A fake log cabin??

mountainwmn · #1 07/29/12, 05:14 AM

I'm looking at a place for sale. It looked like a log cabin on it. Up close, it almost looks like it's concrete. It's not a new one, but from the 50's. Does anyone know anything about this kind of house or where I can find more info. It definitely isn't logs, up close you can clearly see it's fake. Ok you don't even need to be that close.

Nette · #2 07/29/12, 05:41 AM

Sounds interesting...I'd like to see a picture of that.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 07/29/12, 06:44 AM

If it's ferro concrete construction, it will save you lots of money on insurance (less fire hazard), have fewer upkeep issues, and be less likely to harbor insects.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 07/29/12, 06:58 AM

Here's the company that makes/sells them:
Concrete Log Cabin Homes and Concrete Log Cabin Siding

stickinthemud · #5 07/29/12, 08:48 AM

My first thought--that would be a Bear to heat. But the promo says the homes are insulated. Be interesting to learn more, sure sounds like a good idea to build something fireproof in the western forests. Then need to finish it with fireproof curtains/shutters to keep fire away from the contents. (Thinking about the US Mint vs San Francisco fire.)
Smoke can smother so I would still evacuate.

mountainwmn · #6 07/29/12, 09:51 AM

Nope, its absolutely nothing like what they make now. The new ones are logs made out of concrete, they look real. This one looks like it was made with interlocking log - look slabs. I should have taken a picture of it. But it wouldn't have helped much since I never figured out how to load them anyway.
The realtor says it was built in 1956.

CarolT · #7 07/29/12, 10:16 AM

If it's an older house (from the 50s) wouldn't be that company, they started up in 2000. But that's still a fascinating idea. I have something to do some research on now...

ETA DH does concrete, it would be easy enough to do the slabs. Sure wish you did know how to do pics, I'd love to see it...

ETA If it's slabs stood up in sections, it's called tilt-wall construction.

Tilt up - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

salmonslayer · #8 07/29/12, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickinthemud

My first thought--that would be a Bear to heat. But the promo says the homes are insulated. Be interesting to learn more, sure sounds like a good idea to build something fireproof in the western forests. Then need to finish it with fireproof curtains/shutters to keep fire away from the contents. (Thinking about the US Mint vs San Francisco fire.)
Smoke can smother so I would still evacuate.

We have a rock house with a concrete block addition and I was very concerned about the ability to heat it but what we found is that the rock/concrete acts as a heat sink and its not only easy to keep warm, it has zero drafts and is a lot warmer than our previous home with even temps throughout. In the summer it stays cool with a little AC and we have been happily surprised.

Concrete logs sounds interesting as I like the look of a log home but after living in a real one...never again.

poorboy · #9 07/29/12, 11:04 AM

my grandad saw the Mill super at the Grandin sawmill (worlds largest at that time) and had slabs run through the edger..He built a 2 story farm house out of them that everyone in the country thought was a log home..his only cost was for the edging...hauled logs to the mill and sold them then built a house outa the waste slabs...

mountainwmn · #10 07/29/12, 11:38 AM

It might not even be concrete. It may be cinder block construction with some kind of covering, or it may have been poured right there. I have no idea. It looks like it is just painted brown.
I figured right away it would be easy to heat and cool, though it might get a little damp. It is very unique.

mountainwmn · #11 07/30/12, 08:37 AM

No one else has any idea? I would really like to have even a little info before I jump into it.

haypoint · #12 07/30/12, 08:57 AM

I've seen quite a few in northern Michigan. Concrete. I don't know if there were forms that they poured concrete into or if it is laid up like stuco. Even have knots or short branch stubs to make it look real.

CarolT · #13 07/30/12, 09:27 AM

Without more info, it's hard to know. If you can go back and look again, it might be easier. Are there joints? Do they run between the logs or every 4 to 8 feet down the walls? Are there no seams at all? If you can look inside, is it a floor you can tell is on plywood or on a concrete slab?

It's not hard to seal blocks or concrete to keep moisture out. We have block walls and no problems with moisture. If we were building again, I'd go with blocks again

TxHorseMom · #14 07/30/12, 12:20 PM

Why don't you ask the homeowners? Or maybe your real estate broker?

mountainwmn · #15 07/30/12, 06:48 PM

Its actually a foreclosure, there isn't anyone to ask. So no one has much idea. There looks to be faint joints in a few spots that might be large stacking pieces, with staggered edges.

OK Yankee · #16 07/30/12, 10:56 PM

In my part of Michigan they go by the name of Permalog. Company in Mio does it.

rockhound · #17 07/31/12, 05:02 AM

Check to make sure it's not asbestos before you buy.

mountainwmn · #18 07/31/12, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OK Yankee

In my part of Michigan they go by the name of Permalog. Company in Mio does it.

Awesome. Based on their pictures I am guessing this is exactly what it is. Thank You!!!!!