The Log Home Industry Expert

Selecting your general contractor to build your custom log home is certainly one of the most critical decisions you make. Once you have made your selection, it is important that the terms of your agreement with the contractor are specific and spelled out well in advance.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) have jointly developed a set of contract documents that define the role and responsibility of the contractor, owner and architect. These documents have been developed over more than 100 years of experience and address most major issues that might appear during construction. Every few years, these documents are updated and revised to adapt to the latest construction trends and techniques. The AIA documents are highly respected by attorneys, contractors, architects and engineers and accepted as the industry standard.

Building a custom log home or timber frame home is typically a very large financial commitment. Owners place a great deal of trust into their architects, general contractors and other building professionals. Often times, clients who have never built a custom log home (or any type of custom home) do not understand what to expect. Using a professional licensed architect is one of the best ways to insure the project will be successful. Your architect will most likely be familiar with AIA documents. The AIA contracts spell out the normal obligations and responsibilities of each party such as duties, timelines and payment schedules.

At PrecisionCraft, premiere designer, manufacturer, and builder of log & timber homes, customers want to the opportunity to customize their homes. They are looking for a “one-of-a-kind” home that fits their personal taste, needs and their surroundings. However, there is no reason to “re-invent the wheel” when it comes to following a set of standards and expectations. The AIA contract documents, used with PrecisionCraft’s clients, have been proven year after year and follow a known path of success.

As the leader in custom design, PrecisionCraft Log Homes encourages clients to turn to the well trusted AIA documents. PrecisionCraft specializes in the design of handcrafted log homes, milled log homes, timber frame homes, log & timber hybrid homes, and stick frame homes with log & timber accents.

When it comes to protecting your log home, why not get your info from the experts? Below are some pointers from Sashco - a company specializing in high quality sealants for both conventional home construction and log home finishing and maintenance.

The design of your home and the style of logs that you select are key elements that you should consider early in the planning stage of building your home. These decisions can greatly influence the amount of time and money that you will spend on future maintenance. 

Since it is a combination of water and sun (UV rays) that does the most damage to finishing products, it is wise to incorporate long eave overhangs, and, when possible, porches into your home design.  Another design element that will extend the life of stain is a good gutter system that keeps water from sheeting down the logs and directs the water away from your home. And, don’t forget those log ends; make certain that log corners and purlins are well under the eaves.  By incorporating these design elements into your plans, you will positively influence the longevity of the stain on your home. 

Another factor to consider is the style of log that you choose.  If you prefer the look of rounded logs, be prepared for more maintenance.  The upper curvature of rounded logs takes the full force of the sun, whereas the lower curvature has less exposure to damaging UV rays; this means that to keep an equal appearance between the upper and lower curvature of the logs, a periodic coat of stain may need to be brushed onto the upper curvature of the logs.  This step may be necessary only on portions of walls that are receiving extreme and constant sun. 

But the single most critical factor in preventing premature stain maintenance is proper prep work of the logs prior to staining.  There are five words that sum up the best in proper wood surface prep:  clean, sound, warm, dry and textured.  

Clean wood is free from mill glaze, dirt, pollen, wax, mold, bird droppings, etc.  A buildup of these elements prevents stains from being able to penetrate and bond to the wood surface.  This may seem perfectly obvious, but this is the step that is given the least attention, and often a thoroughly clean surface is never achieved, with inevitably poor results. You can count on it–the cleaner the logs, the better the stain can anchor into the wood.

Sound wood is wood that hasn’t suffered surface damage from UV exposure.  Surface damage is apparent when the natural color of logs starts to turn a progressively deepening yellow color that then turns to gray.  Depending on the location of your home, this process can happen in a matter of as little as two weeks. As the UV degradation continues, the wood fibers are loosening and detaching from the bulk of the wood substrate.  If you stain over this fragile and damaged surface, the stain can lose adhesion along with the deteriorating wood fibers. Therefore, wood that has been left unprotected for any extended time should be sanded, media blasted, or aggressively power washed to remove damaged surface wood fibers prior to applying any coating.

Warm wood is ideal for stain application.  If the wood surface is too hot, the coating may start to dry before proper wetting, penetration and adhesion can occur.  If the wood surface is too cold, the contracted state of the wood cells can prevent penetration and anchoring of oil based stains; and water based stains can start to freeze before they can establish adhesion to the wood.   Remember, we are talking surface temperature of the logs, not ambient air temperature.  

Dry wood, as defined by the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, contains 20% or less moisture.   Coatings can blister and peel if applied to logs with a 20%+ moisture content.  Before applying any coating, you should rent or borrow a moisture meter to check the moisture content of your logs.  If the reading is 20% or greater, don’t stain.  It is better to wait than to have to repair blistering, peeling stain. 

Textured wood, roughening up the wood surface by either sanding, a light cob blasting, or any other, similar abrasive methods, will greatly enhance stain penetration, improve adhesion and provide more stain durability than application to a highly smooth surface; this is particularly true on the upper curvature of logs. 

The first year after the initial stain application, you want to carefully inspect the overall appearance of the stain, checking for inconsistencies in the initial application.  Check to see if there are areas that did not receive an initially adequate amount of stain, which can sometimes happen in localized areas when the stain is first applied.  If you locate such areas, simply clean the surfaces with damp rags or bristle brushes to remove dirt, pollen, etc., and then apply a light coat of stain, feathering it into adjoining areas.

Once you have inspected your home and beefed-up any areas that may have needed another light coat of stain, you should consider applying a compatible clear topcoat on the entire structure. Clear topcoats are extremely easy to apply, yet they can extend the life of the pigmented coats of stain underneath.  The clear topcoats are sacrificial coats that take the brunt of weathering, protecting, and thus, extending the life of the pigmented coats.  They are very easy to apply, and because they are clear, the color of your logs doesn’t darken as it would if you applied repeated coats of pigmented stain. Eventually, however, you will need to decide when more pigmented stain needs to be applied for the best overall appearance and protection.

While you are inspecting the stain, also look for any checks that may have opened up on the upper curvature of the logs.  Checks on the upper curvature can take on water from rain and snow, so it is important to pay close attention to these openings and prep and seal them properly. 

And, finally, make it a practice to walk around and inspect your home, every fall and spring.  Look for the obvious:  bushes that have overgrown and are scraping the home, trees that have matured and the canopy is now dripping water down the logs, gutters that need repair, sprinklers that need adjusting and are spraying water on the logs, “stuff” that is being stacked against the logs.  These are simple things to correct, but doing them can prolong the life of your stain, allowing you time to enjoy your home instead of working on maintaining it.

Presented by PrecisionCraft, the leader in designing, manufacturing, & constructing log homes.
 
 

Written by Tom Heatherington

There has not been a better time in years to build your log home!

If you permit the media to drive your decision making, you already know this is the worst possible time to make a lifestyle change.  The housing market is in the tank, stock charts look as if they were printed from an oscilloscope, and upcoming elections (are intended to) make us feel anxious.  If you include war news, terror reports, natural disasters and the Hollywood writer’s strike you must know this is absolutely the worst time to make serious lifestyle changes.

As the editor of the Log Cabin Directory, I have a unique perspective on the log home and timber frame business.  In my daily routine I speak with people on both sides of the log home sales process.  I answer phone calls and emails from prospective log home buyers, and I speak with builders, dealers and manufacturers on a regular basis. 

It is no secret that the home building industry in general and the real estate market in particular are experiencing a downturn, which actually has been anticipated for a number of years.  Although this slump has impacted the log and timber home segments of the market, it is not as severe as that being experienced by the conventional home building market.  When such cyclic events occur buyers will often postpone their plans, which usually prompts manufacturers and builders to focus more on improving customer service and sharpening their pencils to attract new customers.

Economic cycles are part of life and there is not much new in this current phase.  These cycles are always gut-wrenching, as we are experiencing them, but somehow we always get through them and business eventually goes back to normal.  Think back to as recently as the dot-com meltdown of 2000-2001 when the stock market was blowing-off billions of dollars in profits.  Companies were going bankrupt, banks were overextended and we watched TV like frightened deer in the headlights while the talking heads convinced us how bad things were.  Imagine what your reaction would have been back then if someone told you that you’d be smart to build a custom log home, because it would probably double in value over then next 5-10 years. 

This is why I believe that there is no better time to build a log home than now, because if you are a buyer, these current market conditions are exactly what you have been waiting for – whether you realize it or not.  With the housing industry soft overall, you can expect to receive more attention and better service from builders than at anytime in recent years.  Manufacturers have been reminded that you have a choice, and are focused on making you want to do business with them.  This is a buyers market and as history has proven over and over again, that dream home of yours will cost you more to build later than it will today. 

Any savvy investor will tell you that the time to buy is when a stock is out of favor.  The apprehension from log home buyers in today’s market creates a huge opportunity for those willing to ignore the media’s fear-mongering and proceed with their dreams.  Most people considering a log home have the funds or the credit worthiness to complete the process.  The only thing lacking is the courage to ignore the crowd’s ill-advised mindset. 

Now if you are planning to build a log home on spec and try to flip it for a quick profit, this may not be the most ideal time to play real estate roulette.  However, if building a log or timber frame home to live in and enjoy has been part of your plan, there hasn’t been a better time in years to make it happen. 

I am no Pollyanna.  On the contrary, I have three daughters so I have been hard-wired to worry about everything.  Additionally, I share the same concerns about the economy and my family’s future as you do yours, but every now and then someone has to slap me and tell me to focus on the things I can control.  If a log home is part of your dream, take a lesson from history and don’t let Drudge or the ‘alphabet news channels’ talk you out of realizing your dream. 

About the author: Tom Heatherington is the founder and editor of the “Log Cabin Directory”, one of the largest log home information sources online. He is the author of “The Complete Small Business Internet Guide” and numerous articles on log home living.

A great log home (or any custom home for that matter) starts with quality professional design.  Hiring a licensed architect is your best bet and will ensure a better design and a successful building project. 

Many people fancy themselves to be good log home designers and undoubtedly, some are.   Anyone can call themselves a “residential designer” with or without any education or experience in the field and most jurisdictions will accept plans prepared by non-certified designers.  The danger is that a non-licensed designer may have fragmented knowledge about the log home building process without fully addressing all areas of responsibility. 

Only architects licensed through examination have dedicated themselves to years of rigorous study, education and requirements. A licensed architect has a comprehensive knowledge that brings together artistic design with safety, environmental and energy concerns and sound building practices.  In addition, licensed architects are required to complete continuing education every year keeping them up to date with the latest in log home design and building practices. 

Most licensed architects are members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). 
The AIA is a professional organization that supports architects. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA-member architect’s dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.

In addition, the AIA has developed a comprehensive set of construction contract documents developed over more than 100 years of building experience.  Using AIA prepared contract documents with your general contractor and subcontractors is a path that has proven successful over many years of experience. 

Licensed architects are members of a community of professionals.  Most stand behind their work and are typically insured to protect themselves and their clients against financial loss during construction.  Many states require licensed architects to have insurance against errors and omissions.  A non-licensed designer will most likely not have this insurance protection resulting in a financial loss for clients.   

A licensed architect may charge anywhere from 5% to 10% of the cost of the home depending upon the services provided.   This might be slightly higher than a non-licensed designer but, the higher level of service and protection provided by a licensed architect is well worth the added cost. 

Learn more about custom log home design.

If you are considering building a log home, consider members of the Log Homes Council.  The Log Homes Council is part of the Building Systems Councils, a council of the National Association of Home Builders.     Members are required to participate in the Log Homes Council’s log and timber grading program.  It is important to select a log home company that grades and certifies under the grading rules established by the Log Homes Council.  This protects you as a customer and ensures that you get only graded logs and timbers when purchasing from a Council Member.  This is a critical issue, as the new International Building Code will require grading and building inspectors may reject logs and timbers which have not been graded.     

Log Homes Council members must subscribe to a rigid code of ethics developed to ensure well-constructed, code-complying structures and fair business dealings.   The Council is a clearing house for complaints dealing with questionable practices and often times mediates customer complaints and disputes.   All Council members agree to provide interested persons with truthful and accurate information and educational materials about log home building systems.   The Log Homes Council sponsors research and testing of materials to determine structural and thermal qualities.  This information has been critical to engineers and architects as they design buildings with log and timber components.   Members of the Log Homes Council are also members of the National Association of Home Builders.  

In addition to using the Better Business Bureau, using the Log Homes Council is a great way to narrow your search for a log or timber home company.  Organizations such as the Timber Framers Guild and the Timber Frame Business Council are also great resources for researching industry companies. Starting your search with the members of these organizations will ensure that you are shopping the best log home companies. 

Now that you are considering building a log home, selecting the right company will be one of the most critical decisions.  Finding the right log home company can be a daunting task.  There are many good companies and, unfortunately, some that are not so good.  Reputation, experience, architectural depth, financial strength, product selection and manufacturing capability are all factors to take into account before selecting a log home company.   

The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start.  Check to see if the log home company you are considering is a member and if there are any outstanding complaints.  Dun and Bradstreet is a financial and credit reporting service and can give good information about the financial history of a company.  It is highly recommended that you consider only companies that have financial history reported by Dun and Bradstreet.  If a company is not listed, you may want to look elsewhere.   

Consider companies that have affiliations with industry trade groups such as the National Association of Home Builders - Log Homes Council, the Timber Framers Guild or the Timber Frame Business Council.  Many trade organizations, such as the Log Homes Council, establish ethical guidelines to ensure well-constructed, code-complying structures and fair business dealings.     Once you have narrowed the field, we strongly encourage you to visit the companies. Check out their log home manufacturing facilities and talk to their staff.  You will be relying on the capabilities and expertise of the company and it is important that you trust their abilities and integrity. Learn more about PrecisionCraft’s log home design services & manufacturing.