FAQs

Frontiersmen felled and notched whole trees to assemble their log cabins, filling in gaps with a mixture of mud and straw or “chinking”. Today our log home kits are made of milled solid timbers that use a variety of tongue-and- groove interlocking methods to eliminate air and water infiltration. In addition, the joints are usually sealed with plastic caulking and gaskets.

Purists, who lack ample time and biceps to match, can turn to “Handcrafters,” who make 19th century log cabin kits the old-fashioned way.

There is a range of log home kits. “Complete packages” come with all logs precut and numbered and all components such as roofing materials, windows, doors, interior partitions, stairs, railings, garage doors included. On the other end of the spectrum, “linear log home kits,” include sufficient logs that need to be cut to length and notched at the job site. All other components are purchased locally. Deciding between a “complete package,” a “linear kit” or somewhere in between really depends on how much work the homeowner or builder wants to do on site.

Log homes are made of a variety of woods including, eastern white pine, northern white cedar, western red cedar, red pine, southern yellow pine, oak and cypress. Manufacturers typically use the wood species prevalent in their area. Most woods work well and benefit from periodic application of a protective exterior stain or finish. The key is the log system itself.

Log home manufacturers have developed systems to either eliminate settling or compensate for it. All the builder has to do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions. All members of the Log Homes Council are required to have a system in writing, approved by the council.

Regardless of whether the Logs are “air dried” outdoors or “kiln dried” with heat and moisture, the key is moisture content prior to manufacturing. The lower the moisture content, the less movement the log wall will have after construction. Moisture content of 20% or less is considered optimal for either air dried or kiln dried logs. At Northeastern, we can do either.

Log homes are affordable and tend to cost the same or just slightly more than a conventionally built quality custom house. Budget-minded consumers can save money by selecting an existing plan and limiting costly features, such as high-end cabinetry, designer plumbing and exotic flooring.

Financing is available either through local lenders or national companies specializing in log home mortgages. Those who own land can often use it as their down payment. Log home manufacturers and dealers can put customers in contact with lenders.

Tests conducted by The Log Homes Council of the National Association of Home Buyers (NAHB) found log homes to be equal in energy efficiency to conventional home construction. Log home owners generally report lower heating and air conditioning costs.

People who live in log homes love to talk about them so ask for references. Log home magazines are a great resource too. Check out Log Home Living, Log Cabin Homes, or Country’s Best Log Homes for ideas and plans, as well as seminar and home show announcements. Subscription information is available at www.loghomes.org.

Peace of mind. All members abide by Log Homes Council log grading standards to assure safety and quality construction. The standards are accepted nationally by both building officials and mortgage lenders to streamline planning and financing. Council members adhere to a strict code of ethics and regularly participate in educational programs on advances in log home technology.