Publication Review

Title: Alaska Log Building Construction GuideChapter1: Intro, 645 KB, 3 pagesChapter 2: Problems and Solutions, 3.61 MB, 10 pagesChapter 3: Energy Efficiency Standards, 465 KB, 3 pagesChapter 4: Building the Log House, 7.93 MB, 37 pagesChapter 5: Mechanical Systems, 365 KB, 9 pagesChapter 6: Retrofit, 2.64 MB, 16 pagesChapter 7: Maintenance, 76 KB, 4 pagesAuthor: International Log Builders' Association, 2000File: Free Building Guide, PDFAudience: Written for log builders and others interested in quality log construction.

ReviewThank the State of Alaska for providing this extensive how to manual on building log homes and retrofiting existing log structures. Includes traditional saddle notch construction and the short log or vertical log post construction. Athough specifically written for building in Alaska, much of the information is relevant to log structures in general.

Issues covered include:

chapter 1: introduction chapter 1: energy efficient log homes chapter 2: problems and solutions for log homes chapter 2: site soils issues chapter 2: log home design issues chapter 2: shrinkage problems and solutions chapter 2: the log building as a system chapter 2: borrowing money chapter 2: top 10 building science rules chapter 3: energy rules for Alaska chapter 4: about trees and saw mills chapter 4: weathering of logs chapter 4: how to cut down trees safely chapter 4: foundations - how to build chapter 4: permafrost foundation - how to build chapter 4: log building tools chapter 4: 1/2 logs, how to cut and start log wall chapter 4: three-quarter logs chapter 4: compression-fit saddle notch wall chapter 4: cutting and scribing notches chapter 4: cutting the lateral groove chapter 4: log walls, air tight log walls chapter 4: finishing the logs chapter 4: chinking and sealing chapter 4: short log construction chapter 4: use of power equipment to make it easier chapter 4: the plate log chapter 4: other uses for tree parts by native americans chapter 4: windows and doors, cutting and splining openings chapter 4: roof construction chapter 4: sealing the ceiling chapter 4: hot or cold roof? chapter 5: mechanical systems chapter 5: chimneys and vents chapter 5: combustion air chapter 5: plumbing chapter 5: arctic utility chase chapter 5: electrical chapter 5: early utilities - history of chapter 5: arctic utilities retrofit chapter 5: ventilation chapter 6: should you retrofit or rebuild? chapter 6: retrofit checklist chapter 6: what shape is the house in? chapter 6: problems to look for in older log homes chapter 6: foundation & floor retrofit chapter 6: exterior wall retrofit chapter 6: interior wall retrofit chapter 6: roof retrofit chapter 6: chimney and flue penetrations chapter 7: mainenance chapter 7: washing and finishing logs chapter 7: find and caulk the leaks chapter 7: carpetner ants chapter 7: conclusion

Images include:

chapter 1: log R-values charts chapter 2: frost susceptible soils/foundation diagrams chapter 2: roof tyes and sun exposure chapter 2: parts of a log house diagrams chapter 2: slip joint diagrams chapter 2: attaching framed walls to logs diagrams chapter 2: adjustable vertical support detail chapter 4: how to cut a tree down safely - tree felling chapter 4: foundation & rim details chapter 4: attaching 1/2 log to foundation details chapter 4: perma frost foundation details and photos chapter 4: log working tools chapter 4: cutting 1/2 log diagrams chapter 4: compression fit saddle notch photos chapter 4: photo sequence & diagram sequence showing cutting and scribing saddle notch joints chapter 4: log wall detail chapter 4: chingking and sealing details and photos chapter 4: floor construction diagram chapter 4: short log construction details and diagrams chapter 4: peice-sur-piece or piece on piece diagrams chapter 4: hydraulic and other time saving equipment photos chapter 4: top plate log framing diagram chapter 4: cutting out a window opening diagrams chapter 4: placing splines for windows diagrams chapter 4: log roof details and diagrams chapter 5: roof section w/ mechanical interfaces chapter 5: interface of wood stove w/ log structure diagrams chapter 5: plumbing vent stack in framed wall diagram chapter 5: utility chase diagram chapter 5: arctic utilities retrofit to log structure diagrams chapter 5: venilation for log structures diagrams chapter 6: photos of old log structures chapter 6: diagram of typical log structure problems chapter 6: details showing suggested energy retrofit of old log structures chapter 6: hot and cold roof retrofits, dew point diagram chapter 6: fixing joint between top wall log and roof details chapter 6: sealing flue penetrations through ceiling details