What are the distinctive features of this construction type?
This purely Canadian style is characterised by a construction method that combines a log ground floor with a frame first floor: the exterior walls and part of the interior walls of the first floor are built from round logs with diameter 34cm or larger, while the first floor is a nonshrinking frame structure, which also utilises large logs. The truss can be made of logs and remain a part of the first floor interior, or can be made of beams and stay hidden inside the roofing system. The distinctive feature of this structure is the use of a large number of logs whose size exceeds the 6m standard. It makes it possible to dispose of nonbearing partitions and increase the internal space
Beginning of the shrinkage process. Upper gap in the underscribe notch is maximal.
Drying
Midpoint of the shrinkage process. Underscribe gaps reduce. Upper log lowers along the planes of the grooves.
Logs move down
End of the shrinkage process. The gap in the notch is minimal, filled with thermal insulation.
What wood to use for house construction?
The density of wood first of all depends on the soil that it grows on and the climate. The soil affects its density more than the climate. The average harvesting age of wood is 80-100 years - this is the amount of time a tree needs to reach a required diameter.
We often choose spruce for this style because in construction we use many long logs exceeding 6m with a large diameter. It is possible to build a house from pinewood, but it will substantially increase the time of construction due to the fact that it is quite difficult to find such large pine sawlogs.
Wood moisture is the same in summer and in winter, but it is better to build from winter wood. The ideal construction wood is dry, regardless of wood species. Unfortunately, the only way to dry round logs is natural drying, which will take two years in order for the logs to reach the moisture content of 20-25%.
When building a house from cedar, it is necessary to remember that it takes minimum 2 months for newly cut logs to be delivered to the construction site; that is why it is important to schedule cedar wood shipment for winter in order to avoid wood discolouration. There are no restrictions for larch wood.
We recommend: logging from November to June.
Technology, how to build?
We recommend using Canadian technology for diameters exceeding 34cm. Canadian corner joint system without an internal tongue, W-shaped groove 12-15cm wide. Notches can be located just above (Canadian) or above and below (diamond). The external notches affect only the exterior look of a house, they have no influence on the shrinkage technology. Using Robert W. Chambers method, during the construction we cut larger grooves at log ends at certain heights. Using Underscribe (gap inside a notch) and Overscribe (gap at butt ends) gaps makes it possible to take into account the reduction of log diameter during shrinkage. We use foam packing and soft insulation to insulate grooves and notches. We build handcrafted log houses based on this method for Germany and Austria as it is most popular in these countries nowadays.
The pioneer of the Canadian construction method is Robert W. Chambers; he is an internationally recognised authority on the construction of wooden houses. His book - a guide to building wooden houses - is a bestseller. Unfortunately, people in Russia know only what a Canadian notch is, but this is just a visible part of his teaching.
We recommend using Canadian technology for diameters exceeding 34cm. Canadian corner joint system without an internal tongue, W-shaped groove 12-15cm wide. Notches can be located just above (Canadian) or above and below (diamond). The external notches affect only the exterior look of a house, they have no influence on the shrinkage technology. Using Robert W. Chambers method, during the construction we cut larger grooves at log ends at certain heights. Using Underscribe (gap inside a notch) and Overscribe (gap at butt ends) gaps makes it possible to take into account the reduction of log diameter during shrinkage. We use foam packing and soft insulation to insulate grooves and notches. We build handcrafted log houses based on this method for Germany and Austria as it is most popular in these countries nowadays.
We are lucky: our partners in Germany trained with Robert W. Chambers, and as they commission us to build houses, they taught us this method and adamantly monitor that every house complies with it.
In order to build a house based on this technology, you need to know: how to make a Canadian notch and how it works during the settling process, what is the size of the gap in the notch during shrinkage, what gaps are made between log rows during the construction, how to make a W-shaped groove properly, what areas require the use of long logs, what types of log joints are possible, what are the specifics of first-floor joints in a frame structure, how to fasten rafters in accordance with subsequent eaves cladding, how to hew ceiling beams and walls in the areas where floors are subsequently installed, and so on.
This is just one small description of how to make a famous Canadian notch and the specifics of its construction.
If you want to build a turnkey house based on the Canadian method in Saint Petersburg or Leningradskaya Oblast, then you are in the right place! We offer only the best materials and the most skilled craftsmens - order a Canadian house project and its construction from us at an optimal price!
We are open to dialogue, and you can always count on our warm attitude. Please, visit us - we certainly have something to be proud of and what to offer to your attention.
Russia, Saint Petersburg, Oktyabrskaya naberezhnaya, 112
Telephone: +7 (812) 438-07-67 (add: *1 in dial tone mode)
Construction site: +7 (921) 412-76-82
We look forward to seeing you at our construction sites daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Frame house
The walls of a frame house resemble a sandwich. Thermal insulation is Rockwool. Various finishing materials are used to sheathe the exterior and the interior in accordance with the architectural design.
Round-log house
Traditional Russian style, diameters ranging from 280mm to 450mm. Canadian notch. The distinctive features of a round-log house include environmental friendliness, excellent thermal insulation, natural ventilation and durability.
Two-edged cant house
All interior and exterior walls, gables are made of two-edged cant with 210-250mm thickness. Such style is common in Norway. The distinctive features of a two-edged cant house include environmental friendliness, superb thermal insulation, natural ventilation, durability and convenience of the interior living space.
Log frame house
Purely Canadian type of construction. The ground floor - handcrafted log structure, W-shaped groove, Canadian notch. The first floor – non-shrinking frame structure.
