Antler chandeliers commonly have a collection of antlers, real or imitation, and then candelabras mounted in the the light composition. Some have shades that look like leather. Others have a down light incorporated into them. These light fixtures themselves, can be very heavy. Authentic antlers are probably weight the most, but each fixture should be checked before it is hung. 

Elk Antler Chandelier and other big boys

Elk, moose, and caribou are the largest animals that the antler chandeliers are commonly made from. The caribou are the most rare, but in some settings, such as in Alaska and Canada where they are native, a chandelier made from the caribou antlers may be more common. An elk antler chandelier looks great in a lodge or a great room. With sweeping curves of the tines, the larger the rack, the more massive the light can be. It doesn’t take a hole lot of elk antlers to make a very lovly and impressive light. Moose are also used. With the wider paddles they can give a slightly different look to a room. 

When choosing an antler chandelier for a room, ceiling height must be considered. A smaller deer antler chandelier can be mounted in rooms with less overhead clearance. When a room has a cathedral ceiling of 20 feet to the peak, a home owner can choose just about any size chandelier. Mule deer chandeliers also provide another option. Smaller than the elk and larger than the white tail deer antlers, the mule deer antlers are a unique touch. 

Faux Antler Chandelier

The other option is the imitation or faux antler chandelier. Not usually as heavy in weight or high in cost, there are some very classy looking faux chandeliers on the market. Compared side by side, sometimes the imitation antler is hard to distinguish from the original. Much less when the light is suspended in the air, the differences are even harder to see. Even though all of the real antler chandeleiers are made from “shed”, or antlers that naturally fall from the animal during the winter, after mating season, some people perfer to leave the authentic ones outside and use man-made antlers for any lighting, furniture, or decorating needs. 

Antler Chandeler by optimieron at flickr

One aspect to consider with chandeilers is that even if the light itself has as many as 15 lights, it still should not be used as the only light source. This is where recessed, can lights, or track lighting comes into play. The job of the antler chandelier is to enhance the atmosphere of the room. The secondary role is to provide some lighting. When a chandelier is called upon to light an entire area, the bulbs may be so bright that the grace of the chandelier is lost to the viewer. It is better to turn down the light from the chandelier and balance it with the track lighting. Track lighting allows for each separate light to be directed where ever desired. This allows more light to be shined in a room and it also allows the antler giant to attract attention and become the focal point. 

Antler Chandeliers for Custom Homes

Whatever your room choice, think in advance about spending the extra funds nesessary to incorporate not just the antler chandelier, but other track or recessed lighting as well. Adding a touch of antlers gives a room a definate wilderness feel in a very subtle way. Though of course antlers can be found for just about everything, keeping it to a minimum and using it for one major design element of the room, such as the lighting, keeps the room from being over stated in one area. The addition of leather furniture, a wooden sled in the corner, and simple wide plank book shelves inhances the rustic feel without overusing the antlers in the entire room.

Chandelier lighting is an elegant way to enhance a custom home room’s decor. From black chandeliers to mini, candle to wrought iron chandeliers, there are is one hanging piece of artwork that is right for every room. If choosing a heavier fixture, such as an antler or wrought iron one, be sure to check the weight requirements before it is hung. Sometimes extra framing or brackets are required to accommodate the weight. 

 

Wrought iron chandeliers are a the heavier fixtures. The metal working in them can even be fashioned to mimic hammer marks from an old time smithy. Due to the weight of these chandeliers, it is important that inexpensive, poorly made ones are not chosen. Cheap plastic and vinyl substitutes for material cannot be included in an iron chandelier, so some companies have found other ways to make the products inexpensive. Sometimes the light itself is poorly welded together or the full measurements as listed on the box are not met. Just carefully inspect and chandelier light that you purchase for quality issues. 

Crystal chandeliers were the first on the lighting scene. Make with places for candles years ago, the lighting enriched castles in the beginning. Today crystal chandeliers can be purchased for dining rooms and great rooms. The crystal hanging down helps to reflect even more of the light and make it spread across the room. 

Black chandeliers are made of black metal. The arms stretch out to offer the viewer either shades or delicate candelabras. With a more formal feel, these lights match anything and dress up everything. When purchasing one, consider is the paint job on the light fixture. Running a careful finger over the surfaces can help to detect if there is a problem. 

Chandelier lighting is a way to light up your life and bring more elegance, character, and distinction to all the various rooms of the home. Lighting is an integral part of every custom home. From bathroom lights to outdoor chandeliers, each plays a role in illumination and decoration of the place we simply call HOME…

Side Hinged Garage Doors

Once you have your custom home or purchase a new home, over time a garage door will require some attention. Garage door repair is simply something that is a innate part of owning a home. No matter what style or type of home you have, there are four primary kinds of doors. 

1) Side hinged doors 

2) Retractable doors 

3) Canopy doors 

4) Sectional doors 

The primary type of doors installed in homes today are the sectional doors. Let’s consider each type of door before the maintenance each may require. 

Side hinged doors are some of the most traditional. There are two doors that meet in the middle. The hinges are mounted on the side. If you can imagine an old carriage house, you may have a good idea of what they could look like. Today we have seen some return of this style door in high end homes or for homeowners who are trying to match a theme with the exterior design of their home. Unfortunately, this style of door does not operate with a garage door opener, so the home owner is stuck opening and closing it on their own each time. 

The most common type of repair needed for the side hinged door is when the door drags on the ground. Over time the hinges become weakened from use. Sometimes new hinges are needed. Also the bottom of the door may need to be slightly trimmed. 

Retractable doors are one solid piece. Usually made from wood, this type of  door is track mounted. It is lifted by a counter weight system and the entire door is retracted into the ceiling of the garage. This type of door stores completely out of the way. When choosing a retractable door, the ceiling height of a garage must me high enough. 

Over time the door may sag on one side or not close all the way. The track also may become dirty or the rollers can pick up foreign objects. Sting is the worst culprit as it becomes tangled in the door rollers. If the door sags, the springs may need to be replaced or the weights may need rebalanced. When not closing all of the way, the door may require adjustment on one of the weights. 

Canopy doors are very similar to the retractable doors, except they are not concealed totally along the ceiling of the garage. Part of the door will remain outside. This is an older style of door and I have only seen it on a few garages of older homes. Counter weights lift the door. Being one solid piece, the door lifts as a single unit. 

Sectional Garage Doors

The sectional door is the most common. Traveling on a track, the door rolls up and rolls back down again. Sectional doors are most commonly made from aluminum, vinyl, wood, or another type of metal. At times vinyl is preferred over wood because it does not require frequent painting, it weighs less, and the vinyl never warps. Aluminum is a nice choice, but it does dent easily. Other metal doors can be heavy and do rust over time. Spending a little bit more and purchasing an insulated door is a great way to conserve heat in a garage. 

Sectional doors are easier to repair when the it is hit by a car. My elderly neighbor backed into his garage door twice in a year’s time. When a door panel is damaged, the effected sections can be removed and replaced. This way the whole door does not have to be rebuilt. 

The most common garage door repairs related to use, are the track and the door opener itself. If a door is not traveling up and down smoothly or is unable to pass a certain point in the track, inspect the track for dents or dings. A dented track will keep the roller from passing by it. A block of wood and a hammer can fix the problem. Place the block of wood where the dent is and then hit it with the hammer. The block of wood spreads out the force of the blow so that a dent the size of the head of the hammer is not left in the track. Also the block of wood can be positioned so that it reaches were a hammer head could not.  But be careful, as garage door parts are delicate and too hard of a blow may result in an even bigger problem. 

When paying attention to the track the rollers should also be inspected. Mud, rust, and even gum left from lubricate mixed with dust can cause the rollers to stop turning. In the case of mud and oil residue, ordinary house hold cleaners can be sprayed on the track and then wiped clean. Also inspect the rollers for things such as sting or other things than can become entangled around the wheel. A razor knife can be very helpful in cutting it away. 

As with any moving parts, the door tracking, rollers, lock bar, and even the hinges joining one panel to the next should be regularly oiled. The lubrication may build up over time and need removed, but the it should also be reoiled to preserve the life of the roller. 

If one side of a door opens faster than the other, or the door does not close the entire way, the problem may lie in the garage door springs. High tension and torsion springs are best maintained by a professional. Releasing even an older spring can have enough strength left in it to knock a person over. The safest avenue is to call a professional. The torsion springs are the most dangerous. 

Garage door openers are another area of concern. Before trying to inspect one, be sure the electric is unplugged. A shock is all one needs to change a day from good to bad. Commonly the belts to open and close the door are the thing needing attention. Also check for something, even a balloon string, becoming entangled in the mechanism. If further repair is needed be sure to record the brand of door opener. This is important to provide to the repair shop or if ordering parts for it on line. Also be sure to notice the series of garage door opener and the horse power. Providing the supplier with more information about the garage door opener parts will help to get the right one the first time. 

When all else fails and you decide to call the garage door repair man, ask around for a referral. Neighbors, people at church, or other parents at the school bus stop might just have had the same problem recently. Other ways are to check local phone book listings or to contact the company you purchased the door from in the first place. 

And when all else fails, sometimes we are all just ready to sit out on the best patio furniture you can find! 

Garage Door Repair needed from Kermyta flickr

This site is dedicated to custom homes of all types. In this particular article I would like to explore log homes suppliers with you.

From reading my site, you may have realized that we are log home builders in Montana. As general contractors since 1997 we have built homes from a variety of log companies. As builders, we have the unique opportunity to evaluate firsthand different companies, products, and services. 

Additionally, only in the last 6 months we were offered log home dealership opportunities with 31 log home companies. Our previous log home company was not able to weather the current downturn in the economy. After 30 years in operation they closed.

We wanted to remain as a log home dealer, but we had to select another company. And so our research gained a new level.

Many companies do offer really nice log homes, but there are also issues of service, pricing, exact package inclusions, and pre cutting of logs.

RANDOM LENGTH LOGS:

One option out there is random length logs. The logs come milled and in a variety of lengths. All the cutting is done on site. Some money is saved with random length logs, but it can be overwhelming, standing next to a semi load of logs. The homeowners begin to wonder some days, if they will be able to turn this load of logs into their dream home.  If you have the time, patience,  and the persistence to see it through you may do well with a random length log, but it does definitely lengthen the construction time. 

A fully pre-cut pre-numbered home 30′x50′ ranch, we have put up the dry-in package in 2 to 3 weeks with an experienced four man crew. But one the same size from a random length log supplier has taken the same crew  an additional 2 1/2 to 3 months to get the home to the same degree of completion with a four man crew.

Cutting butt joints where one log ends and the next begins, is difficult. Often those joints do not cut as straight and accurately as they should. Cutting a round log can be “lots of fun”, especially when it is difficult to find a saw with a big enough blade to cut it all the way through in one cut and the round log rolls. A D-log is easier to cut than a full round log, because it has one flat side. There are chain saw jigs to help with the cuts, but cuts done on site are never as accurate as ones done by the mill. Also the cuts themselves are much rougher.

When including a timber roof system on your home special equipment, such as a crane or lift truck, is required. The log has to be notched, then set with the equipment. Then it has to be taken down and notched again until it fits correctly. Nearly every timber is handled three or four times to get it cut as precisely as needed.

Especially when a roof system includes dormers, the extra equipment time (crane or lift truck) coupled with the extra required labor, makes it more expensive to buy a random length log verses a fully pre-cut timber roof system. Many times homeowners do work themselves, but when equipment costs are factored in, the homeowner could have just purchased a fully pre-cut roof system. Also the homeowner eliminates some of the danger associated with lifting each timber 3 or 4 times, instead of just once.  

PARTIALLY PRE CUT PACKAGE

A partially pre-cut package is usually only pre-cut corners. This can save some time, perhaps a few days, over using a random length log, but is still requires a lot of cutting on site.  Some contractors and home owners prefer the partially pre-cut instead of the fully pre-cut. Why? Because they can easily move a door or a window opening after the logs arrive. With a fully pre-cut this is not an option after the home is milled. But on the other hand, you are relying on chain saws to cut in the butt joints where the logs meet and additionally for the window and door holes. This can cause gaping and make it more difficult to seal around the window and door holes. 

FULLY PRECUT PACKAGE

These home packages are fully pre-cut and pre-numbered. They come with a log schedule detailing where each and every piece goes. If a timber roof system is included in the home, the timber roof system is also pre-cut and pre-numbered, ready for assembly. For the butt joints, some companies utilize a straight cut and push the logs together. A better system involves a spleen of either vinyl or wood to make a better seal where the logs join.

The very best butt joint is ‘finger joinery’. Here is a photo of this joinery. These fingers weave together when you push the butt joint together. Very few mills have the capability to produce

Finger Joinery

a finger joint, the very best in the industry.   

Also when using a spleen system, it is not uncommon for the crew to forget to install a spleen after a row of logs is laid. This never happens with the finger joinery.

ONE MORE FULLY PRECUT OPTION

There is one more option that goes beyond a fully precut prenumbered home.

Through our research for a new log home supplier we discovered there is a company out there that not only offers finger joinery, fully precut prenumbered homes, but also has a computerized mill that precuts your electric box holes and wire holes. 

Installing electric boxes is really difficult in a log home if they are not precut. You have to chisel, and drill out, and chisel, and pull wires through between the door and the door hole,  behind the trim. It is a real project to add electric to a log home and it gets costly. Electricians can’t believe their eyes when they see the holes for their

Pre drilled electric holes, finger joinery

 work already cut in. Also it gives a much nicer finish around the hole. It is all smooth, not chopped and rough-edged. When cut on site sometimes a bigger cover plate can be required to cover up the scars on the logs left from the drilling.

This log home company also offers an optional through bolt from the top of your 8 foot log wall to the bottom.  This is designed to have a nut put on the top of the screw and the wall cranked down tight to sandwich the logs together. This is not always necessary but is actually required in some states.

Another good option is a 10″ lag bolt. You would need to consult a local log home builder to see what is required in your state. Montana does not require the through bolt so we only do it if the customer desires it. More standardly we use the 10″ lags.

SO WHO IS THIS WONDER COMPANY??

LAKE COUNTRY LOG HOMES FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA

Our searches ended here.  We are CONVINCED that Lake Country Log offers the very best milled log and handcrafted log home in the business. And surprisingly enough THEY ARE NOT HIGH PRICED!

As representatives for them, we are happy to price any floor plan. The process is this. You contact us. Then we listen to your ideas and expectations for your home. We custom design a floor plan, or modify an existing one. Then we submit it to the mill for a quote. And usually within a week, we contact you with a Quotation Sheet based exactly on your floor plan and on the material and home features you want included in the package. Our homes are weather tight packages, so they come with all the exterior doors and windows, and much much more. Watch for another post coming soon for more details on package inclusions with Lake Country Log Homes and Cowboy Log Builders LLC

Feel free to visit Lake Country’s website at www.lakecountrylog.com or our site at www.cowboylogbuilders.com We are happy to work with customers in the USA and internationally as well.

Building Log Dreams,

Mike and Sue Lemmon

For some more log home ideas take a look at http://hubpages.com/hub/Log-Cabin-Construction

Every custom home begins with ideas and dreams. Many future homeowners have home clippings,  floor plans and home photos that they have saved.

FLOOR PLAN BOOKS

For starters it is a great idea to buy a nice big floor plan book. One that we have found very helpful is “The House Plan Bible“. You can go to Amazon.com and purchase it. Just today I saw some used one of The House Plan Bible adverized for under. Even new we paid under $20 for our copy. With over 550 pages of quality floor plans, photos, and helpful text everyone starting the home journey should invest in one.

Look around on Amazon for other floor plan books. There are several that looked high quality.

MAGAZINES

Magazines are also great sources. For anywhere from a minimal $10 to just under $20 one can obtain the current building ideas and trends as well new floor plans. Amazon carries everything from Better Homes and Gardens, to Metropolitan Home, to Home & Design Magazine.

It is also a good idea to subscribe to home building magazines. For log homes and log cabins popular ones include Log Home Living, Log Home Illustrated, and Country’s Best Log Homes. Personally I like Log Home Living the best, as it has better layouts detailing floor plans and coinciding photos of the homes.

HOME SHOWS

The other wonderful source of home ideas is the Home Shows.  Many many towns host home shows once or twice a year. Some major advantages to these shows is meeting contractors, cabinet suppliers, landscape companies, etc.  face to face and to see samples of their products.

To find home shows try calling the local chamber of commerce for the town nearest you. As representatives for Lake Country Log Homes, we attend some 10 home shows a year ranging from tiny expos at our local fairgrounds to 3+ day shows with some 20,000

Home Show

people in attendance. If you are ever in Montana and even some times as far away from us as Colorado and Salt Lake City Utah, we have been known to frequent these shows. For a current list of our shows simply go to www.cowboylogbuilders.com and look at our Events page.

One can never do too much planning. The very most satisfied customers we have are ones who plan for even a few years for their home. Using the resources above also can help you along the way.

 Happy Custom Home Journey

Sue Lemmon

Cape Cod Custom Home

Hello! And WELCOME to About Custom Homes! When considering building a custom home the very best thing you can do is research, research, research, before you ever start. From start to finish, there are a multitude of options and ideas to explore.  

But, with some pointers, we can help guide you to important decisions and eliminate some of the “extra” that is not necessary. From building lot selection to home furnishings, custom home builders to custom home plans, this site will help equip you with some very important and realistic advice to help you along the way.