Frequently Asked Questions about Log Homes (FAQ)
1. Are log homes cheaper to build compared to houses from other materials?
2. What kind of wood do you use?
3. Do you build log homes from unique plans/projects?
4. How log does it take to build a log home or a Garden House?
5. How energy efficient is a log home?
6. Is a log house completely maintenance free after completion?
7. Can I build the log house myself?
8. How much does the building of the log home cost, if the company that manufactured the house does it?
9. How much does a log house settle?
10. Do log homes place any special demands on communications (pipe lines, sewer, etc)?
11. Which type of foundation is best suited for a log house?
12. Do you also build log homes from the buyers material?
13. Do you use dry logs?
14. Is the size of the log house limited by the length of the logs used?
15. What kind of products should be used for the inner and outer finishes?
16. Does a log house need to be built during summer months?
17. Are the transportation costs included in the price of the log house?
18. Does the building site need any special preparation before the assembly of the log portion of the house?
19. Is it cheaper to order a ready-made log home kit?
Log houses are usually cheaper then similar size stone houses or wooden frame/stone lining houses.
2. What kind of wood do you use?
We use spruce.
3. Do you build log homes from unique plans/projects?
Yes. This is one of our key assets. We will always find the best solution for every client. You can send your log home plans to us and we send you the price estimate.
4. How log does it take to build a log home or a Garden House?
For our Log Homes range we would predict 3 -4 months from time of order to time of completion.
For our Garden Houses we would predict 6 -8 weeks from time of order to time of completion
5. How energy efficient is a log home?
Wood is the best insulation material nature has to offer. That does not mean that just by increasing the thickness of the walls you will have the most energy efficient house. Like with every other type of house you have to consider the insulation norms for floors, ceilings and roof, use the right kind of doors and windows, etc. When you add a knowledgeable builder to that you will have a very energy-friendly house. Check the NBS test on log home energy conserving .
6. Is a log house completely maintenance free after completion?
A log house does need some care from the new owner, i.e. adjusting metallic tie rods and metallic regulating rods. The work needed is nothing major and the company on the completion of the house provides detailed care instructions.
7. Can I build the log house myself?
Yes, you can! But be sure to consider all the positive and negative aspects before you make your decision.
8. How much does the building of the log home cost, if the company that manufactured the house does it?
The building costs are directly related to the amount of work needed and to the location of the new house. When doing primary calculations, you should consider the costs to be around 30% (+-5%) of the price of the house.
9. How much does a log house settle?
Depending on the profile of the logs used, for every meter of height the settlement is about 3-4%. The settlement is already taken into account during the design process.
10. Do log homes place any special demands on communications (pipe lines, sewer, etc)?
No, all traditional solutions work fine with log houses.
11. Which type of foundation is best suited for a log house?
The type of foundation needed has more to do with the properties of the soil and ground on the building site and the size of the house. You can use any type of foundation (pier foundation, strip foundation, base slab).
12. Do you also build log homes from the buyers material?
Yes we do.
13. Do you use dry logs?
Yes, all of our logs have been chamber dried.
14. Is the size of the log house limited by the length of the logs used?
No, the length of the logs does not dictate the size of the house and individual rooms.
15. What kind of products should be used for the inner and outer finishes?
For the outer logs we recommend a special certified wood sealant Sickens or equivalent. This protects the wood from insects, blue stains and mould. For the inside of the house we suggest you use as natural products as possible (linseed oil, beeswax, etc).
16. Does a log house need to be built during summer months?
No. The really nice thing about log houses is that they can be built anytime.
17. Are the transportation costs included in the price of the log house?
The transport will be included in the large homes as it will be delivered direct to the site, but with the smaller cabins their will be a transport cost from our base to site.
18. Does the building site need any special preparation before the assembly of the log portion of the house?
The site has to have access roads for heavy trucks.
19. Is it cheaper to order a ready-made log home kit?
There is no substantial cost cut since personalized plans do not add a significant price to the log home manufacturing process.