I can just imagine if Mr. Roarke and Tattoo came to visit, Tattoo would be pointing and shouting “D Log!, D Log!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x_QbVDlLbI)
I knew very little (just about zero) about log home construction when we first started talking about someday building one. As an architect, I knew the benefits of heavy timber when it comes to fire resistance and that log construction is minimally addressed by current building codes. During a site visit to our Chico development project, I passed by a sign visible from the highway….Sierra Log Homes. Hmmmmm, was this coincidence or fate? I made contact and arranged a time when I could visit with Larry, the Owner, for an introductory education on log homes. Now back to ‘D Log’!
There are just a few basic log configurations with a multitude of variations. The traditional ‘Swedish Cope’ is a round log coped along its bottom to fit over another round log. Then there is the ‘Timber’ log with a rectangular profile. And finally the ‘D’ log with a flat surface on the inside and round profile on the outside. It has T&G joinery top and bottom for a nice tight weather seal with no chinking required. It met our design criteria for exposed surfaces inside and out with a traditional round exterior and contemporary flat interior…..truly the best of both worlds. We opted to use 7” x 10” incense cedar “D” logs with Sierra’s exclusive double T&G Weather Blok profile. The logs are stacked with polyurethane adhesive in the large center groove and foam weather-stripping in the two smaller grooves. The logs are them bolted together with 3/8” diameter power driven Spax fasteners…..a whole lot of them.
The house has been through a couple of complete seasonal cycles and continues to perform exceptionally well. We experienced a few wind driven rain leaks the first season, mostly from cracks extending through an entire log, easily mitigated with Perma-Chink’s Energy Seal. Season 2 has proven to be leak-free even after this Miracle March snowfall topping 6’ (yes, that’s feet). The picture above was taken during construction and was a mild 3’ snowfall event.
