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Explore our FAQ section to find answers to common questions about log home construction.
If you’re ready to start planning your dream log home, contact us today. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
If you’re ready to start planning your dream log home, contact us today. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
Log homes are naturally warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This is a result of the thermal mass (the ability of logs to retain heat for an extended period because of wood’s low thermal conductivity, then to release the heat back into the building slowly as indoor air temperatures drop) in a 6” log wall being equivalent to a frame wall with an R-value of 15.
The National Association of Home Builders’ National Research Center conducted a study of log homes vs. conventional homes and was able to conclude that log homes energy efficiency “compares well with conventionally insulated wood-framed homes.”
“Log homes use equal or less energy than their conventionally built counterparts and that log mass is a significant benefit.”
In this test, log structures performed better than the insulated, wood building in the intermediate heating season and in the summer cooling season.
The National Association of Home Builders’ National Research Center conducted a study of log homes vs. conventional homes and was able to conclude that log homes energy efficiency “compares well with conventionally insulated wood-framed homes.”
“Log homes use equal or less energy than their conventionally built counterparts and that log mass is a significant benefit.”
In this test, log structures performed better than the insulated, wood building in the intermediate heating season and in the summer cooling season.
The logs are precut as to size and shape. The corner’s are pre routed also. Any additional cuts will need to be made onsite by the homebuilder or contractor.
Mountain State Log Homes purchases kiln dried log cants and cuts the logs to various lengths in our production shop. The logs have been dried to within 15-18% moisture content.
The results of burn tests of log structures indicate that, in the event of fire, log homes burn more slowly than conventional housing and therefore risk less fire damage. Fire will spread much slower across the face of a log wall than on other wall covering materials. A slower spreading fire is obviously easier to escape from than a rapidly spreading fire, and it will probably not damage as much surface area as a faster spreading fire.
As for burn-through, when logs burn, they form char, which acts as an insulator or a barrier, shielding the wood from the fire and slowing the rate of burn-through. Tests on some logs have shown they burn at a rate 1 1/2 inches per hour. That means that a home with 6-inch walls, a fire would have to burn intensely for hours before the log wall or structural beams would fail because of burn-through.
In most conventionally built brick and wood frame homes, fire codes require the placement of fire breaks in the hollow, insulated walls to prevent the formation of flues or channels that help the fire spread. Solid log walls form a natural fire break because there are no channels to facilitate the spread of the fire.
Mountain State Log Homes does not pre treat their logs. However, we do sell borate that can be applied to the exterior of the logs at time of construction to treat the logs. We also sell 2 types of stain, water base and oil base.
Our “Dry-In” includes the materials you will need to “Dry-In” your home. It will include the materials for the Sub-Floor, Logs, Tape, Screws, foam gasket, Caulking, beams and/or posts needed, the 2×4 interior wall framing, the 2×6 interior wall framing for the plumbing walls, the exterior windows and doors, and the materials for the roof system. If the home shows the porch, it would include those materials to build that porch. We currently are quoting Metal roof systems, with many colors to choose from.
We can also Quote materials for a shell. This would include your Logs, Screws, Foam Gasket Tape, and Caulking for your Log walls. We can figure in as much, or as little, material you are interested in. The cost will be of the materials, as we do not charge to calculate changes.
If you have any questions that we haven’t addressed here on this page, please feel free to send us an e-mail or contact us and we’ll be pleased to help you.
Mountain State Log Homes
Ready to turn your dream into reality?
Contact us today to start planning your custom log home with Mountain State Log Homes.
If you have more questions or are ready to start planning, we’re here to help. Contact us today for personalized assistance and expert guidance on your log home journey.
If you have more questions or are ready to start planning, we’re here to help. Contact us today for personalized assistance and expert guidance on your log home journey.
