Building a Log Home in Maine

[Lakeview]

Hello, We are building a log home here in maine near the Moosehead lake region. Our property will close on May 15 which is the same day that the roads here in Maine will be unposted for HEAVY LOADS to travel them. I have a few issues that i am trying to figure out and would be open to any input on them. First i am a mason by trade and have worked with Foundations, Slabs and bricks.I have never worked with river rock or fieldstone. I saw that thread that was posted about the rock shower stall and was totally impressed with the idea. We have made our floorplan so that our master bath in the loft and the guest bath are over one another for plumbing convenience. If you located a stone shower stall in the guest bathroom and built another on top of it in the master bath like stacking a chimney could this work? The house is a 32x30 chalet with a 25 ft cathedral over the great room. The house will have no foundation and will be put on a slab with radiant heating. I wanted to know if anyone that reads this has used or heard anything about the boiler room in a box radiant heating system endorsed by bob vila? If you go to a search engine you will find it by its name. It seems to be affordable/economical. Also i was wondering what the best way to incorporate a perlin roof system on the house is it possible to go more than 2' on center with a metal roof? Keep in mind its a 12-12 pitch? These are just a few of the many questions that i have before i begin? Also i wanted to say that finding this website has been a GODSENT for ideas on a major project like the one we are begining in a few weeks. Thanks for any help KIRK+JESSICA in Maine

[Greg Steckler]

If you located a stone shower stall in the guest bathroom and built another on top of it in the master bath like stacking a chimney could this work? IF the house settles AND you have not provided for it you're in big trouble. If your designer has figured out the support, slipjoints, screwjacks, etc. then it should be okay. Let's say the loft comes down 4" and the shower above weighs 2,000 lbs...there had better be some provsions.boiler room in a box radiant heating system endorsed by bob vila? Yes, there are several radiant heat systems on the market and we have speced them in a few of our designs where appropriate.Also i was wondering what the best way to incorporate a perlin roof system on the house is it possible to go more than 2' on center with a metal roof? Yes, but depends on loads and diameters of beams/logs. Your designer or engineer should work this out for you.

Keep those questions coming, its why we all hang out here. BTW are you building a Moosehead Cedar Log Home? I know they are down to one designer and we have been pushing hard to help them out. If you are, how about asking for us? (I need a little leverage:D )

[Stephanie]

Kirk & Jessica,
Where are you building? I go up to my parents place on Brassua Lake in Rockwood most summers. A GORGEOUS place!

[Tim Bullock]

Lakeview, I built a home up there years ago.....nice place for sure.
I simply can't understand why you would build with slab on grade unless you have water problems?? The frost level there would be 4' for sure so you would have to build a perimeter wall that deep anyways.......why not go 4' further??? Eliminating a basement is pretty poor economy especially if you ever plan to sell.......No problem with the upstairs shower if designed correctly for shrinkage.

[Lakeview]

Hello, Thanks for all the reply!! I will keep all of them in mind! My issue of the day is cedar logs or pine logs? I want to get on the top of the mills delivery list. So that i can get my logs in time to get a nice start on it. We need 3000 lin feet and my best price so far here in maine is (3.00 for green pine/cabin grade) (4.00 for mill run grade pine KD 12%). I have almost totally made my mind up to get the mill run 6x8D. And today a fella called me and said that if we build with pine be prepaired to rebuild in ten years. He said to go with cedar only for no bugs or rot. He might be a SALESMAN. But I must say that i take car of everything that i own and i was reading that if you seal these pine homes every 3-5 years you will have no problem. Is this true? I guess you cant get a beter reply than someone that owns a pine log home. Also what is the R value config from Pine to cedar?

[BradBradstreet]

Lakeview, our home in Maine is lodgepole pine. We built in 1991 and it seems the key is to have large roof overhangs and keep the logs dry. There are many different ways of protecting the logs and you will get recommendations here. We used Weatherall's stain and re-did it on the outside last fall.