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