Category Archives: Building a log home

April 8, 2013

Curbless shower install in a non-conforming bathroom area remodel

By Mike Knoche

Custom curbless shower remodel in Fairbanks, Alaska

This bathroom was not part of the original design of this house and was a closet before becoming a master bath.

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The original remodel was a disaster from the get go. Look at how small the shower cavity is. The high point in the shower was 5’6″ inches. The homeowners wanted to install a simple walk-in shower stall but as you can see from the space, that would have left some wasted and awkward space.

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Here we removed the tub and previous wet wall.

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We went the opposite direction to include the angled wall as the back wall for the shower surround.

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James fastens the Densheild to the wall.

After Ful access, ADA, universal design showers and bathrooms

Let’s revisit before

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This shower has a zero profile transition from floor into the shower.

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Previously curbless showers were thought of as an ADA use only but now in Fairbanks we are moving towards “Universal Design”. The concept being that you plan for the future today.  New homes should have some design incorporated that allows for any disabled, short or long term, person to use the facilities. Plan design in advance allows for control over the way it looks and saves 10′s of 1000′s of dollars down the road on remodels.  If you are building a custom home in Fairbanks, Alaska, contact us about Universal Design ideas.

Thanks for visiting.  Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

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Still winter here!

Licensed, bonded, insured contractor in Fairbanks, Alaska

3 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Building a log home, Curbless Shower, Remodels, Tile

June 8, 2012

Building a log home (Part 4- Roof is on)

By Mike Knoche

The 12/12 (45 degree pitch) roof on this custom Fairbanks, Alaska home.

Laying out felt (tar paper) for quality built roof.

We pushed the roof metal up the ladder.  It was cumbersome and luckily the weather cooperated.

Luke screws down the last few rows of screws as we bring the steel across the top back to front (left to right).

Tom is at the peak tied off and loving the pitch.

Now the other side…

Tom and Luke work on the valley next to the dormer…

…really far off the ground. That extension ladder is 40 feet long.  We moved purposefully.

Below is a valley on the eyebrow that helps protect the logs.

Front entry corner eyebrow.

View of finished roof from southeast.

The northwest view does not show much roof but you can see the finished eyebrow corners.

The house is ready for any number of next steps such as windows and siding.  We will reconvene in July to figure out whats next.

Thanks for visiting.  Please see our website for more information or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks remodeler and general contractor.

 

1 comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Building a log home, Featured article, Homes

May 31, 2012

Building a log home (Part 3- Trusses on the roof)

By Mike Knoche

Truss day.  Lots of people to help stand these trusses.  Fairbanks Truss manage to get down the narrow driveway.  We laid this out and cut some blocking the previous day.  To see the double wall construction link back to “…Part 2“  of this home.

The longest truss is 28 feet.  They are all 11 1/2 feet tall.

Swinging out over the guest cabin.

The boom did not have the reach to get across to the west gable end so we set them down as close as we could, sheeted the gable end, and stood it.  We built a temporary wall in the center of the room to support the truss peaks.

There are no photos while rolling trusses because everyone needs to be on task.  Taking pictures is a distraction.

Above- The east gable end is sheeted on the ground before operator Jay put this lat one exactly into place with no adjustments necessary. He’s done this a couple times.

Above and below gable shot before and after sheeted gable went up.

Eve on.

South side sheeted with 5/8 inch CDX plywood.

A little head scratching on another architectural detail above the bay.

Below is the detail worked out.

Roof is sheeted and ready for felt (tar paper).  We should have that done and some tin on the roof today.  Photos of the finished roof next Thursday. Any questions?

Thanks for visiting.  Please see the Straight Ahead Construction, llc website for more information or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

Straight Ahead Construction, llc is a locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

 

3 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Building a log home, DIY, Homes

May 23, 2012

Building a log home (Part 2- Floor and Walls)

By Mike Knoche

The second story deck of this Fairbanks, Alaska log home is down.  In the previous post “Building a log home (Part 1- The Plan)”,  there are photos showing the logs and beams before this deck went down.  Here is a scan of the floor plan sketch.


The deck consists of 2X6 T&G flooring with 1 1/8″ plywood over the top.  The T&G makes and attractive ceiling downstairs and then plywood provides a strong sub floor.

Now the plywood

  

The south wall goes up.  We put Tyvek on in advance for two reasons.  First, its just easier to have it on and tape the corners.  Second because of the log “eyebrow” shield at the bottom of the wall. The eyebrow helps protect the log from weather.  Though Tyvek is commonly used for finish siding in Goldstream Valley we will use it for its intended purpose and side the place in the fall or spring.

A few shots of the eyebrow detail.

We put the steel roofing and flashing on nearly all of the eyebrow to reduce ladder time later.

The bay walls

Here is the double wall detail from inside a window opening.  The walls are spaced 11 7/8 inches at the outside edge.  We will blow in insulation creating an r-38 wall.

A view of the bay double wall before top plating.

Top plates are on.  We will lay it out and get ready for trusses the first week in June.  These walls are so sturdy already that the normal bracing used seems overkill.

Keep your eye out for Part 3 where the 12/12 (45 degree) pitch roof goes on and you see me on the ground the whole time.

Thanks for visiting.  Please see the Straight Ahead Construction, llc website for more information or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

Straight Ahead Construction, llc is a locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

 

 

2 comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Building a log home, Homes

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