Building a log cabin regulations code#

A log wall has the ability to store a tremendous amount of heat which has great benefit in a temperate climate like Ottawa’s. To better explain, the initial R-21 value above does not fully take into account the thermal mass benefits of a log wall. (See Thermal Properties of Log Homes in Log Home News, August 2002.) The R-value of white pine is R 1.3 per inch x 16″ diameter = R-21 x 25% (thermal mass) = R-26. Our white pine logs (16″ diameter) are the equivalent R-26.

Building a log cabin regulations code#

Ontario Building Code (2017) says that any walls in new home builds must have at least an R-22 value. In log homes (and other heavy structures) there is also the heat mass that influences the heat-holding ability of the structure, thus influencing heating bills. By Dalibor Houdek, Ph.D., Thermal Properties of Log Homes in Log Home News, August 2002 The energy efficiency of a home is determined by so-called R-values (resistance to thermal flow) of building segments such as walls, floors, roof, windows, etc., and by the air tightness of the building envelope. You’ll likely know that the higher the R-value, the greater the insulative value of your home. How Does a Log Home Stack Up Against Building Code? At Kealey Tackaberry Log Homes we love building with larger logs, and the fact that larger logs are more energy efficient is fantastic news. If a home is built with large white pine, there is in fact more insulation than is required by changing building codes. This makes larger logs uniquely well positioned to step into the gap, allowing for smart builds that result in long term savings thanks to reduced energy bills. In recent years, many people who have elected to build log homes have tended to choose to build with small logs as a way of reducing cost, but changing building codes are demanding more efficient buildings. A handcrafted log home built with larger logs can actually prove remarkably energy efficient, better in fact than current building code dictates. There are those among us who have always appreciated the natural aesthetic of wood, but now there is a powerful reason to choose to build with logs.

Amended by P.L.8-1984, log home just looks right, as though it was meant to be in the place it occupies.Ĭanadians have a long history of appreciation for building with wood there was a time when log cabins and log homes were all that many of our ancestors knew. (d) An ordinance adopted under this section does not apply to private homes that are built by individuals and used for their own occupancy.Īs added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.27.

(c) The rules of the fire prevention and building safety commission are the minimum standards upon which ordinances adopted under this section must be based. (3) the movement or demolition of buildings, structures, and equipment for the operation of buildings and structures. (2) conversions of buildings and structures, or parts of them, from one occupancy classification to another and (B) if expressly provided by the ordinance, existing when the ordinance takes effect (A) erected after the ordinance takes effect and (1) the construction, alteration, equipment, use, occupancy, location, and maintenance of buildings, structures, and appurtenances that are on land or over water and are: (b) An ordinance adopted under this section must be based on occupancy, and it applies to: These standards take effect only on the legislative body’s receipt of written approval from the fire prevention and building safety commission. (a) The legislative body of a county having a county department of buildings or joint city-county building department may, by ordinance, adopt building, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and sanitation standards for unincorporated areas of the county. The legislative body of a county may, by ordinance, establish a county department of buildings, with an office of building commissioner and inspectors.Įstablishment of building, heating, ventilating, electrical, plumbing, and sanitation standards ordinances County Building Department and Building Standards In addition, counties sometimes try to fight the law even for homes on foundations: Ĭhapter 8.

Note, however, that the law most likely will not protect tiny homes on wheels, which are generally considered RVs. However, section IC 36-7-8-3 (d) specifically excludes those codes from applying to 'private homes that are built by individuals and used for their own occupancy.' This is known as the Log Cabin Rule. The State of Indiana allows counties to establish building codes.