log cottageLog cabins with full timber frame and pièce-en-pièce log infill

Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rental Cottages – Spring 2000

Early in the spring of 2000 we received a call from long time friend Robin Dawe of Salt Springs, Nova Scotia.  Robin and several family members were developing a parcel of land for tourists.  They wanted to build something different from the usual everyday construction.

So applying both timber frame and log-building skills, we came up with these 24’ x 30’ pièce-en-pièce cottages.

portable sawmillinside the shedsawhorses


Because the family was taking on such a large project, they needed to use as many of their own resources as possible.  This meant cutting their own trees on the property, as they also had a small portable sawmill.

We cleaned out a large drive shed on the existing farm and with right hand helper Chris Dailey we built a series of custom 10’ long saw horses to accommodate the log infill panels.

raising the log walls 1raising the log walls 2raising the log walls 3
Each log section was custom cut with its own door or window and electrical boxes cut out.  Holes were also drilled for electrical boxes.

The wall sections had two coats of UV stain applied before assembly.  The walls were joined to posts with a vertical spline and pegs held each log in place.

Where the front door will beceiling joistsadding the porch


After the shells were erected, we applied backer rod and modern chinking to both inside and outside walls.

dovetail joinery in the joistshardwood splines in the log wallsthe log wallscozy bedroom
The cottages have all the bells and whistles of a timber frame, including hardwood spline joinery, wedged dovetail joists, and arched headers on the hip porch plates. 

arch headers on porch corner of log cabinraftersrafters and chimney
The cottages are on a ridge and there is much wind.  However, a small wood stove in each unit keeps guests comfortable even in winter.

Read more about our timber and log infill system.