An online log home community for log home enthusiasts.

recomend these log companies?

Hello,

We are trying to decide on a reputable log home supplier. We are considering Tennessee Heritage Log Homes in Niota (not to be confused with Heritage Log homes or Tennesse log homes). And also Hochstetler Milling in Ohio.

Can anyone recommend these companies?

Also looking at an engineered log by Great Lakes Laminators in Michigan.

Thank you.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill Fagan on February 27, 2012 at 11:24am

Hi Ray:

Thank you for your note. I am sure you write for many home builders both log home and other types.

I would encourage you and others, who think as you do, to explore some of the latest advancements in building science technology. These advancements allow a more energy efficient and healthy home than what it sounds you have been exposed to. It is fascinating stuff and much greater minds than mine have put together some wonderful programs to share the advancements that are being made.

If you are interested, one place to start is the US Green Building Council [USGBC] and their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) home and commercial certification guidelines for building. There are trainings and programs available in both on line and in class room settings in most communities through the USGBC, as well as regional programs.

My region happens to have the Western North Carolina Green Building Council, they are a wealth of knowledge, patience, experience and have taught me a lot in the more than two years that I attended there classes. In fact I was the first non-instructor to pass their exams and earn the prestigious “Green Professional Accreditation. The WNCGBC home certification program is called “HealthyBuilt”

Many of the public and builders think of “Green Building” as a fad that will pass with time. In this day of energy cost uncertainty and an awakening to our obligations to the environment, I believe that the need for building prudently will not pass. I prefer to use the term “High Performance” homes in lieu of “green”. Building sciences have rapidly evolved during that past few years. Our clients obviously cannot be educated in current building sciences. I believe we, as builders, have an obligation to our clients to continue our education so as to give them the best possible energy efficient, low maintenance homes.

I recommend you study our website timelessmountainhomes.com. It is more an educational site about current building science technologies that my wife and I developed for clients. You may find it interesting. Also, take a look under “projects” not one home has a vented roof line. They are air tight as part of the ventalation system via use of an ERV. If you look at “Outofspace”, it has five “54” fireplaces inside the home. The home has less than 5% air leakage, as demonstrated by a blower door test [one of the many requirements a LEED certified home must pass to earn certification]. The air circulation is controlled by the use of an ERV or HRV. Every home on my site is an "air tight" home where humans control the air flow through the home not nature.

If interested, I recommend you Google--- LEED, WNCGBC, airPLUS, HRV, ERV, and Energy Star 3, Blower door test, and Duct blaster test.

You can help me also. You mentioned that are many log homes that give an air tight warranty on their logs. I only know of one and would like to learn of the others. I have been in this industry and studied this industry for years and am not aware of any other than True North Log Homes that give any air tight warranty, never mind 25 years.

Sincerely, Bill Fagan timelessmountainhomesllc@gmail.com

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Permalink Reply by Raymond Wengerd on February 27, 2012 at 2:16pm

Bill,

Myself and others who think like me need to explore the latest advancments of building science technology? Excuse me, have we met?

Look, I am not promoting or denouncing Green Building or any of the organizations you are perscribing. In fact I have been involved in several of those programs which you recommeded I get aquainted with. However, I choose not to use them as a crutch to patronize my competition.

Frankly, I see organizations for what they are. A group of people that extract money from people, to buy into the standards that occasionally has advantages attached that can not be attained outside of the organization. That doesn't mean that the standards that they attain aren't noble or correct. And if builders or home owners want to buy into them for a sense of security, that is fine with me. Same with warranties, I think warranties are typically worth every penny. However in some cases clients will have enough faith in a contractor, whether it is through referals or otherwise, that they will opt to pocket the money of a warranty or organizational fees.

But to have the cynical perspective that everybody that is not involved with a given organization or building formula, is not aware of, or does not strive for the same level of excellence of the said group or building standards, is just negative, incorrect, and exhausting.

I choose to not do your homework for you on other company's warranties. But if you follow past forums of builders on this site, you will find that their are a few builder's who offer air leak warranties on this website. I know of a few home builders local to me that offer them as standards. Personally, I offer them upon request, at the cost of the blower or infrared test.

And lastly, I coldn't agree with you more on the fact that builders, not the owners, should be the educated ones on building standards. But the way that log homes are marketed, that won't be happening any time soon.

Ray Wengerd

www.ohiologhomes.net

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Permalink Reply by Alan Kousen on February 26, 2012 at 5:13pm

We have been very happy working with Highland Log Structures, near Bristol, VA. Winston Johnson is the owner and he personally works 1 on 1 with every owner. Its a tight-knit family owned business, awesome people and right on budget.

I think the web address is www.highlandlogstructures.com; they are often at log home shows.

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Permalink Reply by Kurt Greenwall on February 26, 2012 at 9:27pm

Having built and lived in a "traditional" log home for 5 years and having worked on many "brands" as a sub-contractor, I'll recommend only one - Timberblock. It is not the usual log home but it excels in energy efficiency, ease of construction and maintenance issues. Just go to Timberblock.com. If I had it all to do over again, it is the only company I would consider. They will be in Nashville 2 March 2012.

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Permalink Reply by James W. Harbin on February 27, 2012 at 10:52pm

Hello folks, Why are you buying logs only? Jim and Pam Katahdin Cedar Log Homes

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Permalink Reply by Wayne Bell on March 9, 2012 at 8:10am

Megan: We are professional Log Home maintenance contractors so we see (and work on) all different brands of log homes and don't have any reason to promote one over another. We're based in SW Ohio (not too far from you) and have worked on a number of homes from Hochstetler Milling. We've found them to be well engineered and the homeowner's have been delighted with Hochstetler. That's not to say the other brands are problematic... just throwing in my .02 worth.

Wayne Bell

www.LogHomeCareOnline.com