DIY Network

West Virginia Log-Cabin: Introduction From "Be Your Own Contractor: Vacation Homes" episode DBCV-103

	A restored 19th Century log home in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
	Homeowners Richard and Sylvia Thomas.

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Each episode of DIY's Be Your Own Contractor: Vacation Homes introduces viewers to dreamers and do-it-yourselfers who oversaw the building of their own vacation home and hear about the challenges that they faced. In this episode of we meet Richard and Sylvia Thomas of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia and hear about their experiences restoring an early-1800s log cabin on land owned by Sylvia's family.

Richard and Sylvia were very hands-on in the restoration of their log cabin that was originally built in 1820. The cabin had been in Sylvia's family for many years. We hear how they dismantled, moved and reassembled it on their hilltop property that they call "Gobblers Knob.", and we learn about Berkeley Springs and why the Thomas's wanted to build there. We'll see how Richard cleared the land for the log cabin himself with the help of Sylvia's Dad. The discuss the clearing of the land and the diligent work that was required in bringing the cabin back to it's original form -- like scraping the white wash off of all the logs and attempting to salvage the original hardwood floor. They also share how they incorporated electric and plumbing into an 1820's cabin and how they added some authentic touches. Finally, Richard and Sylvia will share advice on being your own contractor.

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Restoring a Piece of History

Sylvia Thomas is a retired teacher and reading specialist, who educated students for over 30 years. Richard is now retired from his job as a mental health administrator. They were both working at the time the cabin was restored. They spend much of their free time antiquing, traveling, reading about and collecting artifacts from the Civil War, playing bridge and entertaining family and friends.

When they began considering the possibility of building a vacation home on their 20 acres of mountaintop land, they originally intended to build a new log-cabin structure. Fate intervened, however, when Sylvia's father offered the couple the opportunity to restore an existing log cabin that was built in 1820. The cabin, just down the road from the Thomas's parcel of land, stood next to a rural road and was in a fairly deteriorated state (figures A and B). The cabin had been in Sylvia's family since the 1920s, so the idea of preserving it was immediately appealing to her.

Figure A

Figure B

Log-home restoration specialist Doug Reed.

It's Not Just Lincoln Logs

Uncertain whether it would be possible or economically feasible to relocate and restore the cabin, the couple turned to log-cabin expert Doug Reed for advice. Doug's company, Preservation Associates, specializes in log-cabin restoration. After an initial inspection, Doug found the cabin to be in good, restorable condition. He assured the couple that the cabin could be safely dismantled and moved. Moreover, the cabin was found to have an interesting history, so preserving it would be doubly rewarding.

Figure C

The idea of being directly and physically involved with the project appealed to Richard, so he committed to being onsite during some of restoration -- at least on the weekends. The couple's principal home in suburban Maryland was about 100 miles from the cabin site. The Thomases stayed in constant communication with Doug Reed to ensure consistency among ideas, plans and execution. Doug welcomes the input of his clients in projects such as this one and found the couple's involvement satisfying.

When the original cabin was dismantled (figure C), it was discovered that nearly all of the logs would be usable in the re-assembled structure. A temporary road was built in order to transport the dismantled cabin and building materials a third of a mile to the hilltop location where it could be rebuilt according to its original plan.

Doug's company assembled the rough log structure (figure D and E) using levels and strings, much like the old-timers did.

Figure D

Figure E

The old cabin went back together without a hitch (figure F and G).

Figure F

Figure G

	Figure H
	Figure I
	Figure J
	The original log cabin had been in Sylvia Thomas's family for many years.

The original mud-and-straw chinking between the logs was replaced with new lime-content mortar (figure H). According to Doug, there are typically several options available in decisions involving materials, and individual owners can make their decision based on such factors as durability, cost and the level of authenticity desired in the historic restoration.

Though the Thomases were reluctant to re-cover the reassembled logs with siding, Doug recommended that they consider covering the exposed exterior walls with cedar siding to slow down further deterioration of the logs. He also stressed the importance of putting on a good roof to protect the wood. Doug asserts that more than 50 percent of his log business comes from repairing logs that have been exposed to the weather and the elements. And at the risk of stating the obvious, he has some sage wisdom that owners of log cabins should be aware of: "Wood rots." The greater the exposure to weather, the faster the wood will deteriorate. The durable cedar siding (figures I and J) will help to shield the nearly 200-year-old logs from the weather, hopefully aiding them to last another couple of centuries. The front exterior wall of the cabin, which would ultimately be protected by the porch overhang, could be left with the logs exposed for the classic log-cabin look.

In the segment that follows, the do-it-yourselfers discuss the location they chose for their vacation home and the steps they had to take to prepare the site for the relocated and restored log cabin.

RESOURCES :

The Complete Guide to Building Log Homes
ISBN: 0806974869
Author: Monte Burch, Richard J. Meyer, Lloyd P. Birmingham
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com

Small Log Homes: Storybook Plans and Advice
ISBN: 1586850431
Author: Robbin Obomsawin
Gibbs Smith Publishing
Website: www.gibbs-smith.com

Inside Log Homes: The Art & Spirit of Home Planning and Decor
Model: 087905963X
Author: Cindy Teipner Thiede, et al
Gibbs Smith Publishing
Website: www.gibbs-smith.com

Special Resources for Be Your Own Contractor: Vacation Homes, episode 103

Fidalgo Restoration, LLC
Website: www.fidalgorestoration.com

American Log Restoration
Website: www.americanlogrestoration.com

Old Log Cabins
Website: www.oldlogcabins.com