The Log Home Industry Expert

There is a great deal of interest in “green building”. But, what exactly is green building and how do you know if your builder is really complying with green building standards.

Green building can be defined in a number of ways. The goal of most people is to build their home with the least impact on the environment and promote indoor health and energy efficiency. This can be accomplished in many ways such as the use of natural materials that are free of toxins and low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds); using high energy efficiency products such as SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) and Low E windows; utilizing energy efficient appliances and HVAC systems and installing effacement sprinkler and water systems.

Most new construction is utilizing some form of green building. Builders and developers are recognizing that there is real value to the consumer in building green. But, how do you know if your home is really being constructed using the latest green building techniques.

The best way to insure that you are getting the real thing is to use a third party inspector or certifier under a recognized program. ENERGY STAR is a program that has been around for some time and takes into consideration the energy efficiency of the home. Another third party verified program is the LEED program. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed and is administered through the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the most comprehensive and well recognized third party verified green building program available and has been used in commercial construction for a several years. The USGBC has recently started LEED for Homes which is a pilot program established for residential structures.

The National Association for Home Builders (NAHB) has a green building program that is currently a self regulated checklist not requiring third party verification. However, the NAHB is now developing a certified program that is expected to be published later this year.

Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft are members of the USGBC and NAHB. We have been involved in the LEED for Homes pilot program, Energy Star and the NAHB green building initiatives. If you are interested in green building or getting more information on building a green log home, contact PrecisionCraft for further information.

The Houseal Non-Settling System™  is the most significant innovation in log home construction since the invention of the chain saw.  The Houseal Non-Settling (HNS) System™  prevents logs from settling and solves a host of potential problems for log home builders and homeowners. 

Settling in log homes has always been an issue, adding cost and complexity to log home construction.  Using traditional methods of construction, logs are stacked horizontally one on top of the other (either scribed or chinked).  Because logs tend to shrink and settle over time, the multiple layers of logs compound the effect of wood shrinkage.  A traditional 10’ log wall will settle upward of 6 to 8 inches depending upon the moisture content of the logs.  Special log home construction methods must be employed to counter the effects of settling.  The use of settling jacks, slip joints, and oversized trim and fascia are normal techniques used in traditional log home construction.  In addition, constant maintenance is required until the logs have fully settled. 

The Houseal Non-Settling System™  is a patented method of constructing log homes that ensures logs will not settle.  The HNS System was developed by Barry Houseal, a well known structural engineer and log home expert.  The basic premise of the HNS System is fairly simple.  Each log layer is held in place by a column of steel pipe and pins.  The steel pipe prevents the logs from moving down with gravity.  Each log layer and the roof members are supported by the steel pipe.

View the Houseal Non-Settling System™ for handcrafted log homes.

View the Houseal Non-Settling System™ for milled log homes.

Architects and designers love the HNS System because it gives much more flexibility in the use of log elements.  Builders love the HNS System because it eliminates settling jacks, trim boards and other construction techniques necessary to counter log settling.  Engineers love the HNS System because the steel adds strength to the log walls. 

PrecisionCraft has chosen to use the Houseal Non-Settling System™  in all Handcrafted Log Homes and Milled Log Homes.  We believe the HNS System is an innovation that adds significant value for our log home homeowners.  

Building and living “Green” is good for your health, conserves energy and protects the environment. Log homes are the original green building solution made directly from the earth’s natural resource. This abundant, beautiful and renewable natural resource is 100% green.

Building green is a hot topic among building professionals and consumers – for good reason. The exposure to toxic chemicals in our every day lives is resulting in significant increases in asthma and respiratory illnesses, skin problems, migraine headaches and any number of health related problems.

Since we spend much of our time indoors, it is critical that our indoor environment is healthy and safe. Many building products today are made of man-made chemicals and emit high levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Health experts are becoming increasingly aware and alarmed that these man-made chemicals are showing up in our blood and lungs.

Logs are 100% natural and don’t emit VOCs or other pollutants. Soil, water and air combined with the energy from the sun, in a miraculous process of photosynthesis, are everything needed to make a tree grow. From an ecological point of view, solid wood is the only building product that is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, energy efficient and extremely beautiful. Logs and other solid wood, as basic building components, generate the least amount of air and water pollution, emission of greenhouse gases and solid waste. For example, steel and concrete require 2.4 times and 1.7 times more energy than wood to produce and 1.42 times and 1.67 times more airborne emissions with potential toxic or negative health effects. (The Canadian Wood Council – The Anhena Project).

Advances in forestry practices have steadily increased the supply and growth of plantation and private forests. In North America, the growth of new forests has outpaced the demand and can remain at a sustainable rate. In the long run, sustainable building products that are ecologically friendly are the only viable answer to a cleaner environment.

With energy costs on the rise and no end is sight, it makes good economic sense to design and build with conservation in mind. There is a great deal of documented evidence supporting the energy efficiency related to the construction of log homes. Studies conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other testing organizations have compared log homes to other types of construction such as conventionally framed and masonry. Test results prove the energy efficiency gained through the thermal mass of solid wood walls. Log walls better utilize the available energy in both summer cooling and winter heating. (The Log Home Council, Documented Energy-Efficiency and Thermal Mass Benefits of Log Construction).

Most people building log homes plan to own and live in them for an extended period of time. Their log home may be a family retreat or a retirement home that they intend to own for the rest of their lives. The turnover rate of log homes is much lower than the average conventionally built house. With such a long term outlook, the decision to build and live in an energy efficient log home makes good sense for the health of the environment, you and your family.

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