your log cabin does not suffer from damp problems. Any reasonably competent builder will be able to build the base for your log cabin. This time, instead of setting the sill logs directly on the ground, he gathered some flat rocks, arranged them in stacks and laid the sill logs across them to support the floor and log walls. Think of a basement as a combination of a slab foundation and crawl space. Without proper ventilation, moisture can build up leading to mold and rotting in wooden floors. Over time, some kinds of soil proved better than others at supporting the piers. On top of this, you will need lengths of 4" x 3" treated timber, at 800mm centres, running perpendicular to the rows of block. With all that said, I do like a good post tension concrete slab or piers under a slab. You dont want to risk an unmissed detail or not have a stamped and insured plan on an investment that size. You will need to put a Radon barrier and venting system beneath your base. (30-33 N concrete.). This moisture can come from 2 main sources: the ground and precipitation (rain, snow etc). We can help give some insight on a broad range of in depth issues with existing log home construction problems and the planning of new log homes. Talk with a professional in your area to ensure that you are making the right choice as well as abiding by local code requirements. Geography, climate and personal preference should guide your decision. While rock piers created a solid base on hard, stable soil, they were less than ideal when ground was soft or soil conditions poor. Homes have four general foundation types. In colder climates, the trench around the edge had to be deep, requiring a lot of digging and, more importantly, a lot of expensive concrete. In my personal opinion, I think anything over 3000 sq ft or 300K, I recommend getting an engineer involved. I have seen it for $1500 all the way to $7500. window.google_analytics_uacct="UA-16956194-2"; Which type of Log Cabin Foundation? James Ray Spahn. “Let the concrete flow into it. A thick polythene sheet covered with deep pea gravel, will stop any vegetation growing underneath the building. After this process is completed then you will have a more exact cost and timeline figure for the construction plan. The best option for one log cabin is not necessarily the best for another. Again use a foundation which relates to your overall project. The accuracy of log cabin foundations is the key to starting off right when building your log structure. We scrutinized several methods for building a cost effective, easy to build and rock solid cabin foundation for our 20ft x 24ft cabin. When general contracting your own project, only you will know which way to go. (function(a,e,c,f,g,b,d){var h={ak:"1067376196",cl:"xoGACMPVvmAQxLz7_AM"};a[c]=a[c]||function(){(a[c].q=a[c].q||[]).push(arguments)};a[f]||(a[f]=h.ak);b=e.createElement(g);b.async=1;b.src="//www.gstatic.com/wcm/loader.js";d=e.getElementsByTagName(g)[0];d.parentNode.insertBefore(b,d);a._googWcmGet=function(b,d,e){a[c](2,b,h,d,null,new Date,e)}})(window,document,"_googWcmImpl","_googWcmAk","script"); I put (1 1/4"). What you should never do is cheap out on your foundations and put in something which is not strong enough, or will affect your logs in time. Your log cabin can last a lifetime, but its really important that it sits on a solid foundation. Any problem in this area after your log cabin is built can lead to very costly measure to rectify it. Always get professional advice from a qualified engineer before undertaking any foundations. Make sure the materials and design you use will stand the test of time. Take a look in more details at I have seen so many geo reports, soil samples and engineer reports over the years, that I have a good idea of whats required for worst case scenario soil. Types of log cabin foundations There are many different types of foundations and lots of variations on these themes. But there were still some issues. We also run a throated sill all around the foot of the cabin to throw water away from the base. Click here to go from log cabin foundations to the homepage One thing that is important to note here is your foundation design needs checking by someone who is an expert in the local ground conditions and knows all about your building regulations or codes for your local area. Entrances to your log cabin will only be a step or two, which can be important if occupants have difficulty climbing stairs. There are different types of tests and you can opt to bore more than one sample hole. For a standard, single storey cabin, we require a base 6 inch 804 hardstone and 5 inch concrete. Your foundation design can eliminate these potential problem areas. Everything else a foundation offers, such as storage or additional living space, is a bonus. He swiftly felled some trees and arranged them on the ground. Log Cabin Foundation Specifications. To re-iterate an earlier comment, please be aware of the overall costs, not just the foundation costs in isolation. According to The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterACHI) the purpose of a foundation is to “transfer the load of a structure to the earth and resist loads imposed by the earth.” foundation longevity. 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