ᐅ Log Cabin Construction: Solid Timber vs. Frame Building – Experiences?

Created on: 4 Feb 2019 21:58
L
Lucrezia
A year ago, it was clear: log house, nothing else (we had an experienced company, but unfortunately no general contractor). Since we got in touch with a general contractor specializing in timber frame construction who convinced us, I have been going around in circles. Since I have already received many helpful ideas and tips in this forum, I would like to invite you to share your thoughts on this. I’ll start with the advantages and disadvantages we have noticed:

Log house:

+ Only untreated wood, so "minimalist" and with very low chemical exposure
+ Short waiting and construction time
- Trades must be contracted separately (we would not take on any work ourselves, except possibly flooring)
- Prices can fluctuate more significantly
- Warranty is "only" 15 years on structural components (5 years on the rest)

Timber frame construction:

+ General contractor, so "worry-free"
+ Accurate price quote (fixed price)
+ 30-year warranty on structural components – waiting and construction time somewhat longer
-/+ Wood only in the “frame”; (eco-friendly) materials can be freely chosen
D
dab_dab
31 Aug 2019 23:51
Johann_s schrieb:


I would find that great because I consider them more environmentally friendly than a reinforced concrete slab.
Just need to convince my better half

I mixed up Lucrzia and Johann, so I edited.

Are there any experiences regarding radon shielding in wooden basements compared to concrete basements? In some areas of Upper Bavaria, radon levels are quite high.
Lucrezia1 Sep 2019 10:07
@Johann_s I also find earth anchors very interesting, but are there several years of experience using them in (two-story) house construction? I only know of their use for carports and similar structures.
11ant1 Sep 2019 14:58
I think you are confusing something: the screws under the beam supports are related to decay prevention by ensuring they do not stand in water, not to load transfer – they are not and do not replace foundations.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
J
Johann_s
1 Sep 2019 15:09
11ant schrieb:

the screws [...] are not and do not replace foundations.

On Gesundbau’s website, ground anchors are explicitly presented as a replacement for the concrete slab foundation.
I also received a quote from the supplier Rast und Ruh stating that the house will be supported on 30 of these ground anchors.

I would like to provide a link accordingly, but unfortunately I am not allowed to.
However, it can be easily found via Google.
11ant1 Sep 2019 15:16
Johann_s schrieb:

On the Gesundbau website, ground anchors are explicitly presented as a replacement for the concrete slab.
Correct. However,
Lucrezia schrieb:

I only know them for carports and similar structures.
this points out that @Lucrezia is basically grouping the screws between the ground and the end of the carport support beams together with ground anchors.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Climbee3 Sep 2019 12:32
haydee schrieb:

@Climbee has a wooden basement. I just don’t know how the slab is constructed.


The slab is also made of solid wood. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture, but if you visit the website of the "Stauden" carpenter (google it – you’ll find it right away) and check out the photo gallery of the "house on the slope," you can see it there.