RippleCraft Log Homes -- A Log Home Under Construction In Texas

Deep in the heart of Texas!

Ed and Robbi Turek began their search for a log home manufacturer several years ago. Their search ended with the purchase of a RippleCraft Log Home in the fall of 2006 with the delivery of their logs arriving on the outskirts of Austin, Texas on December 8, 2006.

Upon arrival of the truck, the Tureks placed the pallets onto the cement slab so that each individual log would be close at hand when it became needed. Being able to place logs like this saves the customer a lot of time when it comes to log erection.

Some log home companies pallet all their 8' logs together, their 10' logs together, their 12' logs together, etc., because, as they say, it saves the customer freight charges. In truth what this does is saves the log home company time in packaging and loading their shipment, and costs their customers valuable time when they have to sort through the pallets to find the next log that is needed.

Though not professional builders by trade, the Tureks are taking on the building of their new home as a family project--with absolutely no help from RippleCraft or building contractor other than telephone and e-mail consultations. Bravery is not a novel human trait in Texas, and the Tureks fit right in!

A log home can sit on any type of foundation. With this home being built on the rock of central Texas where basements are rare, the Turek's home is being placed on a slab foundation. On a slab, the bottom row of logs must be attached to the floor with anchor bolts that are set in the cement. In this situation the bottom row of logs is drilled on-site for the anchor bolts to pass through. (At this point in the process, Ed is very thankful for the invention of power tools.) Logs to be placed on any other type of foundation would have the bottom row of logs pre-drilled at the factory rather than on site.

After the bottom row is set in place, each subsequent row of logs can go down much more quickly. The experienced RippleCraft crew can set the logs on an average size log home in just two to four days. While we don't expect inexperienced crews to be able to work as efficiently as ours, we do supply many of our log homes to persons with no previous log home building experience. The Turek's are a prime example. It is because of this that we try our best to make certain that buyers of our homes understand completely how each phase of the construction process can best be completed.

The Tureks elected to build their home using RippleCraft's 8" D-Style White Pine logs. A D-Style log is a log that is round on the outside and flat on the inside with a v-groove joint visible on the interior side. As with all of our log styles, chinking is a purely cosmetic option.

Along with the pictures that we were sent after the logs were erected, Ed dropped us this little note--

"Now that the walls are up I feel even better that I found your company. The constructed walls are much straighter, tighter, and consistent than other logs I’ve seen in different model homes I’ve visited. I was pleasantly surprised to see no more than about 1/8 inch difference in the finish height of the walls. Having no experience building with logs, I’m relieved to know I can frame as if I was building stud walls, as far as consistent height."

Once the logs have been erected, it is time to put up the second floor system. The second floor system typically includes 6" x 6" posts, 6" x 12" header beams and 8" x 8" floor joist beams. Also included is either 2" x 6" or 2" x 8" RippleDecking. Of course, the sizes of the posts and beams can vary depending on several factors such as the span, the load and also the customer's preference. Beams can be round or square.

Notice how the second floor beams fit right into the top row of logs. The notches that make this possible are milled in the factory, before the logs are delivered.

When the 2nd floor beams have been installed they make for a great platform from which to work on higher areas. However, this working platform should not be made with the tongue and groove decking supplied with the floor system. Here, Ed and Robbi covered the second floor beams with sheathing. By not using the tongue and groove decking they can keep it out of the weather as construction commences on the roof.

Now comes the roof!

While there are several ways to start a roof, the Tureks chose to build the gables first. This allowed them a hard point on which to anchor their ridge and rafters. A second choice would be to suspend the ridge with a crane or sky track and attach rafters until the ridge can stay suspended in its proper place by the installed rafters. At that point, after all the rafters and ridge are put in place, the gable end walls could be built to fit the roof line.

When people build their own home there are usually several points in the process that create vivid memories.

One such memory maker for the Tureks will be the building and installation of the gable framing for their great room. Built as one piece on the ground and then installed as a single unit, Ed was mighty happy it fit right. Working by himself much of the time, Ed finds it difficult to blame the help.

The gable frame was built to hold four large triangle windows that will not only allow in a lot of light, but will also provide loft area occupants with a great view of the river basin below.

At right you can see where Ed has attached the ridge and ladder to the gable frame he made on the ground.

Before being able to set the rafters for the front porch roof, Ed and Robbi had to construct forms to be later filled with concrete. These cement pillars will become the bases for posts that will in turn hold up the porch's timber truss. Incidentally, the best concrete on Earth is mixed in a wheelbarrow. (You will have to ask Ed who makes the best back pain medicine on Earth.)

Once the beautifully hand-mixed concrete has been poured and the posts have been installed, the timber truss can be hoisted into its final resting place. In addition to the log shell for the home, the Tureks also purchased all their square timbers from RippleCraft.

Ed and Robbi have dedicated a lot of weekends to building their dream home. While progress may seem slow to them, each and every picture they send provides evidence that they are creating something very special. RippleCraft appreciates the Turek's willingness to offer us a view into their home building project. And, what a view it is!