WELCOME

The purpose of this blog is to inform readers on every aspect of log house construction. I share my experience freely because I feel knowledge in this area will uphold good standards of construction which is good for the industry as a whole. I will edit some comments and remove links to websites that I […]

REPAIRS on Log Cabins Ireland

         

Last year we repaired a log house in Wicklow with great success. Interesting that the original Log Company had no interest in helping their client of 14 years earlier. The cross posts suffered from the weather and had become rotten. Because of this part of the roof had […]

Log Cabins for Rent ~ in Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Hidden in the Wicklow mountains beside the Avonbeg river there is a settlement of 7 log houses. In the Glenmalure Valley in Co. Wicklow you will find natural beauty & peace. Spacious distances of 30 metres between houses and mature gardens means that you have total privacy. Wonderful views. A wonderful […]

BREATHING ROOF for Log Houses

On our first log house we used hardboard – no felt, no breather membrane just hardboard with counter battens and slate battens on top of the rafters and paper under the rafters with counter battens. We pumped in recycled paper, then installed the pine t&g sheeting. This is an old fashioned Finnish […]

LOG CABINS paint & varnish

     
Consumerism encourages us to buy goods that we don’t need “because we’re worth it”. Multinationals encourage us to use their products because “it does exactly what it says on the tin”. Their research and investment focuses on how to sell us their products. Government certification in the building industry is also influenced […]

WICKLOW COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2010-2016 presentation by the log house company

The Log House Company were invited to to put forward our opinions on the new draft of The Wicklow County Development Plan. Below is a copy of our presentation to members of Wicklow Co. Co. Planning Authority on 28/11/2008.
1. Climate Change & Energy Efficiency
It states in the CDP that “ Climate change is among the greatest challenge of […]

Letter to S.E.I. re BER energy rating of Log Wall Construction

Dear Sir / Madam,
Recently we instructed a registered BER assessor to carry out a provisional BER for a sample log house. He did a thorough job within the parameters of the test but we feel that the test does not take into consideration other factors relevant to log house construction. We scored very well and […]

SETTLEMENT 2 - calculations & techniques for Log Homes.

In our first article on settlement we calculated each standard log settles by 4mm from 180mm to 176mm aprox and the laminated log settles by 3mm from 180mm to 177mm. This means the standard log shrinks vertically at a rate of 22mm/ metre and laminated at 16mm/ metre. Settlement stops after […]

SETTLEMENT - is an important consideration in Irish Log House construction.

Settlement and shrinkage of logs is probably the single most important detail concerning the construction of a log house. If a log company or builder tells you there is no settlement - move on - you are in deep trouble if you continue with them.

Timber shrinks significantly in width not in length. This is […]

BUNGALOW BLITZ or bungalow bliss

In the 1970’s Jack Fitzsimons brought out a book called Bungalow Bliss. It was basically a book of ideas and designs for the amateur self-builder or architect. The amazing thing is that this tome of amateur architecture has been used as a benchmark for professionals up to the present day. We at the Log House […]