Log Home Design

NorthStar Engineering specializes in providing engineering design, structural calculations and energy calculations for log homes. We are a member of the International Log Builders' Association (ILBA) and have an interest in seeing log homes develop into an acceptable alternative to conventionally-constructed homes.

Currently, neither the Uniform Building Code (UBC) nor the International Building Code (IBC), both of which are published by the International Code Council , specifically address structures constructed with logs. Hope is on the horizon, though, in that a standard is being developed for the next edition of the IBC. This will effectively legitimize log construction and assist in getting your log structure through the building department in a more timely fashion. The ILBA has produced a document that the code standard will be based on. It is entitled the 2000 Log Building Standards and is available as a free download on their website.

At this time, there are also no engineering manuals or courses available for engineers formalizing the proper methods for analyzing log structures. Design of log homes varies widely from manufacturer to manufacturer and engineer to engineer. This creates a confusing and fragmented atmosphere for both the engineer and the client.

Click image to see sample (1.11 MB)

(Requires Autodesk DWF Viewer)

NorthStar Engineering recommends that anyone interested in building a log structure purchase a good reference on log construction such as the Log Construction Manual . It, along with many other references, is available for purchase at the Log Home Book Store .