Folks, This is the summer we will put a deck on our full scribe log home: http://www.koventusa.com/kovacs/cabin/cabinfrontsmall.jpg The plan is to build stone pillar foundations to support log posts that will support the deck. The log builder discouraged us from using log joists because of their exposure to the elements so I’m looking for some design ideas that would make the deck as interesting as the house. Also the deck structure will be seen from below. One thought was to use 4×12 joists at 20″ or 24″ (or even wider) centers but 4x12s aren’t easy to come by and then what decking would span 24″? Would 5/4 ipe span 24″? Any ideas out there for a unique structure? Terry
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I don't have any ideas. We just went with regular dimensional lumber on our log home decks. Since on our house everything is stained dark, it really isn't that big a deal. You don't notice it all that much. I just wanted to say COOL HOUSE!!! and ask you a question: What did you use to side your basement. It looks really nice in the picture.
There are other log folks here that will probably have some good ideas.
Thanks for the complement. The siding is rough surface shiplap installed vertically. We used the same under the roof overhang.
My only thought was to build a typical deck structure, then trim it out with log siding around the band board.
Maybe some redwood deck boards would look better than the typical treated SYP. Or you could get trex in a color to match your logs.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
I had a log place a few years ago. I tried to steer clear of Log-Kitsch. Ended up with a kind of rustic-industrial/shabby chic thing. What do I mean? well, I used steel bracketry and chain and turnbuckles and steel tube and plate for a landing handrail that was carefully mated to pine pole handrail above the steps. The doors were battened boards or sharp monochrome paint over whatever I had. The bath vanity top was a slab of Ash Fork sandstone with a gooseneck faucet on a circular porcelain bowl. Lamps were copper stalks that emerged from the wall logs. What I realized is this: logs are an elemental material, as is steel and copper and cleave-edged sanstone.
For your deck why not consider a welded steel frame with boards TEK screwed to the steel? Just some thoughts-
Lance
Thanks for your interesting ideas. I don't think I can sell my SO on a steel structure but I think it would be interesting. Steel brackets are a possibility though. Did you have them custom made?
Terry
Hi-
At the time, I'd established a great working relationship with a local welder. He was completely open to having me in the shop with him. We'd either lay things out in the shop or I'd simply drop a drawing. Now though, I'm the local welder and so I'd be glad to advise you on sizing or I'd even be glad to make brackets or whatever and ship 'em to you.
If you'd like, email a drawing and maybe I can share some ideas. I love this kind of thing- 'cause if well done, they can add so much substance and "smarts" to a place.
P.S. Where's your project?
Lance
Thanks for the offer. I'll get back to you if I decide I need something out of the ordinary. Right now I'd just like to find something better than galvanized joist hangers. Could paint'em I guess... Project is in Northern VT.
Tkovacs, nice looking place! I do a lot of decks on log homes - typically we will set log posts on top of concrete sonatubes with the posts running up to top of handrail height. Then we notch our outside rim/band joist into these posts and run joists perpendicular to the house. We don't have SYP here - usually frame with doug fir/larch or a (brown) pressure treated 2x. With a select structural doug fir 2x6 you can span 24" with no problem. Redwood would probably be ok, and I think I heard 5/4 ipe would span 24". I like to notch the decking into the posts also.
Finish the deck out with lodgepole handrail and it looks great - unfortunately the handrail will take a severe weather beating over a few years...
I think 4x framing would look good (also would drop the decking span down another 1.5" or 2"), and I like the idea of a log wrap on the outside edge.
Edited 4/17/2003 12:57:58 AM ET by mpeachbill
Thanks. How do you attach the log posts to the foundation?
Terry
I have used several methods to attach posts to concrete sonatubes - cheesy way is to simply run a stick of rebar out the top of the concrete while pouring. Then find center of post, drill hole slightly larger than rebar, and set post on it. This stops lateral movement but not vertical.
Better way is to embed a metal tie-down in the concrete. I have used some that were probably made by Simpson, though I don't remember for sure. They were H shaped with the bottom legs of the H connected, and the bottom half of the H was in the concrete. The top part of the H had predrilled holes in it for attaching the post. Its a bit tricky, but you can chainsaw a groove in the bottom of the post to slip onto the H. Then run lag bolts into the sides of the log through the predrilled holes and you have a good tie-down system. Also, the metal serves to separate the wood from the concrete, detering rot.