Thread: Have logs want house

First you would need to establish if the species is suitable for building, surely?

Before anything i'd have a quick chat to the council about planning approval. I know nothing about Canberra, but a number of local councils around the wide bay region in Queensland, won't allow timber frames or cladding due to lack of fire / termite resistance, but that's if you are planning to build in a rural setting.

I'd then google some plans and see if you can get an idea of how many logs and what length, you'd need.
The yanks are in luck over there cause they can easily get 12 straight meters and maybe another 6 out of most of their forest trees. If you could get that out of the trees on your block, I'd bet you'd have a bunch of greens on your door step minutes after you started your chain saw.

Cheers Glen

There are people who you can hire/engage to give you advise on local planning, fire regulations, green areas (just because you own the land doesn't mean you can clear it) & so on.
I can't remember what they are called?
Sorry.

Also a building planner can do plans & construction plans including building specs. A lot cheaper than an Architect & the one we used was very good.

I would investigate things very well, we found there were a lot of "You Can't do that" type things to contend with.

Jonesfam

Does not answer the question you asked, but you could have a look at this site re log cabins.


Timber Transitions – Aussie Made Bush Huts


I attend the Maleny Wood Show every year and the next one is early May. Their little log house on display is beautiful. They are real craftsman projects. Maybe worth hopping in your Landrover to make the trip up to see what can be achieved. Perhaps they could ship one down to you.


Maleny Wood Expo 2018

You would probably find lots of issues with timber grading/ sizes regarding structural integrity also green hardwood tends to shrink a lot while drying and needs to be seasoned. Maybe conventional engineered timber frame and use the trees for asthetic touches such as columns / cladding etc.Also agree with comment that just because the trees are there dosnt mean that local authorities will let you cut them down


Cheers Jeff

Thank you for the great replies.
I agree that the local council can be both a good source of information as well as source of hindrance.

As for the species and suitability, that is part of my question. I understand that beams need to be suitable in order to provide the appropriate structural integrity for long enough during a fire. What about poles?

the Timber Transitions link is a good example of what I was thinking. The poles they use on their verandas are a not as straight or big as
the poles we have.

If we can make a nice veranda with our timber that would be a start. ideally we could do something like the frame shown in the link

Wooden house frame stock image. Image of outside, shell - 2039411

We understand that we will probably have to purchase a lot of the timber, but if we can use any of our own logs that would be a bonus.

@jonefam - thank you for the tip about a building planner. I'll see if there is a local one that is suitable.

Sorry I can't give you more information, all that stuff is in a file box in Ravenshoe.
We did a similar exercise about 5 years ago, it is really complicated so we ended up going down a different route.
Just as an example our Ravenshoe place is on a permeant, spring feed watercourse which makes even putting in a couple of dunnies a mission of gigantic proportions.
Hope you like paperwork.
Jonesfam
And SWMBO reminded me it was 7 years ago.

Give that you are in the ACT region, so are termites ....
I believe that it is almost impossible to build a termite proof dwelling ... the only solution we have found is a steel construction, as just one piece of timber into or onto the ground will give the termites their ladder to your house.