Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Stone
Stone may be free from a farmer who wants it out of
his pasture, or $75 a ton from that same farmer, or
more through a stone quarry. It can cost that much
even if it's free to begin with. You've got to consider
equipment rented, borrowed, fueled, and with break-
downs, other mishaps, and time figured in. Of course
try to use any stone you find on your land. Stone recy-
cles well, from old chimneys, basements, foundations,
and walls.
Greenstone and granite are heavy and not easy to
shape when necessary. Porous, crumbly sandstone is
weak. The best dense sandstone is somewhat heavy,
but good to work with — more so if you have ledges
that break off in even, stratified pieces. I like that off
the top of the ground, with lichen and a patina of age
on it. Limestone is often available, but has a commer-
cial building look to it. It works well, though. That's a
matter of taste.
To build the chimney on our house in Missouri, we gathered stone
from our property.
Acquiring Materials
Checklist
Obtaining Other Materials
Recycle any materials in good
enough condition for reuse.
Whatever you buy — be it stone, logs, or lumber — ask
around for competitive prices, remembering that
hauling from a distance eats up savings. Inspect logs,
lumber, and all other materials. Folks have a way of
loading you up with castoff stuff when they think they
can get away with it.
Windows, nails, cement — all that material is about
the same for a log house as for any other, and we talk
about most of it in the following chapters. It's easier
to find a large building supply house that can provide
you with everything from sand for mortar to felt for
window stripping, so you don't race around all over
searching for such goodies.
No matter how meticulously you plan, you'll never
remember or budget for everything. And in the year
or so you've given yourself, many of your first ideas will
alter as you come to realize the size of the project. You
can count on extras everywhere; if you save a bit here,
something you hadn't counted on will take it, and
more, there. But in the end, you'll have the house you
really want.
Look for logs in good condition;
don't build unnecessary problems
into the process.
Check salvage yards for beams,
boards, doors, ironwork, etc.
Check wood for moisture content
to prevent excessive shrinkage.
Cut your own logs only if you're
fully prepared for the danger and
hard work.
Have your logs hauled and
unloaded by a contractor with
the right equipment.
Use new materials where they
won't be obvious.
Inspect all materials before
purchasing or hauling away.
