - excellent finishing material, good for internal partitions, enriches the air with healing resinous substances;
  • fir is an excellent wood, but due to the fact that it is not so common and more valuable, it is rarely used for the construction of houses made of round timber.

For construction they use pine, spruce and larch, often combining round timber different types wood. For example, larch and pine are laid on the lower rows, and spruce logs go above. It is important to treat pine with an antiseptic.

Tip: When there is enough larch in the region, this type of wood is preferable. It is not susceptible to rotting, and over time moisture makes it more durable. It’s not for nothing that the piles in Venice are made of this type of wood, and in swampy areas it is simply irreplaceable.

Round timber harvested at the construction site is the most economical way construction of wooden houses. Although laminated veneer lumber is a more durable and easy-to-install material, preference is still given to solid wood. Glued laminated timber is a guarantee of wood quality, where even knots look quite aesthetically pleasing. It is treated with impregnations to protect against:

  • fungus;
  • ignition;
  • moisture and rot;
  • damage by rodents and bugs.

However, all this inevitably affects the cost of houses made of laminated veneer lumber, so building a house from round timber will be much cheaper, and always add impregnation yourself.

Advantages of round timber houses

Round scaffolding for several centuries it has been in demand for the construction of houses and auxiliary buildings. Such structures have many advantages:

  • natural material is irreplaceable in terms of environmental characteristics;
  • ensures “breathing” of the house and complete cleaning of the habitat from harmful impurities in a unique microclimate;
  • has rather low thermal conductivity;
  • the log house is able to independently maintain a sufficient temperature balance - it is not cold in winter and not hot in summer;
  • wood gives an unusually warm homely atmosphere;
  • the incomparable aroma of fresh wood is beneficial for health;
  • durability of the structure - the house is resistant to temperature changes, small seismic shocks and mechanical stress.

Features of working with round timber

A house made of solid round timber is a technological process thought out to the smallest detail, in which logs harvested at the installation site are used. That is why “log house” and “round timber” remain the most accurate and succinct definitions. Today, this method of building houses remains the most environmentally friendly and quite economical.

Almost all work is done by hand, but with the use of special tools, since it is otherwise impossible to fell pine trees, clear bark and knots, and build walls. In addition, the finished logs are further processed - special selections and gutters are made, and accurate measurements are needed to select logs of the same cross-section. In this case, larger logs are placed on the 5 lower rows, and thinner ones are placed above. It is desirable that visually there is not a big difference in the diameter of the round timber. It is by these signs that it is noticeable whether the log house was made by a professional or a beginner.

Log houses made of hand-processed round timber preserve the natural protective layer under the bark. The masonry acquires its individual appearance due to the special method of alternating logs. Well-prepared round timber is quickly laid into the finished structure of a house or bathhouse, especially when they are brought to readiness on a special woodworking machine. The more precise the processing and fitting of the material, the less it is additionally insulated.

Wooden buildings are built from different types of logs, and they have their own differences:

1. Rounded log - round timber with the simplest type of processing when removed upper layer, leaving the most dense base. Such wood retains the basic properties of natural material, while producing smooth and even cylindrical logs that are convenient to lay in walls.

2. Sanded log - a lightly processed tree trunk, from which only a layer of bark and knotty irregularities are removed. With this treatment, the protective layer under the bark remains intact. The strength of such a structure is very high, which is why ancient huts and towers stood for 150-200 years. The logs were preserved natural shape, so there was always a noticeable difference in the diameter of the base and top. It is very important to alternate them during installation.

3. Calibrated log - these are finished processed trunks that are sorted exactly by diameter or caliber. The most acceptable installation method, especially for mass woodworking and the development of an entire cottage area. In this case, smooth walls are obtained from proportionate round timber.

With any option, a well-laid log house turns out to be aesthetically pleasing and reliable, reminiscent of illustrations to Russian epics - a house made of round timber, photo.

Where to get a project for the construction of a log house from round timber

A log house made of pine is still popular in Russia, especially since the cost of a new house is relatively low, and the fashion for environmentally friendly building materials has revived ancient technologies that have been proven over the years. Coniferous wood species are common in many regions. The availability of woodworking machines simplifies the preparation of material for the installation of houses and outbuildings.

It is quite difficult to make a well-thought-out project for a house made of round timber without experience, but you can make your own adjustments to the finished drawings. There are many ready-made architectural projects - in specialized magazines, books and on websites. For individual project development, it is better to contact a professional architect.

Building a house from round timber - a project plus the appropriate suitable building material. The specialist is able to prepare it taking into account the soil characteristics in the region, summarize all the client’s wishes and even offer several options for initial sketches.

It is important to decide on the foundation or foundation of a wooden house:

1. In swampy areas you will need piles.

2. For a permanent two-story building on ordinary soil, a shallow strip foundation is sufficient.

3. A columnar base is suitable for a light outbuilding.

Before the installation of a wooden house begins, the area on which the foundation is marked is leveled. According to the dimensions corresponding to the design of the house, stakes are driven in a rectangle - according to this marking:

  • dig a trench under the strip foundation;
  • they kill their own;
  • equip a columnar base (one of the options).

According to the marking of the perimeter, they dig a trench up to 35-40 cm deep and approximately the same width; inside it is necessary to make a base for 2-3 walls - for greater strength.

When the trench is ready, it is leveled along the sides, and a sand base of up to 5 cm is poured onto the bottom, compacted with water. After 2-3 days you can make the foundation, and at this time it is better to start preparing the laying elements for the formwork. Cutting boards from which panels are made are suitable, and it is advisable to prepare the formwork for the weight of the foundation immediately. Filling concrete mixture under the foundation must be reinforced with metal rods.

After a few weeks, the foundation will harden, at which time the round timber for the log house is prepared. The formwork is removed from the finished foundation, and the resulting gap is filled with crushed stone and clay. Roofing felt or bitumen must be laid on the foundation for waterproofing.

Initial stage of work

Under a small round timber frame, the deepening of the foundation will be minimal, but it is still better to raise the house a little above the ground - in case of natural disasters, so that excess water does not soak the wood after shrinkage. The timber for laying the base and walls comes slightly dried, that is, natural humidity.

Wall installation is extremely simple: adjusting and laying beams on top of each other using dowels. A dowel is a wooden pin that allows you to assemble wooden houses without nails, ensuring the reliability of the structure and natural shrinkage. It is better to prepare these devices in advance - rounded pins with a cross-section of up to 30 mm from the strongest types of wood in the area. A hole is drilled in the beams into which the dowels are driven. They are prepared a little deeper than the length of the dowel - during the shrinkage of the log house, the crowns should not move, forming cracks. The pitch between the dowels is about 2 m.

When laying a log house made of round timber, it is important to connect it correctly - an example in the video.

There are 3 ways to join timber:

1. Horizontal joint method. Laying parts of the timber on top of each other, the so-called “cold” joint, which creates a small gap from the outer to the inner edge.

2. Vertical method - placing beams on top of each other, which results in a “warm” joint, but it is more technologically complex.

3. End joining method, when the joining is made under a flat tenon on the inside, and it is also considered “warm”.

Cold corners are additionally secured with tenons, warm corners with grooves.

Holes are drilled between the logs for dowels, on which they are strung, forming a wall. The first dowels are attached near corners, horse and door openings, no less than 10 cm from the edge, and at a long interval about 1.5-2 m. Roll insulation or natural material is placed between the round timber:

  • tow;
  • jute.

When the frame is formed, the openings for windows and doors are finally formed. To avoid deformations, timber is inserted in the center of the finished openings.

For laying the first crown of the log house, the strongest and smoothest logs of the largest diameter are selected that can withstand the total load of the structure. The lower base of the round timber must be cut off for stable placement on the foundation. In the round timber frame, an additional “bowl” fastening is formed. To do this, semicircular recesses are formed in the beams, fastening the corners, but the bowls must be neat and even.

When laying subsequent crowns, be sure to lay roll insulation in order to reduce the time spent on constantly caulking the cracks. Excess can always be removed, and with outside The insulation between the crowns is practically invisible.

The length and thickness of the round timber is selected for each crown - the higher the wall, the thinner the timber, and shorter logs will be used for the spaces between window and doorways. Assembling a log house takes about a week, but due to inexperience, most of the time is spent on adjusting the round timber. The wood is treated with an antiseptic and allowed to shrink for at least six months, then the interior finishing work is completed.

Mauerlat is the last crown of the wall on which the roof rafters of a gable roof should rest. It is better to make it with a large slope - steep gable roofs do not retain snow. Ceiling beams are also mounted on the last crown.

Often, people who live in areas with commercially available round timber have the idea of ​​building a house on their own: especially since until recently almost all peasants possessed this wisdom, without knowing any literacy or mastering construction technology. Building a log house with your own hands is not a great science, but it still requires a deep understanding of the process and the ability to adapt old carpentry technologies to new conditions.

Materials and tools for building a log house

We immediately hasten to dissuade people who want to install a log house using modern power tools to save time. Unfortunately, the use of chainsaws and electric planes is not recommended; they can only be used for heavy work. Wood treated with power tools is more susceptible to mold and rotting processes. For the construction of log houses, a special carpentry kit is used.
To work, in addition to axes, you will need a standard plane (as well as a Scherhebel plane for finishing work) and a scraper (for removing bark); there is also a whole range of additional carpentry tools for cutting into a cup. To cut out a longitudinal groove, an adze is used - an ax with a rounded blade and an inverted ax handle. When processing wood with hand tools, the wood pores are naturally clogged; as a result, a hand-cut house will last much longer.

Carpenter's ax and its features: where to order and how to make

A house made of round timber is cut using several types of axes; professional woodcutters order axes for chopping houses to order from high-quality hardened steel. In the simplest version, we recommend stocking up on an ax for rough cutting, which without the weight of the ax handle should weigh about 1.6 kg, have a sharpening angle of 25 degrees, for convenience, use an ax length of 60 cm. And the second ax is used for finishing cutting with higher accuracy, such the model will have a sharpening angle of 20 degrees, a weight of 0.9 kg and an ax handle up to 50 cm long.

Many artels in their work use a restoration and carpentry ax, which was restored and made on the basis of ancient samples by A.V. Popov. There are many modifications of it, which were made by Popov himself. Approximately up to 90% of carpentry work involving felling a log house can be performed with this tool. Popov's ax has a wedge-shaped shape; in fact, this ax is a half-splitting ax, since its tasks include not only chopping, but also removing wood chips during work. This requirement is achieved using a special tool shape.

A number of Russian forges produce high-quality axes for cutting log houses. One of the most interesting is ToporSib. In this artel you can purchase all necessary tool for cutting a log house in the form of ready-made kits.

Selection and preparation of logs for construction of a log house

To build a log house you will need round timber. The thickness of the frame is selected based on the availability of materials. Usually, a house made of round timber is made with your own hands from accessible and inexpensive materials. In Russian conditions we are talking about pine round timber. There are 4 varieties of round timber available for sale; experts recommend the 2nd grade:

  • 1st grade: butt part, without knots, used for high-quality woodwork;
  • 2nd grade: assortment from the middle and butt part of the pine trunk, there is a small number of knots and cracks;
  • 3rd grade: round timber with a large number of knots;
  • Grade 4: wood with any defects except rot.

Pine for the construction of a log house is chosen for budgetary reasons; in addition, this wood is soft and pliable in processing, has a small number of knots, does not require additional processing, and the trunk runoff (difference in diameter) usually does not exceed 1 cm. Pine does not crack as much as spruce processed, but is soft, so larch or oak is recommended for lower logs that are closer to the ground. In this case, the frame crown can be made of pine, but its diameter should be 5-7 cm larger than the main log. In some cases, a high foundation can save you from ground moisture.
To cut a log house, only fresh wood is used; ideally, the log house is cut in the forest, where the material can be selected, and then transported to the installation site. Fresh material should be stored for no more than 2 weeks; for storage at the construction site, rounds are stacked. For northern regions with temperatures reaching -40C in winter, logs with a diameter of 21-24 cm are used to middle zone 15-18 cm is enough.

Project

When building a house, it is better to start with small forms of buildings, for example, building a gazebo or a log bathhouse with a recreation room and a bedroom. You can live in such a house before the construction of the main house, and then use it as a guest house. Typically, timber of the maximum length is ordered, and accurate calculations can be made based on the availability of windows, doors, partitions, and logs can be selected at the sawmill according to the required size.
To successfully and quickly build a house for yourself, it is better to join an artel that deals with wooden construction, at least for summer time. This will help you understand the main points of manual felling of log houses.

Foundation work: in the past and now

The foundation for a wooden frame is made using strip technology or made of stone. The higher the foundation, the wood is better will be protected from ground moisture. A house made of round timber can be installed on a columnar and pile foundation. In the old days, the first rows of logs, the so-called mother crown, were installed on stone shafts; they were called ryazhe. This solution made it possible to raise the house above the ground and secure it firmly.

We cut a log house with our own hands

Before starting work, prepare additional equipment. First of all, the support for holding the logs, the fixation of the round timber is ensured by cut out wedges. Next you need to prepare the logs to size:

  • when cutting a log house “in the paw”, the logs are prepared according to the design dimensions of the house;
  • when cutting “into a bowl” it is 60 cm more.

Next, using a scraper, the bark is removed from the trees; you can bring the log to a smooth state with a plane, but since the top layer of wood will be removed, you need to treat the log with an antiseptic solution or tar oil.

On next stage The cutting of the covering crown is carried out using the cutting of the log. On one side, you should get a perfectly flat surface that will be in contact with the foundation. Next, the frame is constructed, the frame is easily cut into a bowl with your own hands, other technologies require skill.
Here's a video of how to make a log house with your own hands:

The algorithm for cutting a longitudinal groove can be different; professional craftsmen do it manually. For beginners, a small graphical instruction will help.

The felling of a log house can be carried out in a bowl, as well as using a number of other methods, which are illustrated in the figure.

Please note that there is Russian and Canadian cutting technology. The Canadian method of cutting log houses is better designed for log shrinkage and guarantees better thermal insulation.

Conclusion

Cutting a log house with your own hands is a very realistic goal, as a result of which you will become the owner of a beautiful and warm home. Construction of a wooden house will cost you relatively little, since labor-intensive processes will be carried out independently. The house will delight you with its appearance, and also create a healthy atmosphere inside due to the aroma of pine resins. The key advantage of this construction technology is the fact that a wooden house can be cut at any time of the year. If you use high-quality old wood, such a house will last at least 100 years.