Handcrafted Products

We offer the log shell package, this is our expertise. We build the log shell on our worksite and then have it delivered to your foundation site where it is re-assembled by our crew. We’ve built small cabins, resort cabins, large and small homes, B&B’s, restaurants, a senior’s centre and a gas station.   Overview Plans Log Shell Horizontal scribe fit log construction Overscribing Log Post & Beam Timber frame and frame hybrids Roof Systems Other Options

Overview

Plans
A well thought out and detailed plan will ensure that your investment in fine log work results in the success of the project. We will help you develop your ideas and help you to choose the Designer or Architect that you feel most comfortable with. You must have a good plan to work from and the investment will prove cost efficient in the end.

Log Shell
We build the complete log shell package with the log walls and the logs for the log roof system included. Log wall height to the plate log is 10’ minimum, unless stated differently. The log work is pre-built on our worksite.  The following is standard in our log shell package.

All gasketing to prevent air infiltration is installed All door and window openings are cut, trimmed, and sanded  All flared ends are cut, trimmed, and sanded.  All receptacle boxes are cut into the log work All electrical, dowelling and through-bolt holes are drilled The roof system members are flattened to receive the frame materials Frame partition slots are cut on reassembly

Scribe fit log cottages

Once the log shell is finished, each log piece is numbered, then taken apart and loaded onto flat deck trailers or into containers for overseas shipment, and then delivered to your foundation.

We re-assemble the log work on your foundation. A company crew is sent for domestic reassembly projects and for U.S. projects a consultant to the general contractor. 

Costs for the re-assembly and for the trucking/shipping to the foundation site and the crane for the reassembly are additional costs.

Horizontal scribe fit log construction

Logs are stacked horizontally and are notched together. This method of construction became very popular in Canada in the 1970’s.  It originated in Eastern Europe, perhaps as early as the 1200’s.  But Canada boasts the worlds largest log building built in the 1930’s, The Chateau Montebello in Quebec.

The Chateau Montebello

Overscribing
Why use Overscribing of the Lateral Groove and the Radomske 4 - point Saddle Notch?

4-point Saddle Notch

Gasket in overscribed groove

Overscribing of the lateral groove and the 4-point saddle notch are a result of many years of studying logs and the reactions that they undergo after construction. Determining where the wood should be removed so that the log house become tighter as time goes on rather than gaps appearing when the shrinkage and settling of the logs take place.

Overscribing means that the lateral grooves are initially loose fitting with all the weight bearing on the notches. The resulting shrinkage of the logs and the compression of the notches will over a short time close the gap in the groove and get tighter with age but still maintain stable locked corners. Overscribing can also be referred to as under-scribing of the notch. The combination of the overscribe method and the shape of the 4-point saddle notch produce superior log joinery.

With overscribing, the amount of wood that is removed from the notch area and that of the lateral groove is different and there is a gap that is visible along the lateral groove at the time of construction. Even while the house is under construction you can see how much the laterals close up as added weight is applied to the log walls. The house is becoming tighter. After the roof is on you will see another change happen as more weight is added. This process continues over the next few years as the logs dry they shrink and settle out with the logs becoming tighter. The 4 - point saddle notch system locks the logs into place and will not lift and twist or open up gaps. Our notching and lateral system produces a beautiful log house that will continue to become tighter as it ages.

For a complete article on overscribing:

• Radomske D. 1993. Overscribing the lateral groove to create a compression-fit notch.  Log Building News 11:4-10
• Overscribing Revisited - 1997

Log Post and Beam

Post and Beam construction has become increasingly popular and a good choice when you want log but not all log. Choices for the finishing panels between the posts are many and provide you with many options.  This method of log construction uses vertical posts with horizontal cross members to tie the log work together.  With log post and beam there is not the concern for settling that you have when using horizontal scribe fit logs and for this reason it is a good choice when adding onto an existing log home.

Roof Systems

• Log Post and Purlin
• Log Gables  
• Log Trusses

Other Options

• Stairs and railings
• Balconies and Verandas
• Log Dormer Posts
• Carvings, Carved window and door posts