LOCAL PROJECT trusses means that the entire roof cavity is available as usable loft space , which doubles the floor area of the building without adding anything to the cost of the foundations or roof .
During the planning stage I had cut and seasoned about 4 000 running metres of 28mm thick Saligna planks . I like to pin stack and air dry all the planks on site where they will be used . These would end up as 24mm tongue and grooved ceiling boards , effectively the same planks that most people use for flooring . The ceiling boards are painted and nailed on top of the rafters , which creates a clean finish inside with little effort .
Above the ceiling boards , furring strips and purlins are fastened to the rafters , insulation installed and then my all-time favourite leak proof concealed fix roof sheeting .
To finish the building , gable windows and doors where built . For gable window frames I use my own standard size square 150mm x 150mm Saligna beams , which are cheap and easy if you have your own log saw and a basic knowledge of chainsaw carpentry .
The biggest log is 7m ³ volume , estimated weight somewhat over 7 tons ( t ). Crane trucks do not generally move logs of this size .
THE FINAL RESULT
Fact :
• Economical : Total cost R120 000
• Easy to build
• Environmentally sustainable : The trees will re-grow many times during the lifespan of the building
• Biodiversity : All timber is alien vegetation Eucalyptus Saligna / Grandis
• Carbon negative , this building consumed about 150m ³ of round logs
• No milling loss : using round logs , we use 100 % of the log , and minimal processing is needed .
• Quick to build : The project took 4.5months to construct with one labourer .
• Great insulation R value
• Long lifespan
• Strong
• Materials readily available
• Environmentally friendly borate treatment
Opinion :
• Log buildings look cool .
• Building log homes is probably the most fun that you can have that is still legal .
Roy Trembath is Chief instructor at SA Log Home Builders Association . Visit www . logbuilding . co . za for more information .
To finish the building , gable windows and doors where built .
www . timberiq . co . za // JUNE / JULY 2021 11