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Using log taper to generate roof pitch?

 
Posts: 53
Location: Nova Scotia
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Hello;
I have some low grade standing balsam fir, and am thinking of building a small shelter for overnighting.
I am wondering about building log cabin walls with all the log tapers running in one direction, to generate the roof pitch.
Rough Example:
Cabin wall 300 cm;  logs taper from ~15 cm to ~10 cm over the 300 cm.
Loss of 5 cm per log.
Cabin wall at the front; 4 logs high x 15 cm = 200 cm at the front
Cabin wall at the back 14 logs x 10 cm = 140  cm at the back.
60 cm drop over 3 m run; 20% pitch.

Front and rear log walls would be conventional with taper running in alternating directions to generate a flat top.
Or, possibly, a triangular shape with the low rear coming to a point.

Crazy?  Flaws in logic?
This is not a house for the ages, just a camp on a woodlot, possibly one day a run-in shelter for livestock.
cheers Doug

 
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Location: southern Illinois, USA
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Hi Douglas,

I don’t see a problem.   I have seen many pictures with small shelters of a similar design.  I have encountered a few  personally.
 
pollinator
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Location: Canadian Prairies - Zone 3b
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I don't see a problem either. What were you planning for the roof? If it's a shallow pitch it'll be important for it to be well sealed.
 
Douglas Campbell
Posts: 53
Location: Nova Scotia
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Thanks.
I am pondering the roof, and will think about increasing the pitch.
I may use metal sheets, possibly with a polycarbonate panel for a sky light.
 
Douglas Alpenstock
pollinator
Posts: 5007
Location: Canadian Prairies - Zone 3b
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Metal and polycarbonate sheets will work well. On a shallow pitch, you will thank yourself for running a generous bead of silicone under all of the overlaps. That way, if it dams up for some reason the water won't push its way up and in. Around here that happens with a freeze/thaw event. Believe me it's easier to do it when the sheets are clean and dry.
 
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