Roof-Rafters and Decking
With the ceiling joists finished, work begins on the roof system. Instead of using manufactured trusses, the crew builds our rafters on site. Once the rafters are in place, the crew begins covering the structure with plywood sheeting and an asphalt roofing paper known as roof felt.
The crew begins by building an elaborate scaffolding that provides a series of stable work platforms for setting the rafters in place (figure A).
Each of the rafters is made from a 16' long board of 2x10 dimensions. Before each board is passed up to the crew, a carpenter cuts and chisels two notches (figure B) that will allow the rafter to rest atop the 2x4 top plate that's nailed to the top row of logs.
The first rafter is lifted and set in place, then checked to assure a good fit (figure C). If necessary, the rafter is passed back down to the carpenters to make any minor adjustments to the fit.
The first section of ridge beam is placed on the scaffolding so that the men can nail the first three rafters to it. The fourth rafter is then nailed into position at the ridge beam and at the top of the log wall (figure D).
This process continues (figure E) until all rafters are installed.
With the last rafter in place, the crew begins dropping 4' by 8' sheets of half-inch plywood on the roof and nailing them to the rafters.
As soon as the plywood has been started, asphalt roofing-paper is used to cover the plywood decking, keeping it dry in the event of an unexpected shower. Since the roof is too steep to walk on, the crew also builds a walk board from two 2x4s and nails it to the decking (figure F).
An opening is left in the roof to make it easier for the workers to connect the porch roof to the main roof later. It doesn't take long for the crew to get the second run of plywood all the way across the length of the house. In just a few hours' time, the entire roof structure is covered with plywood and roofing paper.
Electrical-Wiring Installation
With the roof structure installed, the interior of the cabin is somewhat protected from the elements, so rough-in electrical installation can begin. "Roughing in" refers to installing the infrastructure for the electrical wiring -- including the meter base outside the house, the panel box for the circuit breakers, the main wiring that leads into the house and the wiring that leads to individual outlets and switches. At this stage in our project, we bring in licensed electricians who will install the wiring according to proper specifications. We also determine the location for a backup propane generator.
Ensuring that electrical power is provided to every place where it's needed requires good planning, carefully following your blueprints, and having a clear line of communication with your electrician. Remember that in addition to light switches and standard outlets, you'll need power to bathroom receptacles, floor heaters, kitchen appliances, garbage disposal, etc.
The electricians start by installing the meter base on the side of the house (figure G).
Since our circuit-breaker box inside the house will be located more than 5' away from this meter base, the building code requires that we also install a main shutoff switch called a disconnect (figure H).
Heavy-duty clippers are used to cut through the main feeder wire that connects the meter base to the circuit-breaker box. The heavy main feeder wire is bent at a right angle so that it can be fed from the outside of the house into the crawlspace (figure I).
Inside the house, the electricians pick a location in the hallway for a circuit-breaker box and install it between two studs (figure J). They are careful to mount the front of the box 1/2" away from the studs to allow for the drywall, which will be hung later.
The main feeder wire from the meter base outside the house enters through a hole that is drilled in the floor beneath the circuit-breaker box (figure K).
They drill several additional holes for the wires that will travel through the crawlspace to the outlets and switches around the cabin (figure L). One electrician feeds the wire up from the crawlspace under the floor as an assistant pulls out enough to reach the circuit-breaker box.
Plastic boxes for light switches are placed it the recesses that the carpenters had earlier cut into the outside log walls.
Even with good advance planning, many decisions have to be made on-site. It's recommended that you go over the blueprints with your electrician, checking on the precise location of the walls, outlets, switches, bathroom fixtures, etc. Placement of electrical outlets will be effected by such things as the dimensions of you refrigerator, placement of kitchen cabinets, oven location, etc. Some kitchen appliances need be on separate circuits, so getting the wires in a proper location is critical.
RESOURCES :
Special Thanks for DIY Build a Log Cabin workshop
Blossman Gas
Website: www.blossmangas.com/
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
The Cabin: Inspiration for the Classic American Getaway
Model: 0879056711
Author: Dale Mulfinger, Susan E. Davis
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.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
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