Houses made of large diameter logs. Large diameter cedar frame. "Marisrub": making a fairy tale come true

Ancient Slavic craftsmen built huts entirely from large ridges. Then the technology that allows you to take slightly sawed trunks went out of fashion.

Today, thanks to craftsmen who are restoring popularity to the methods of ancient wooden architecture, it is not only in demand again, but is also becoming the basis for the manufacture and installation of inexpensive residential structures made of wood. Four points allow us to call the system budgetary:

You can reward hosts by doing work on the site or through small donations. More information about the volunteers and passionate people who come here, most foreigners so far, on the Ulmu blog. It looks like a hobbit's house, but it's actually a bunker that keeps the garden's fruit at the right temperature.

Who created this project? Three young people are passionate about art and nature - Andrei Lupse along with his brother and wife. Andrei graduated from the Higher School of Arts in Baia Mare, then from the Faculty of Industrial Design in Timisoara. And, Andrew's wife, Roxanne, after training English language at the Northern University in Baia Mare, returned to her passion for handmade and, of course, to nature.

Undemanding in terms of materials.
Inexpensive processing.
Clear and accessible (easy for beginners).
Age-old relevance (for centuries it provided shelter for the poorest villagers).

What are cheap log houses made from large diameter logs?

Eco-friendly development is a complex direction. He has his own approach to pricing. Prices are set for a group, each with available and exclusive items. When starting to look for profitable options, you should understand that even the cheapest log houses made of large-diameter logs cost much more than correspondingly sized buildings made of timber or wood panels. Constructions made from huge frames are still classified as status products. Those who are oriented in business will inevitably have to spend money on them. Prices are expected to be low in relation to the price list of other significant projects. They cannot be compared with the amounts paid for small and medium-sized dachas. Large-scale simply cannot cost as much as small.

And Andrey, because he knows how difficult it is to get information and get pragmatic feedback, he is open to answering questions from those who want to go natural and environmentally friendly or interested in ecology and permaculture. Interconnected dwellings raised from natural materials.

What inspired us about their story? Courage and persistence to develop the path less traveled. In the text below, made with the help of Roxani Moraru, Andrei details the principles behind the rise of eco-houses, a hobbit, a food bunker and a garden complex - all linked to the natural setting in which they were built.

Funny numbers are bound to prompt sad commercial thoughts and become a signal for the end of negotiations. Normal indicators ensure that the contract is implemented without unnecessary savings. Namely:

the trees will be felled on a plot that is classified as “healthy”, has existed for several decades, produces truly strong, resistant, high-quality wood (because refurbishment and inspections are paid for on time);
they will take really powerful trunks with a cutting width of 360 mm (if the costs are more than covered, there is no point in cheating);
the forest will be dried naturally and without haste. The reduction in spending is mostly minor.

More and less cheap log houses made of large diameter logs

The most affordable in the segment low-cost construction Traditional versions made from massive round timber remain, recognized as easy to construct. The promotional offer of many companies remains cheap log houses in the form of wells, elongated (rectangular) or compact (square). This is exactly what people's dwellings looked like in Rus' since ancient times. The “box” was formed by straight, smooth walls, and was completed by a universal gable roof. Fixation was provided by a deep pit, the walls and bottom of which were tightly compacted.

Andrey Lupse and the dome with an outline. Homes have windows to the east, south and west, and have a lot of thermal mass in the walls and countertops. The roof is a wooden skeleton made of spruce, wrapped in 30 centimeters thick reeds, which is a very good insulator and, like a hat, maintains a constant temperature inside.

The three interlocking domes each have a height equal to their diameter, so space and height can be utilized by creating a loft with a log splitter. Internal area is 35 square meters and 20 square meters in the attic. The diameters of the eco-houses are 3, 4 and 5 meters respectively.

When the budget allows for some freedom, it is possible to add a little vintage flair. Three directions:

Cottage configuration.“Pagoda”, where the walls taper towards the top; “inverted triangle”, in which the bounding surfaces, on the contrary, become wider with each crown; a tent consisting of five to eight identical parts.
Connection diagram. Standard (“in the bald” or “in the tooth”), rounded (obtained by carefully trimming each joint), fusion (a harmonious combination of “bowls” and “paws” or oval and sharp fasteners fitted with an ax).
Roof shape. The “pagoda” and “inverted triangle” are protected with lean-to versions, the “tent” with hip versions, and the “well” with an attic.

Who installs cheap log houses from large diameter logs

Can you describe the material requirements in detail? The “floating foundation” is made of “dry stone” and has the role of drainage. In this way, the water collected from the roof is directed to the gardens. A floating foundation that directs water flowing from the roof onto the gardens. Preparing for short chestnut logs.

Gardens are created in layers raised on a level curve, and each layer has a trench above it. This is a passive irrigation system. At the same time, these layers are covered with dry organic matter, which is removed only where we want to plant. So no more weeding, digging or irrigating for 30 years!

All the ready-made estimates offered by specialized companies for installation services for a significant number of residential buildings from thick trunks are, at first glance, small. However, an independent market analysis showed that carpenters in certain regions are able to make truly cheap log houses from large-diameter logs. Siberian specialists were the first (this happened at the stage of the formation of wooden architecture) to “conquer” centuries-old trees. When it became clear that huts made from imported materials “would not survive” in the harsh region, local craftsmen reworked the technology to match the available raw materials. Their initiative was taken up by Mordovian and Chuvash craftsmen working in difficult climate zones.

To prepare what we grow in our gardens, we made a rocket stove that uses 6 times less wood than a regular stove. Thanks to this system, which helps us dig out wood, we were able to boil 25 liters of water in 50 minutes.

Garden "rows": raised, covered with dry organic matter, with ditches provided between them for passive irrigation. How did the food bunker come about? From gardens, orchards, forests and livestock we get food that we store in a bunker near the house.

The food hopper is made using superadbes technology and maintains a constant temperature of 11 to 17 degrees. We use a natural ventilation system through which Fresh air comes from below, under the floor, to the end, and one is released from above, on two “antennas”. The wine is well preserved, just like food. 🙂.

It is simply difficult for carpenters in areas not rich in forests to resist and correctly evaluate their experience, equipment, and relationships with suppliers; the topic is too fresh and profitable, and the production methods seem very simple. Result: constant postponement of the deadline due to lengthy sorting and complex delivery of timber, problems with preparation (not every workshop will undertake to clean, debark, grind ridges of impressive cross-section), long fuss with drawing up a sketch and a working version of construction operations. However, in fairness, we note that everyone sometimes has to tinker with design documentation.

Additionally, volunteers are welcome to participate in a new project given that we will begin construction of a log cabin later this year. Hobbit house with rounded doors and windows, roof with vegetation and long wooden beams and short rays and cob.

There will be a lot of new things to learn, which are best practiced in seminars and practical exercises in places. The export of raw wood from Lithuania is shameful for our country as a developed country. Woodworking creates skilled jobs, makes it more profitable to sell Natural resources. There are many opportunities for the forest industry to have huge resources for neighboring countries. However, even the quantity of local wood is available and their cost makes the wood processing business cost effective.

Projects of houses made of large diameter logs

The construction of graphic descriptions for available structures from huge sutunks follows standard rules for the industry, but they are observed much more strictly. Some companies consider log houses made from large logs to be a second-class product and are not very scrupulous about planning, which is why strict supervision is carried out. Heavy trunks have a capricious disposition; you will choose weak fasteners, think over the type of fixation in a hurry, make mistakes in the instructions for the plant, labeling, and pay for neglecting human lives.

By increasing the profitability of wood raw materials in this industry, production automation can be achieved by reducing labor costs and improving production processes and improving product quality. Preconditions for the development of the forestry industry include a large supply of qualified work force. Cooperation with construction companies can create an uninterrupted chain of wood use, resulting in higher value sales.

Wood processing processes and wood production

From the forest to the timber mill you will arrive, and in some cases, cut down. Imported wood is cut or sliced and the cutting process can also take place during cutting. It is important to compress a piece of wood before using the saw, especially if the logs are dirty, this will prolong the life of the saw. Some of the trees are left in the forest, they are trimmed or thrown away. Magazines are usually dried naturally since artificially dried large diameter magazines are not economically viable. The main part of the found pieces is cut into blanks, piles and boards.

So, a group of experienced employees usually works on the drawings of structures that are global in terms of materials. The list of specialists involved is as follows:

Surveyors. They go to the area where the customer lives and use precision equipment to carry out topographic survey, probe the soil, take samples. They give permission (or refuse), and draw up an official certificate with recommendations.
Designers. Based on the research report, a sketch-work package is created (sketches, technological maps, scans).
Designers. Responsible for external and internal beauty/functionality.
Masters. Review transcripts, accept or make corrections.
Lawyers. They receive approval from the state and transfer responsibility for successes and failures to the performer.

Untreated wood is used as construction wood for outbuildings, temporary scaffolding, and formwork. The production of wood wool can be distinguished. Most used timber logs rolled up and cut into thin shells. One of the most famous products is plywood, used in Ancient Rome for the production of lightweight and reliable shields for soldiers. Sheets are processed and pressed or otherwise processed.

The chopped wood is dried naturally or in drying machines. Deciduous wood is cut from dried wood boards, profiled boards, and wooden structures. The cut wood is often planed directly, shredded and can be cut into different forms. Some of the wood is glued to produce longer products.

How to build log houses from thick logs

Now any organization is ready to accept an order for the construction of a series of large-scale wooden structures, but not everyone is able to implement it. The mistake is that workers of some enterprises are sure that houses made of thick logs can be assembled instantly, because the design is standard, the raw materials are stored, the assembly diagrams are “tested.” They forget about the requirements of climate, topography, soil, season and region. Thus, in marine areas and marshy areas, before collecting wooden systems, the soil of the marked area is thoroughly drained. Due to the high thickness and relatively high humidity of the foundations, the buildings are heavy and bulky. Introduced into wet soil, they instantly “spread”.

Wood waste is recycled and part of the board production is used to produce energy. The wood is sorted, the sorted products are packaged and transported to warehouses. Forestry saws can be stationary or mobile. Mobile sawmills can process small volumes of wood and cut small and medium-sized logs. We can cut logs with a diameter of 9 m and a length of about 9 meters. Such sailors are used by forest managers to organize timber cutting on the farm. It is also a popular business offering services to forest owners and those purchasing round timber.

In mountainous areas, leveling of sites is recognized as a mandatory measure. The area for control installation is no exception. “Planting” a majestic cottage on a crooked foundation means that in a couple of years you will end up with noticeable subsidence, a collapsing roof, and potbellied walls with frightening cracks. In the north, it is impossible to do without making additional secret grooves and tenons, using coke, and strengthening the floors reinforced concrete slabs. In the south, for the described tasks, it is more convenient to use corner boards (external cladding), dowels, profiles on the base mineral wool. The foundation is being dug in a serious, tape-like manner.

The wooden harvester is loaded manually or using special hydraulics. Stationary sawmills provide much greater capacity for processing large quantities of wood and large diameter logs. When choosing a sawmill, it is important to evaluate cutting thickness, operating efficiency, and ease of maintenance. Conveyor belts with modern cutting tools save a lot of wood cutting. The advantage of band saws is safety, as operators are located far away from the cutting head.

When installing a large-diameter log house

The key to success in the manufacture and installation of wide-section round timber structures is the ability to resolve issues in advance. So, it is better to submit an application for a house made of large logs, whether it is a purchase or an order, in the spring. Then the layout will be ideal, including only two steps:

In the summer, travel around the region, do an analysis, talk with colleagues, argue with clients and ultimately produce good, detailed graphic descriptions of buildings.
Make good use of the autumn to find a competent performer-“reviewer”. He will definitely find inaccuracies in the documentation, correct them and come to an agreement with officials who, for fear of losing their job, sometimes force them to redo the papers several times.

The beginning of January is the best period for cutting: in the “body” of mature trees nutrients (albeit at a slower rate) circulate even in frosty weather, so there is no need to wait for the juices to stop, and drying, according to standards, lasts 2-3 months.
For higher productivity, automatic saw operators work in a separate cabin, monitoring processes from a distance. The operator controls the loading of logs, the thickness cutting boards, cutting speed, cutting head movement. There is equipment for cutting saw blades so that the operator can see the quality of the cutting board.

The stability of the logs is ensured by adjustable height supports. Choosing a sailboat - automatic system saw blade stretching, logging mechanism. Local forestry construction, especially in rural areas, is dominated by cutting and drying wood under natural conditions. This is largely influenced by the low cost of storage and established traditions and the fact that the most commonly used forests are timber and are often cut down locally. However, in this way the wood usually dried in poor quality, often in the process of being infected with various diseases.

Finished trunks with a wide cross-section “rest” in covered, well-ventilated warehouses. In April, processing is carried out, which means:

neat separation of knots;
cleaning the surface with a wire brush;
debarking or sanding with a shovel. Everything is done by hand, without the use of expensive rental machines.

Where and what kind of houses are built from large logs

Drying in primitive conditions is expensive and it is difficult to saturate the wood well. Visually it seems that natural dry wood is cheaper than kiln dried wood, but if we consider the time, local costs and quality of the finished product, the winner is the winemaker. Drying treated wood will be much more reliable during construction frame house with roof structures.

A modern wood dryer is usually a metal container, it is automated and can adjust the temperature and humidity as needed. The truck is loaded into a drying machine or in a more convenient way - stationary loading equipment on rails. Dryers use several various technologies drying. Lower temperature regime used for wood with higher diameter and density, higher for thinner and less dense wood.

The method, based on the use of huge ridges, is geographically universal and economically very inexpensive: cheap log houses made from large-diameter logs are in great demand in every region and throughout the country, and are completely sold out without any marketing tricks, promotions or discounts. In the southern, western, and central regions, which are characterized by sharp temperature changes and “capricious” weather, experienced carpenters mainly erect structures made of huge aspen frames. The cost of linden options is even lower, but they quickly darken, become rough, and less textured.

Convection dryers for dry wood hot weather. With the same air movement and an increase in temperature by 10 degrees, the drying process accelerates 2 times. However, unrestricted temperatures cannot be increased because some types of wood produce high temperatures that cause chemical reactions that can adversely affect the properties of the wood. High temperatures also do not apply to deciduous wood. It is very important to carefully control the microclimate during the convection drying process.

If the surface dries too quickly, it will shrink, reducing the ability to remove moisture from the inner layers. When the difference in moisture content exceeds 4 percent, the wood begins to split. The room must have optimal mode humidity. In older convection ovens, humidity is controlled by removing moist air and replacing it with less moisture.

In the northern and eastern regions, where wind loads and frosts are strong, craftsmen try to use coniferous species. Pine round timber excellently withstands pressure, retains its shape for a long time, has internal mechanisms for regulating thermal parameters, and at the same time is recognized as one of the most affordable lumber on the market. Buying spruce modifications that retain bactericidal properties for decades and can create a mild microclimate will also not hurt your pocket.

How to place an order for a log house made of large diameter logs

The road to the dream of your own village of fundamental “green” cottages is relatively long.

First step: materialization of the idea. Architects will help bring the idea to life. Only they should be immediately warned that the subject of planning is houses made of thick logs: then they will know exactly what system of joints to provide, what type of wood to give preference to, how to draw up the documentation. Otherwise, instead of a collection of inexpensive original mansions, they will offer a lot of expensive, charming huts. The rework will delay the implementation of the idea for at least six months.

Second step: finding worthy contractors. These include companies that meet the following criteria:

licensed activity (it is especially important that proprietary methods that reduce overhead costs successfully pass official testing);
experience in the field of budgetary environmental development for five or more years (in less time it will not be possible to learn how to assemble wooden cottages on a modest budget and at the same time reliably);
availability of own production facilities (allotments, sawmills, areas for control assemblies, transport workshop, tool base).

Why is it more profitable to buy log houses made of large logs?

There are many more supporters of purchasing structures from powerful ridges. Transactions of this type are concluded and tracked much faster and easier. The share of the assortment attributable to log houses made of large logs is growing: in the centers of “healthy” construction, these products, unlike exclusive ones, are available daily, while they significantly exceed unique ones in operational parameters. Plus, it is often sold on credit. Ready-made inexpensive cottages made from thick ridges are distinguished by:

high heat and sound insulation qualities, energy efficiency;
maintainability (a solid block will withstand repeated sawing and expansion due to new logs);
ease of maintenance and improvement (decoration). There is no refined style in them, only patriarchy, but how proven and reliable.

One of the questions that arises during construction log house, this is the choice of the thickness of the logs for the log house. Foresters and carpenters usually measure the diameter of logs at the top. This means that if the diameter of a six-meter log is 24 cm, then in the butt part its diameter will already be about 30 cm, taking into account the “taperness”. The norm of “taperness” for timber is no more than 8 mm per meter, but in practice it is more often from 1 cm per meter and higher.

The house, as you know, “gets cold.” The thickness of the walls is of secondary importance for the warmth of the house compared to the width of the grooves, since the groove is much narrower than the diameter of the log. In villages there are many houses with hewn walls, where a significant part of the wood is missing, and this does not in any way affect the warmth in the house. The width of the grooves in a log house depends on two factors: the diameter and quality of the logs and the skill of the carpenter. It is usually between one-third and one-half of the diameter of the log. I think it is more correct to make the grooves closer to one third of the diameter, then the logs will twist and turn less in the log house.

Logically it turns out that if you want warm house, then take the logs as thick as possible. However, here it is necessary to take into account such a factor as shrinkage of logs. The fact is that log houses are cut mainly from raw logs and this imposes its own characteristics. The percentage of dry logs shrinking across the grain can reach up to 7%. And such a log dries for several years. This means that if there was a butt with a diameter of 40 cm, then after drying its diameter will already be about 37 cm. Even if the cups were cut almost perfectly (with minimal gap for moss), then if they are not caulked ANNUALLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS, the moss in them will weaken, and the cups will begin to freeze and rot. This can be avoided by cutting the frame from such thick logs into a saddle-shaped castle. This type of logging is also called “Canadian logging”.

In addition, during drying, the geometry of the log may also change. As you know, a log rotates when drying, and if for some reason it is weakly clamped in the log house (in the house), then there will be movement in the grooves, which will immediately affect the warmth in the house. The thicker the log, the deeper and wider the groove, the more significant the displacement will be. Such places will also have to be additionally caulked. Most often, such situations arise when walls hang on door and window frames.

Now directly about the diameter of the logs. My subjective opinion is this: In central Russia, for cutting a house, it is optimal to take logs from 22cm to 28cm (at the top), for a bathhouse it is possible from 18cm. And it’s cheaper, since there are no extra cubic meters, and it’s warm enough, and they dry much faster, and shrinkage is not so critical (our house and bathhouse, assembled on a good layer of white moss, did not require caulking at all). And another important factor is that they can be lifted manually, without equipment.

Pros of thicker logs:
. Definitely, such a forest will definitely be ripe and mature;
. Wider groove;
. Aesthetics (as you like);

Minuses:
. Large cubic capacity. A six-meter log of 22cm is 0.28 cubic meters, and a 33cm log is already 0.63 cubic meters (2.25 times more). Although it is clear that thicker logs will make fewer crowns in a log house, the log house will still cost much more.
. Working with thick logs (cutting) also costs more.
. Significant and long-term shrinkage of logs (see above).

In conclusion, I will say that if I wanted to cut down a log house for myself from thick logs, I would only cut into a saddle-shaped castle (Canadian felling).

Ryabov Alexey, Rodnoe village, Vladimir region.