General discussion about log homes and cabins

FYI I still have not found time to take the class but I am a firm believer in the BNP method of building a Log Home. I have a small patch of land in a county in North East Texas where I DO NOT have to worry about building permits as there are no country permits needed to build. Only two small towns have building departments that require permits.

I have a Girlfriend in the Philippines whose family are very poor but have land and I had hoped to take the class build a few small two bedroom houses here for resale and then go to the Philippines to build a house using the methods I have learned. Of course I want to build my own house here too

Now I know that Skip (the original owner of the Log Home Builders Association) had lived in the Philippines before he passed away but did he build any log homes while he lived there?

In my trips to the Philippines in the past I noticed that most small homes built in the country were made of concrete blocks (blocks that were so brittle that they break at an alarming rate). The ideal is that building with wood is not a good ideal as the Philippines has a lot of termites and the houses get infested. To me this does not really make all that much sense as Log homes are being build in Africa and Australia which can have even more termites than the Philippines.

So.. does anyone know about log homes being built in the Philippines? What types of local trees would be suitable for homes there? Any special building methods (only those that can be answered without giving away LHBA trade secrets of course) to help keep the termites away?

I have looked online but I am not finding too many things on Log Homes in the Philippines other than those built by the US military before WWII.

Thanks for any ideals or information you might have on this. 

Lolo-Steve

Look here is the skinny, I was super psyched to start this project beginning with attending the class in May, however the more I look at these homes the more I get intimated.  Can I really do this?  I have good work ethic and not much else.  I see these people on the site doing this but I can't imagine me being able to complete one, I am looking at a somewhat modest home, 2 beds and a loft maybe 32*32 1st floor half loft on the second maybe like 1400 ft.  I do know that I will attend the class then start with a small project first but the more I look at these things the more I get frustrated, can anyone here tell me they have just basic skills like real basic and are planning on building one.  I have no construction experience.  Not many tools to speak of, but I do have passion which I think counts but am I over my head?  I plan on building this myself part time and on weekends in Pennsylvania.  Please respond if you will work cheap ( free) and help me, just kidding but any encouragement would be great, thanks.  Jason

Hi, I hope I'm allowed to post here. I am looking to get advice on building a log home. On other forums, I see a lot of negative about log homes. I believe they aren't educated about all the options.

I know there are some great books about building, and I plan to read them soon. I wish I could attend a class, but I am not to that point yet, and I would not be doing the building. (That's another topic.)

So first, I was wondering if a log home is right for me. I read a bunch of the FAQ here in the past and again today, and it sounds so economical and wonderful. (Unlike what you read elsewhere. People only know of the expensive kits and bad stories.)

I am not accustomed to rural living but it's what I am going to do. (I will stay somewhat close to town. I have also read many warnings about difficulties in rural areas that most people don't expect.) I point this out only to lead into my next point.

One of my main reasons for wanting to build a new log home is that I have sensitivities to many building materials used in almost all homes. I am hoping to spend extra and minimize the amount of chemicals in my new home. The cost is a huge factor - I believe I could save plenty. And I am hoping it would be quicker than building a standard typical house, or around the same amount of time.

hello all! i have been lurking on this site for a few months now. i'm sure this seems redundant and maybe a little cliche, but the content of this site has transformed my ways of thinking and has inspired me! i recently bought some dirt cheap land at auction (21 acres) in WV right down the street from some family. i intend to build a b&p style log cabin on the land and move my family there.

just got the email for the class coming up in may - really want to attend so i can get the inside scoop on everything... alas, i have baby #2 on the way and the due date is the first week of june so I will not be able to attend. guess i'll have to hold out for the next class.

the land i purchased has a TON of poplar trees. i have done some research and know the shortfalls of building with poplar. from what i understand, as long as overhangs are sufficient and the logs stay dry, rot is not an issue. i plan to cut and prepare the logs myself. relatives can help with dozing work to prepare the site. they can also help with forms for foundation piers. i plan to hire some of the work out but hope to do as much work myself as possible.

i would like to have a completed house within 2-3 years time or so. right now, i am searching for building materials on craigslist. haven't purchased a single item yet.

so... i have raw land. step one completed! where do i go from here? should i go ahead and cut the trees so they have time to dry? i have heard that poplar gets rock hard when it is dry, and then rebar would be very hard to pound into the logs...

thanks in advance to anyone who can offer any advice!

Does anyone have any knowledge of building in Jamaica which is in earthquake and hurricane zone.  I am thinking of using butt and pass.

I know that taking the class is the key to understanding this, but if anybody can explain it a little clearer to me that would be great.  My brother-in-law builds homes and some have been log homes.  I mentioned to him that from what I am understanding from the LHBA site is that by using the butt and pass method of construction, there will be no settling .... even when using green logs.  He does not believe this and is telling me that there is always going to be settling and therefore this should always be taken into consideration when building a log home.  I would like to be able to respond to this in some intelligent fashion but I am a newbie.  Can some one give me a response to that?  Also if a class isn't offered for some time and we want to get started on the whole process, are there steps we can take in preparation that would be beneficial? 

Thanks,  OH and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

kdees76