Construction Details

Standard items and benefits included with every Caribou Creek package.

 

Our Wood

 

  • We use hand-selected seasoned, dry logs.
    • Reduces shrinkage (individual log diameter & loss of height at plate).
    • Reduces the size and number of seasoning checks.
    • Among our standard log species are Engelmann Spruce, Lodgepole Pine and Western White Pine. We also have available Douglas Fir, Larch and Western Red Cedar.

 

  • Logs are graded to TPI (Timber Products Inspection) grade standards.
    • Skilled craftsmen grade logs to “Rustic” grade or better.
    • You can be assured you are getting quality logs in your home.

 

  • We build with limited taper, straight-grain logs.
    • Limits the logs from twisting in the walls, purlins, ridge and upper level floor system.
    • Logs have greater strength.
    • Logs stack tighter together sealing your home against the weather and giving it a much better appearance.

 

  • All logs are hand peeled.
    • Adds value due to the authentic appearance your finished home.
    • Preserves the log’s natural character and beauty.

 

  • All logs are full length, with no “butt splices”.
    • Structurally stronger.
    • Our log structures with no end splices are naturally a tighter home because there are fewer joints.
    • Appearance (adds value to your finished home).

 

  • We build with 10” – 20” average diameter logs.

 

Our Construction

 

  • All homes are built completely in our yard, including:
    • Log walls – full-scribed or chinked round logs;  squared, hewn, or  dovetail beams; or a fusion of styles (see #8)
    • Log or heavy timber second level floor systems.
    • Log or heavy timber roof systems
    • Log or heavy timber porch systems
    • Log or timber staircases
    • We construct your project in our yard to a level of completeness unsurpassed in the log home industry, saving money and ensuring that you receive a quality handcrafted structure.

 

Wall Construction
  • Scandinavian Full-Scribe – after scribing, a groove is cut in the underside of the top log following the exact curvature of the bottom log, resulting in a perfect, snug fit.  To further protect from air infiltration, we place a compressible backer rod on each side of the log.
  • Chinked – logs are saddle-notched at the corners and stacked whole.  Next, a backer rod is applied to both sides of the seam where logs meet, and chinking is applied over the backer rod.  The finished work produces a band of chinking that is pleasing to the eye and just as efficient as Scandinavian Full-Scribe.
  • Dovetail – squared logs are stacked with dovetail joints at corners.  The space between beams is sealed with backer rod and chinking.
  • Timberframe – traditional or modified timberframe construction uses a series of bents individual sections of the building that are self-supporting.  Construction is completed by framing on the outside of the beam framework, or in the spaces between the beams, leaving the beams exposed and beautiful.
  • Surface Textures – Our wall styles can feature almost any surface treatment, including hand-peeled, hand-hewn, skip-peeled, or aged/distressed.

 

  • Corners are shrink-to-fit saddle notch corners.
    • These joints are hand-cut using a chainsaw (not machined) by a skilled craftsman to ensure proper fit and placed on the log stack (wall).
    • This type of corner gets tighter as it bears the weight of the logs, loft floor system and roof above it (load).

 

  • All door and window openings are pre-cut at our plant, and are beveled and sanded for an elegant finish.
    • Cut and completed according to final set of plans. Heavy angle iron “splines” are placed in a vertical slot made in the end of the logs.  This keeps the logs at each opening in perfect vertical alignment.  The splines are custom-cut and coded to match each opening, and pre-punched for mounting hardware.
    • We take into account the effects of log settling, and detail the openings for an excellent fit and finish.

 

  •  All electrical chases are pre-drilled at the plant.
    • Wire chases are laid out according to the electrical plan, and drilled by our craftsmen.
    • We take extra care while cutting mortise holes for switches, receptacles and wall-mounted light fixtures, creating a precise fit for electrical faceplates.  The openings are mortised and sanded.
    • Properly mortised openings add to quality appearance, which adds value to your finished home & reduces the time required to re-set logs.
  •  All hardware and gaskets are included with each package.
    • Ensures you will have a tight home (proper gaskets). One less thing you or your contractor has to have on site for the re-set.
    • Having the proper hardware in the correct quantities on hand when the re-set is in progress saves time and greatly reduces your costs, whether that includes log to log pins, lags, bolts or internal plating if required.

 

  •  Treatment of Log Ends
    • The exposed log ends of your home can be cut straight, curved or arched.
    • Every log end is sanded

 

Handcrafted Railing
  • One of the biggest areas of personality in your home will be displayed with your railings.
  • We can incorporate carvings into your railing.
  • Railing styles include hand-peeled, milled, squared, twig and many others.

 

 Optional Stairs
  • Spiral.  Our floor-space-saving stairs include a unique center column, slab log treads and individually bent hand-peeled handrails with hand-peeled spindles.
  • Straight Run.  Our standard straight run-stairs have half-log treads with two full-round stringers.  The railing has hand-peeled rails and spindles.
  • Custom.  We can build just about any kind of stairs.  Whether you want a hand-carved stair or a dual staircase, we can do it to your specifications.

 

Roof Construction
  • We are very particular to match our structural construction with your choice of roof style.
  • The roof may be built with log purlins, log trusses, log rafters, or conventional trusses.
  • The exposed logs, visible from the interior, are part of the structural elements of the roof and are one of the appealing details of log home construction.

 

  • Dormers
    • Dormers add warmth and style, and are an excellent way to increase usable floor space on the upper floor.
    • Dormers may be either shed style or gable style.


  •  Flats are cut where necessary at proper pitch to meet framing.
    • Flats are cut along the top edge of logs at one of our three sawmills.
    • Roof purlins  –  greatly reduces the time it takes your contractor to put decking or sheeting on roof, reducing cost and resulting in a flat roof without shimming.
    • Ridges  –  ensures your roof has clean lines without shimming.
    • Plate logs – ensures you have a tight transition from roof to eve.
    • Loft or second floor joists – ensures you will have a flat and level surface to finish your floor, without the need for shimming or notching.

 

Preparation for Delivery

 

  • As the structure is disassembled for shipping, each log is buffed and sprayed with Penetreat.
    • The logs are buffed to remove any dirt, sawdust or scuffs.
    • The buffing also opens up the outside of the log, allowing the Penetreat to migrate deeper into the log to protect them against mildew and mold during transportation and construction.

 

  • After buffing and treating, the logs are loaded on trailers with straps that stay on the logs during transport to avoid scarring during handling.
    • We use nylon straps to load your logs, not metal tongs.
    • The nylon straps stay on the logs all the way to your destination and are used again to re-set the logs.  This eliminates the need to use tongs to pick the logs up thus reducing the scarring of your logs.

 

  • All loads are tarped for transport to protect your investment and keep logs as clean as possible.

 

Caribou Creek sends a skilled reset supervisor with each project to ensure it is reassembled to our building and quality standards.

 

800.619.1156

www.CaribouCreek.com