SUMMER SPECIAL: Handcrafted Log Cabin Sale Calico Plan 20′ W x 24′ D 720 Square Feet First Floor Bedroom, Open Loft            One Calico Package            $53,900            MULTI UNIT DISCOUNT FOR THREE             One Calico Package             $53,900                                                 X           3 Subtotal 3 Calicos               $ 161,700 Multi Unit Discount           -  27,000 TOTAL FOR 3 CALICOS $ 134,700      

SUBSTANTIAL MULTI UNIT DISCOUNTS NOW AVAILABLE!!! We are currently offering substantial discounts to customers who purchase three or more of most plans that we offer. Combination bulk discounts can also be negotiated. Here is a collection of 30 of our Chalet plans that were sold to a resort. The Queest and Owls Head plans are also [...]

Heavy Timber Post and Beam Construction

Just as log homes are centuries old, timber framing is another art from log ago. Lake Country Log Homes began offering heavy timber post and beam- timber framing- due to the loveliness and functionality of these homes. Some timber frame structures in Japan and Europe have been standing for nearly 1,000 years.     

Timber framing allows for larger expanses and internal spaces of homes to be uninterrupted by interior load baring walls. The superstructure supports the entire building.  Each piece of our heavy timber home and buildings are handcrafted. In the log home world, it is like comparing milled log homes to handcrafted log homes. The handcrafted are more expensive, but they are much more unique and every log is hand scribed for its particular placement. And so our heavy timber homes far out weigh machine produced timber frames.    

It is not hard to picture barns and even cathedrals with the massive trusses and timbers forming the walls and ceilings. From the turn of the century to the mid 1970′s timber framing almost became extinct because of the introduction of building methods such as steel. But a group of master craftsmen revived this style of construction and it has only gained in popularity in the past 35 years.      

Mortise and Tenon

Heavy Timber Post and Beam can be used for commercial building, entire homes, home additions, and even entry ways and covered porches. Any structure can be built with framing lumber and nails, but very few have the naturalness and extreme beauty that exposed timbers, king trusses, heavy timber trusses, mortise and tenon, and dovetail joinery add. Pictured below is double dovetail. The octagon post is the top of a log turret, also popular additions to post and beam homes. Wood dows are also used for more complex joints.        

Double Dove Tail Joinery

 When a heavy timber post and beam home is built, first all of the timbers are squared. Then, each in turn, the beams are fit into the superstructure until the entire shell is standing in our yard. Then each is numbered, handsanded, dissembled, and wrapped for shipment. (Ban saw or smooth finish available). Timbers range commonly from 8″ to 12″. Some especially heavy ones can be as large as 18″x18″. All of our homes come with Construction Drawings. We can build any home or building to any specifications.      

Typically, the more complicated the outside outline of the home, the more expensive to create. Bays, wings, changes in roof lines, and turrets all enhance the home but require more time and material to produce.      

For timber framing that is far from ordinary, or adding accents to a home through porches and timber stairs, our heavy timber framing is ideal.      

Heavy Timber Home

Post and Beam

Post and Beam Construction is the art of using round logs to provide only the superstructure of the home. Post and Beam homes and structures are made from the handcrafted logs. Sometimes it is confused with the term timber framing. The main difference is that when the word “log” is used, it means that the logs are round. When the term “timber” is used, it means that the logs – or timbers- are square in profile. When we supply either a post and beam or timber frame home, all of the logs or timbers are still part of our handcraft department. Post and Beam construction allows for those home owners who desire the advantages of the clear span open construction and the naturalness of wood, but do not want solid log homes.

Post and Beam Joinery

What makes our Post & Beam homes handcrafted? Because every log is hand peeled. Then it is cut and fitted by hand into the superstructure of the home. Lifted by cranes, each of the logs is cradled by a sling to prevent scarring and marking to the logs. There are no machine cuts at all in our handcrafted homes. Another flair to the handcrafted homes is the ability to allow the bottom of the logs to be wider for accent. On the front of our Hunter Plan below you can see how the log bases are wider.

The best post and beam joinery utilizes mortise and tenon. Photos are better than words for this. Below is a picture detailing the mortise and tenon. Logs have a mean diameter of 13 to 14″ inches at midpoint and 12″-18″ at ends. Log lengths can reach up to 50 feet. 

Post and Beam Construction

The two log species used for round post and beam are Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. Douglas Fir is lovely in color and had the log strength needed for the type of construction. Western Red Cedar is the very top of the line for homes. Though more expensive, it pays for itself many times over. This unique type of home is sought after across the world. Only available to be harvested in the Pacific Northwest of North America, this tree is referred to as the “tree of life”. It remains sound for over 100 years. The natural oils in it repel insects and decay. When shipping over seas, the Western Red Cedar is the only wood that is allowed for handcrafted homes because there is literally no risk of bugs being transported in it. Other types of wood can be shipped internationally, but they must first be heat treated (available for manufactured log homes only.) Also Western Red Cedar has the very best thermal insulation properties of any of the commonly used soft woods.

Post and Beam Kits

Our Post and Beam Home packages can come either with logs only or a full dry in package. The superstructure of the home is of course the round post and beams. Then framing lumber and sheathing is used between the posts. And finally the exterior doors, windows, and roofing is installed.

Modern Post and Beam Construction

When electing to build a post and beam home more options are available for finishing the interior and exterior of the home. There are many different ways to finish the homes on the outside. The logs of course show on both the outside and inside of the structure. Then the exterior is most commonly completed with either stucco, wood siding, Western Red Cedar, cedar shakes, handcrafted log siding, or a combination.

Just like the exterior, the homeowner can choose any of several products to finish the interior walls. I have seen 1×6 Pine tongue and groove or Cedar. This lends a warm wood feel throughout the home. Other options would include drywall, plaster, etc.

Post and Beam Plans

Any of our home plans, featured here on our website with the floor plans menu above, can be done in any of the four types of home we offer- Post and Beam, Timber Frame, Handcrafted Log Homes, and Manufactured Log Homes. As you look through our repertoire you will see some homes done in each of the varieties. We also offer commercial log structures in Post and Beam. Please contact us for more details.

Building Log Dreams,
Mike and Sue Lemmon
Cowboy Log Homes, Since 1997

The Calico 20′x24′ Handcrafted Log Home Package $74,900

The Calico is a handcrafted log home package. With an open loft and first floor bedroom, this cabin could be used for many things. Here is it actually pictured as a welcome booth for a resort. Also a first floor covered porch could easily be added under the front over hang.

The Calico Plan
First Floor 480 sq. ft.
Second Floor 240 sq. ft.
TOTAL  720 Square Feet

Click here to view  The Calico plan

This home is crafted from Engelmann Spruce with a median diameter of 13 inches. Logs vary in diameter from about 11 to 15 inches. Please find package description below.

Handcrafted Log Home Package
13″ mean diameter logs
Soft Rod
Through bolt log package assembly hardware
TPI grade stamp
Log Base Flashing

Handcrafted Stairs and Railing
Preassembled Log Stairs of Douglas Fir
Stair Landing
Log Railing for Upper Floor Railing of Western Red Cedar

 Windows -
Metal Clad Pine Wood Windows Jeld-wen
Trapezoid Windows for Gable Metal Clad Pine Wood Windows
Exterior Entry Door pre hung Hemlock

2×4 and 2×6 Framing For Interior Walls

Exterior Door and Window Buck and Trim-
Log Wall Bucks 2×10
Exterior Door and Window Trim of 1×6 Pine
Door and Window Flashing
Log Wall Jamb Liners 1×6 Shelving Pine Trim

Upper Sub-floor of 2×6 Fir T&G V-joint Flush One Sided Loft Decking

Upper Framed Walls-
2×4 Plates, Nailers, and Studs
Sheathing
Tyvek
Gable Flashing

Roof-
Rafters 24″ on center
Sub Fascia
Fascia
Sheathing
Soffit Vent
Spacer Board

Roofing-
Ice and Water Shield
Ridge Vent
Shingles 30 year
Eve Flashing

1×6 Tongue and Groove Pine Paneling for Roof Ceiling, Exterior Roof Soffit, and Interior of Gable Ends

1×8 STK Western Red Cedar Channel Siding for Exterior of Gable Walls

Construction Drawings

Shipping is additional and based on distance from Malakwa, British Columbia to job site. Prices are not guaranteed until contract signed and deposit received. Home offered by Cowboy Log Homes, Montana USA

Cowboy Log Homes is an Authorized Representative for Lake Country Log Homes 2009 LTD. of British C0lumbia, Canada. As a dealer, any projected costs, cost estimates, and estimated construction/building costs, are only the opinion of Cowboy Log Homes and are drawn from our experience. Every home is custom tailored to meet our individual client’s wants and desires. Due to the individualism of homes, any cost and cost estimates we provide are only that, simply estimates. The construction of a Lake Country Log or Timber home is based on two primary costs, material provided by Lake Country Log Homes 2009 LTD. and construction costs contracted with the builder of the customer’s choice. Final costs are obtained and contracted with each respectively. Cowboy Log Homes is simply the “glue” that helps bring these two together to provide a final columniation of a customer’s project.  

Handcrafted log homes and log siding

This particular commercial log structure stands in the tourist town of Jackson Hole Wyoming, USA. This sprawling building, known as The Hillside, features 4×12 handcrafted log siding from Western Red Cedar. With a cover of 10 3/4 inches, it goes well with this massive building. Additionally, all of the railing is handpeeled and handcrafted and made from Western Red Cedar. This structure also utilizes square beams for the roof system.

The handcrafted log siding has a special stress relief groove in the back of each piece to help prevent cracking. This log siding is great for commercial or residential use. Handcrafted log homes depart from the uniform standard manufactured log look, and instead reflect the more natural flair of the log.

With today’s energy concerns, Western Red Cedar is getting looked at more and more closely. Many times Western Red Cedar is chosen for it’s beauty. Also the natural oils in this wood species helps to repel insects and resist decay. Western Red Cedar is referred to as the ‘tree of life’. It remains sound for over 100 years. Also the cellular structure of this type of the Red Cedar has the best thermal insulator of any commonly used softwood. The combination of handcrafted log and Western Red Cedar for the log species is the very top of the line in the log home industry. (Pictured top right in photo above).

Handcrafted log homes use logs that have a median diameter of 13″ and utilize logs from 11″ up to 15″ in diameter. Each log is hand peeled with the traditional draw knife. The log cabin siding to match the handcrafted logs is made in the same way. From small homes to the large log cabin lodges, the siding can be found. Not very common, we are proud to offer it through Cowboy Log Homes.

Commercial Log Structures

Over the years Lake Country Log Homes has handled multiple large commercial projects. As a versatile company they possess the skill and expertise necessary to design, engineer, and produce these huge log structures. This is actually Queen Charlotte Lodge in British Columbia. Custom fashioned by Lake Country Log Homes design staff, engineers, and master log craftsmen.

Both buildings of this Canadian lodge are constructed of milled log, handcrafted turned log timber roof system, handcrafted railing, and is set off by a huge custom log spiral staircase joining the two levels of this log castle.

When perfectly round logs are over 8″ in diameter, then they are processed on a turn lave. A log with a diameter of up to 24″ is required in order to mill a perfectly round log that is 10, 12, or 13 inches in diameter. These are really unique homes, but they do cause a lot of waste. Turned log homes are more expensive than manufactured log (aka milled log) and handcrafted log homes. The logs are first turned in the lave, then they are hand cut by the log masters to fit them together with hand craftsmanship.

So when it comes to your turn to build your log home dream, it is comforting to know that it is being handled by a company which has so much experience.

Cowboy Log Homes, Belgrade Montana  

We are currently offering substantial discounts for orders of three or more identical log homes. Please contact us for more details.

Commercial log structures are nothing new to Lake Country. Here is the large Queen Charlotte Lodge, located on the rugged Pacific coast of British Columbia, CANADA. With a total of four log buildings, this Lodge is a log paradise. The wide log spiral staircase coming down the front of the Totem Building on the left (below) was custom crafted for this building. Also below are two large commercial buildings that were custom designed for a resort in… can you guess? I couldn’t! This is actally located on the Yellow Sea in South Korea. Other of Lake Country’s log homes and commercial log structures can be found as wide spread as Germany, Holland, Japan, and the Phillipians. With over 30 years in the log industry we are known around the globe as one of the leading manufacturers of log homes. Cowboy Log Builders LLC