Blog - Page 18 of 123 - Handmade Houses with Noah Bradley

Field stone? or river rock?

Which do you prefer?
The traditional method of gathering stone found on the property and laid in a horizontal pattern?
Or, the more modern use of stones gathered from rivers and stream beds and applied in a random pattern?

For me the answer is obvious. The field stone chimney will stand strong for millennia without the aid of cement. But remove the cement from the river rock chimney and you’d have a pile of bowling ball shaped stones spread out across your yard.

Originally posted 2015-08-17 16:33:46.

Field stone? or river rock?Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:20:11+00:00

Exposed framing

Here’s a nice look for those seeking to build a cottage near the beach. The exposed framed walls are built using new lumber, that is then backed with siding, and to finish it is all then painted.

A layer of insulated panels is next applied to the exterior and then finished siding is applied.

Likely a bit more expensive than standard construction, but the finished result has so much more character don’t you think?

Originally posted 2015-08-17 12:43:17.

Exposed framingNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:20:10+00:00

Where did the attics go?

We’ve lost a treasured feature in the homes being built today… the attic.

Roof trusses have made our homes cheaper and faster to build. I question their durability and longevity but one thing can’t be debated we have lost a tremendous amount of usable space within our homes…. a treasured space.

Originally posted 2015-08-16 22:43:12.

Where did the attics go?Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:20:09+00:00

Wood or Stone?

When it comes time to add on to your log home… will that addition be made of wood, or stone?

For many, if cost were the same for either, would choose stone. Without a doubt the stone is a more expensive option… in the short run. But over the coming decades, and even centuries, as the wood siding will need maintenance, repairs and even replacement, the stone will be there… forever.

But the wood should not be considered second rate by any means. There is a warmth and charm to wood. People who are drawn to log homes are also wood fanatics, they can’t get enough of it. And that is a good thing.

The choice is yours to make.

Which will you choose?

Originally posted 2015-08-16 13:41:08.

Wood or Stone?Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:20:08+00:00

Historic homestead

A mighty fine cabin and homestead located within the Great Smokey Mountain park. What’s not to like about this place?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Originally posted 2015-08-15 20:39:17.

Historic homesteadNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:20:07+00:00

Homesteading

Yes, it is true.
At one time I did create a garden for my new bride and I with the aid of a team of horses, a plow, and the generous help of some wonderful neighbors. (The country folk of Tennessee are some of best people that walk this earth).
That’s me with my hand on the plow… a much younger and leaner version of me, I might add.
This was my “recreational work” … when I wasn’t building my future home, or salvaging material for it.

Originally posted 2015-08-15 20:26:41.

HomesteadingNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:20:06+00:00

Log cabin notches… which is the best?

There are three different types of corner notches on log cabins found here in the Mid-Atlantic states… the half-dovetail, the V-notch, and the square notch.

The half-dovetail and the V-notch are found on log homes and barns and even often on barns and other types of outbuildings. Whereas I have only seen the square notch used on supplemental farm buildings.

The half-dovetail, as seen above, I believe, is the most attractive of the three types of notches and offers the added benefit of ensuring that all of the rain that strikes the top of the notch drains out of the notch and to the exterior of the cabin. You would think it would be a difficult notch to make but I have found it easier to make than the V-notch and not much harder than the square notch.

The V-notch is perhaps slightly more common in old cabins. The top of each notch looks like a pointed roof of a house. I have heard some people refer to this notch as a saddle notch, but that name I reserve for the notch used out west where round logs are commonly used and thus rounded notches are created for them… which makes each notch look like a saddle. (I wouldn’t ever want to ride a horse with a saddle that was shaped like a pointed roof of a house)

And then finally, there is the square notch. A common choice among farmers wanting to get their barns up quickly and covered over with a large overhanging roof that would protect these notches from ever getting wet. The notches’ flat tops and bottoms invite rain in and don’t allow it drain out so rot would soon happen if left exposed to weather. These notches also offer no horizontal binding strength so each notch is “blind pegged” from above as each log is put in place. (blind pegged meaning that you don’t see the pegs)

So when it comes time to build your cabin… which notch will you use?

Originally posted 2015-08-13 13:37:07.

Log cabin notches… which is the best?Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:20:05+00:00

A retreat? or a room?

Would you rather have a small log cabin to retreat to from the busyness of this life? or, would you rather have that same cabin connected to your home where you could easily enjoy it every day?