WHICH LOG HOME PACKAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

A log home package includes the supplies and options to build a log home. But log home packages are not all the same. Therefore, it’s important you compare apples to apples.

Consider these points to ponder when researching the right log home package for you.

Log Home Package Questions

• Are the logs in the package pre-cut and pre-drilled, or just random length logs? Pre-cut log walls will save time during construction. However, if a company offers pre-cut, ask what that means. Corners only? Window/door openings ready for external trim? Electrical chase and boxes?
• What size are the logs?
• What species are the logs?
• Is there a warranty for the logs themselves? For example, most companies will warranty their logs, and then the window and/or door manufacturer’s warranty covers the windows and doors.
• Are the windows and external doors (French, sliders or entry door) included? If so, are they wood/clad, vinyl or fiberglass for the entry door?
• What type of roof is included?
• Does the package include soffit & fascia material/exterior trim for around the windows and doors?
• Are the porches and decks on the rendering floor plans included or an option.
• Ask if the 2nd floor system is included or an option.
• Do they include all of the necessary fasteners, etc., to construct the package? For example, typically nails for nail guns are not included.
• Is the material for all of the interior framed walls included?
• Does the package include site-specific engineered plans or are they just engineered for the county of build? If not, you may need to go to a local engineer to get them drawn/approved for your building lot, which would naturally incur additional costs for you.
• Do the plans include the foundation and sub-floor drafting and engineering (even if the company does not provide the material for this element of the build)?
• What interior trim is included? Also, what about 1 x 6″ tongue and groove material for a cathedral ceiling?

For more information about our home package call us on 208-689-3395 or email info@duncanwoodslogtimberhomes.com

Make sure you are not comparing Apples to Oranges

With all the hot weather in the county over the past few years I thought this would be a good topic to cover. These tips are specific to all of us no matter what kind of home we live in.

• Consider the type of roof material you use.
• Skylights in the roof will help the fire escape if it starts in the house.
• Frost free water spigots around the home so that you have a good water supply should you need it.
• Keep vegetation at least 100 yards from the house to create a fire break
• Trim tree and remove dead ones, this is good forest management. Check with your local fire department to see if they offer a management program.
• If you store logs for your fireplace keep the wood at a good distance from the house, for example do not stack on the side of the house or under the deck.
• Make sure everyone knows the way out should a fire occur indoors and have a meeting place determined so that you can do a ‘head count’ to make sure everyone is out safely.
• If you have a second floor have a fire ladder handy by an exit window should you need to leave that way. These are readily available at most local stores and come boxed.
• Have an emergency kit ready to go with all the essentials in case you are displaced for any length of time.
  • Change of clothing/Toiletries/Towels/Medication/First aid kit/flashlight and a spare pair of shoes!
• If you have pets, leave their crates handy so that you can safely cage them if you have a little notice of evacuation.
• Have a box ready to take important paperwork and precious photographs.
• Lastly, make sure you change the batteries in your fire alarms regularly, A good time to do this is in the Fall when you change to daylight savings.

You may say that this is all common sense but it never hurts to be reminded sometimes.

The Hybrid home is becoming more and more popular, and Duncanwoods has just delivered its first conventional stick frame home with board and batten siding and a lot of beautiful timbers both inside and out. The Hammer truss with black powder coated brackets in the great room add both dimension and character. This home is still under construction and we will post more pictures as it progresses.

Who does not have a budget in mind when it comes to building their dream home?

Here are 10 handy tips to help you stay within that budget!

1. Building up instead of out reduces cost of concrete on a large foundation.
2. Keep roof lines simple – fancy roofs cost money.
3. Keep corners to minimum – corners are costly to construct.
4. Add a ‘Shed Dormer’ in the loft to gain more headroom thereby creating more useable square footage.
5. Consider a log burning stove instead of a fireplace, the stove is more energy efficient.
6. Consider the positioning of your home to take advantage of the sun in winter when the sun is lower in the sky.
7. Use laminate counter top instead of granite, carpet instead of wood floors. Stainless steel appliances will add a big cost to your budget. These are things that can always be upgraded at a later date.
8. Milled double tongue and groove logs are more budget friendly than Handcrafted, Timber Frame or Swedish Cope.
9. Double hung windows are more cost effective than Casement (wind out) windows
10. Your Sweat Equity is where you can really save $$- anything you can do be it laying tiles, painting staining the logs etc. will reduce your overall costs.

Finally and most importantly, if you are financing your project make sure you are pre-approved by your financial institution for the budget you have in mind.

This small cabin base based on the Bears Den. At 756 Square feet this two story log cabin offers good separation of space with a large loft bedroom made possible by an optional shed dormer on the back of the house which includes a half bath. This could of course be reversed with the full bath in the loft and the half bath on the main floor.

With Fall upon us and winter  fast approaching, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your log or timber home project. The design service offered by Footprint Log Homes will take you through the process of designing your home so that you will be ready to start construction in the spring or summer of next year.

There are many different ways to communicate your ideas, wishes and dreams of the perfect home be it Log, Timber Frame, Swedish Cope or Hybrid ( a mixture of different materials) You may have a sketch showing the rough layout of rooms with dimensions and the square footage of the home, You may even just have a concept drawn on a napkin or as one of our clients had, a scrap book filled with ideas she had when she was a child. You may choose to pick a plan from our web site or a concept you may have seen somewhere and together we will customize it to your liking.

Contact us for more details.

Touring a model home is a great opportunity to see what a log home looks and feels like. You may be eager to visualize your ideas in your home. A log home show is also a great venue to see many different kinds of log homes all under one roof.

1. How do heating and cooling bills compare to a regular stick built home? Log homes are naturally energy efficient, but an experienced company will be able to tell you how their logs and ceiling design will affect the temperature regulation of your log home.
   
2. What is the shrinkage allowance on your companies log home? Logs shrink as they age and lose moisture. Different companies may suggest that their logs shrink less than others because of various processes they put them through. The most important thing is that the company has put some thought into allowing your home to settle in ways that will not cause major structural damage or break a window or door.
3. How does a log home compare in the market place for re-sale? A manufacturer may have a lot to say about this but remember that it’s all about your location! If you live in an area without many log or timber homes it will be difficult to compare sales and it may suggest that your pool of potential buyers is smaller. Many of the same re-sale issues that apply to stick homes apply also to log or timber homes; unusual designs may hurt you but excellent and consistent maintenance will always give your home a boost when and if it is time to sell.
4. What is the maintenance required for a log home? The sales person will give you a sense of the seasonal tasks to perform to make sure you home is standing up to the elements and will continue to do so.
5. How often will I have to re-stain the outside? There is a difference between a full re-satin and a touch-up. Most likely you’ll only need to fully re-satin the logs after several years but more important than counting the years is knowing what logs look like when they need to be re-stained or when a simple touch-up will do.
6. Do I need to stain or treat the inside of the logs? Most of the important treatment to your logs will be done on the outside but it is personal preference regarding the inside unless there is water or other damage done during construction.. Remember, if you do stain the inside make sure the stain is designed for INTERIOR use.
   
7. Will I need to chink my home? This depends on the style log you choose. Typically a Swedish Cope or Hand Crafted log home will need to be chinked but other versions of the milled double tongue and groove logs do not. However, some home owners choose to chink their homes for the aesthetic look, even if it is not necessary.
   
8. What should I do about the ‘Checks’ (cracks) in the logs? Checks allow water to settle inside the wood, eventually causing the wood to rot. If the check is on the upper side of the log this should be filed with caulking to make them watertight again. The ones on the underside of the log are not as important as the water should run over, however, you may choose to do those also.
   
   Now is the time to think about the long term big picture; this is most likely the biggest investment you will make.

Are you wasting water waiting for the water to get hot before you can take a shower In the morning? On Demand water heaters also know as tank less water heaters are gaining popularity with new home owners.

Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the earth. Geo thermal can be expensive to install but will give you a good return on your investment in your energy bills in the years to come.