Category
Planning

Conserving Water & Selecting HVAC Systems

Did you know that the heating and hot water system you choose for your log home will contribute to over 50 percent of your yearly energy bill? That fact alone—not to mention any cooling costs—should make log home owners take a step back and put some careful considerations into the water and HVAC systems that will go into their new abodes.  Fred Ruckel of New York isn’t taking any chances with his new log home. Ruckel, a marketing and advertising professional who also runs the website www.greenlogho…

Looking to Build the Log Home of Your Dreams?

When Wes and Chris Spiker decided to build a log home on their property in Missoula, Montana, they knew they wanted a company that would respect their needs and not just offer limited options. “We were looking for architects that would work as a team with us and listen to us about what we wanted,” says Chris Spiker. The couple ended up choosing Rocky Mountain Log Homes not only because they were willing to work with the Spikers on their own home design, but because they were known as a reliabl…

Hire the Perfect Builder

Somewhere in our youth, nearly all of us have pretended to be a detective. Looking for clues, asking questions, taking notes, searching for answers… back then it was just child’s play, but who knew you were arming yourself with skills that would come in handy as a homebuyer. Now that you’re ready to make one of the largest investments of your entire life—your log cabin dream home—it’s time to channel that inner Sherlock Holmes of your childhood and really put it to work. So don that inspector’s cap and …

Putting It All Together

There are some do-it-yourselfers out there who take on the task of building their own log home. But the average log home buyer needs to find a builder or general contractor to build it. This person takes all of the package components that you purchase and crafts them into your home. It is a very detailed and meticulous job that requires a true professional with excellent building experience and communication skills. Yet finding this person takes as much research as it did to select the right log home co…

Small Log Homes = Storybook Charm

Just like the three bears in the classic children’s story, we all want a home that is not too big, not too small, but just right. Small log and timber homes have a storybook charm all their own. Cozy and warm, they are a great solution for homeowners who have a smaller building site, a limited budget, or just want to minimize maintenance. With a well thought out design you can save space and make the most of your home’s footprint without sacrificing comfort and amenities. Trend: Downsize or Resize With …

Plug Your Log Home into the Sun

If you are planning to build a new log home, now is a great time to think about energy efficiency and your carbon footprint. Log homes are already energy efficient because of the thermal mass of the logs—they require less energy to heat and cool. But there is a lot more you can do to hold your energy costs down and make your home both comfortable and healthy to live in. In this issue, we’re looking at solar energy, particularly the use of photovoltaic panels. Why Go Solar? Energy from the sun is renewab…

Tips for Finding a Great Log Home Builder

There are so many decisions involved in building a home. But when you’re building a log home, a few special considerations come into play, too. Of all the aspects you have to consider, hiring the right builder is probably THE most important decision you will make. Keep the following five points in mind as you start shopping for a builder who will transform your log package into a perfect log home. Fact or Fiction? Price should not be the deciding factor in your builder selection . Fact. Although se…

Building “Green” Log Cabin Homes

When Barry Ivey and Lany Sherman sit down to design a log home these days, some of  their customers’ first concerns fall under the “environmentally conscious” category. Looking to incorporate green elements into their homes, both new owners and those looking to retrofit existing structures are concerned about site sustainability, environmentally friendly materials and construction methods, and water and energy efficiency.  “We’re seeing a strong desire for environmentally …

Out of This World

If you want to bring an essence of Europe to your log or timber frame home, inspired by your heritage, travels, or just wishful thinking, Old World style may work perfectly for you. Old World style is influenced by many different places, from England to France to Italy and the Mediterranean. Your Old World style can take its inspiration from the sunny climates of Tuscany or the coast of Spain, or can take a more northern approach influenced by a French farmhouse or chateau, even a Bavarian hunting lodge…

Exploring Alternative Energy Sources

Going green is easy these days, especially when you are  building a new home. With the cost of fossil fuels increasing annually and the damage they cause the environment more evident every day, it’s a good time to reduce your carbon footprint, save some money on utilities, and make your living environment comfortable and healthy. Adding an alternative energy system to a log home is no more difficult than installing a standard HVAC system, but it does require a different set of skills and equipment….

5 Steps to a Solar Passive Home

Collect  heat from the sun through windows. Ideally, windows should face within 30 degrees of due south. Absorb that heat with a storage element such as a masonry wall, a stone floor, or a water container that sits in the direct path of the sunlight. Store  the heat you’ve soaked up within that wall, floor, or container. The right materials will do that naturally. Distribute heat from the storage element to different areas of the house via conduction (the way heat moves through …

Comparing Package Quotes

Building that perfect log or timber home is a process that many people pursue only once or twice in a lifetime, so the benefit of personal experience is often rare. Considering the first major step, which is the comparison of quotes from qualified log and timber companies, advice from experienced professionals is pure gold. “The most important thing going in is to determine what you want and need,” assesses Mathew Sterchi, vice president of sales…