Have you been dreaming about building a log home but didn’t know where to start? Paging through the 
typical log home magazines doesn’t help much as they tend to focus on the extreme “McLog and McLodge” homes of several thousand square feet in remote mountainous locations with exclusive views and heliport pads.
Unfortunately the log homes that they feature are simply out of reach for most so unless you have the cash of the elite the message is clear – keep dreamin’ cuz you cant afford it.
Although I read them and frequently find good content I’m also, as a certified log home builder, frequently horrified by the drivel. Rarely do they 
interject any sense of realism and rarer still is the article on log home maintenance.
I get quite a few emails from people that are just confused as to what many log home manufacturers have told them. People don’t know what to ask and get more confused going to the log home shows and have difficulty finding good information here on the internet.
Here on this site I concentrate on restoration and will from time to time post with regard to building new and discuss topics such as construction methods, planning, things to consider, costs, electrical and of the like. I try to provide information to help you maintain and or restore your log home without having to
take out a second mortgage if you have to re-chink or fix a log.
Building new is a different challenge and very few sites provide sound information and advice.
An excellent website that I enjoy visiting frequently is LogFacts.com. Fred Masey (pictured above right), his wife Vigi (pictured above left) and their faithful dog Jake (pictured right) have put together an excellent website that sheds serious light on log home building that can help you go from dream to the tangible reality of your rustic desire.
You will find a number of articles providing solid advice on planning and designing your home, budgeting, videos and podcasts that walk you through critical steps to building your own.
You will find a link in the sidebar to the left – do give him a visit and tell him I said “hello”.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Please juts tell me that the butt and pass system is the best way to do the notches,..? I am wanting to know your opinion.
Thanks
Hello Tim — I do have to say that indeed the butt and pass method I do honestly believe is the best method when is comes to overall time, cost and stability. Granted the corners are not as pretty nor artistic as those created by master craftsmen doing precision notched joinery but the long lasting and solid corners of butt and pass will be less inclined to problems due to shrinkage, weather and other problems commonly found in ill fitting notched logs corners well after the builder has moved on.
Check out the articles on Butt and Pass and Notched corners Part I and Part II. You will find a recent question from Brian that is similar to yours as well as my response to Brian in the comments section following Part II.
As I stated in my response — I will work on posting more information and pros and cons of various construction methods and will also post opposing views. That way you get solid information so as to make the best decision. I believe Butt and Pass is the best method but I have a couple of buds that feel differently and we each have our reasons and are passionate about it. I’ll talk to them and make sure that I include their thoughts and arguments for other methods and the pros and cons of each. — Stay tuned.