>>John -- The church is made of very very big pine logs, unpainted.  It is
composed of individual lower sections that carry the upper structures.  The
domes top the various sections.  The wood is in good condition.  Originally
exposed log, it had exterior cladding for a hundred years or more.  The roof
shingles (third or fourth generation) are aspen and look silver in the
sunlight.<<

Yes, we learned a lot about this project last fall at the APTI Exterior Wood
Workshop. Joe Loferski, wood scientist from Virginia, went there a few years
back to contribute to the project on wood technology/engineering issues. We
saw 30-40 slides and got the nitty gritty on 3-dimentional carved aspen
shingles for the domes, natural log shrinkage & movement and how the
internal steel structure is ripping the building apart. Computer modeling of
how the old logs and new steel interact was particularly interesting.

John Leeke, Preservation Consultant

publisher:               Practical Restoration Reports
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