Welcome to the October 2020 issue of The Oak Leaf! For new readers, this is a monthly newsletter that is sent by e-mail to those that have expressed an interest in Gastineau Log Homes. We use this as a way of communicating technical, design and industry information. For more information, check out our web site at oakloghome.com.

Check out our new website! Same address: oakloghome.com but new photos and information! Read our blogs on our website too. Our new Image Gallery has LOTS of pictures that you can view!

Please “Like” Gastineau Log Homes on Facebook!

It seems like yesterday….. well not quite. But it certainly does not seem like it has been 43 years since I moved back to MO from NY to start a log home company! Thank you to all of the people who have chosen Gastineau Log Homes during our first 43 years! And cheers to the next 43!

Often in October we offer an anniversary discount or incentive to celebrate. As you may have heard in the news, lumber prices have risen 50% since April 2020. We have not had a price increase since late 2019 and were hoping that prices would fall. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that will happen now or even in 2021.

So our Anniversary Offer this month: order your home by Oct. 31st and we will honor our current pricing if you take delivery before June 20, 2021. Because on November 1, 2020 we will have a price increase. Contact us and speak with your Customer Assistant to lock in 2019 pricing for your home to be built in 2021!

Trivia Question: What building material (wood, steel or concrete) has the smallest overall environment impact? (See the answer below.)

Life cycle Cost of Materials:

What to Prioritize for your Budget

If you’re like a lot of New-Home-Owners-To-Be, you have a stack of House Beautiful magazines in the garage. You might have another box of Architectural Digests, Veranda’s and Town & Country’s in the closet. All earmarked, dog-eared, Post-it Noted, and scribbled on. Or you might have a few Pinterest or Houzz boards overflowing with ideas — we know we do! Your dream house is living between the pages of your favorite magazines and images you have saved online—and you can’t wait to start designing!

Analyzing the Options: Often, one of the biggest challenges for homeowners is balancing what they want in their home and the possible budget limitations. As we sift through your style, your must-haves, preferences and wants, we’ll also discuss your best product choice. There are a myriad of window, flooring, and roofing products to choose from and it’s our privilege to help you identify products that satisfy the three tenants of a good investment: Purchase Price, Product Life Cycle, and Upkeep Cost.

Purchase Price: The price it will cost you today to purchase and install the product

Product Life Cycle: How long a product will last

Upkeep Cost: Maintenance & rejuvenation. In other words, what care the product requires to keep in working order throughout its life cycle

Product Insight: In every area of building a home there are decisions to make. And when it comes to actual value, quality is what matters. If you spend a little extra to get into a higher quality exterior door, for example, that is guaranteed to last for many years with little to no maintenance, you have to ask yourself “is that a good investment for what I am looking to achieve in my home”?

In contrast, a lower quality product can actually cost you more money over time. Sticking with the example of an exterior door, if you need to replace a lower quality door within 10 years, is that worth the price difference from the higher quality door? It’s so important to look at life cycle and product upkeep when making final decisions.

What are some examples?

Carpet pad: Sometimes what you can’t see can make all the difference—like carpet pad. A small upgrading in the carpet pad—from an 6# to a 8#—helps the carpet stay supported with daily wear. The water resistant option keeps stains on top, and prevents them from trickling down to the sub-floor. This seemingly insignificant product upgrade can add years to your carpet life.

Granite and Quartz: These countertop products are expensive on the front end—but if you are looking for a lifetime product with little maintenance associated with use, these options are your best bet. Also, they are just beautiful. Even if you can’t afford to do a full kitchen upgrade these surfaces will add some serious style!

Insulation and Heat barrier: Interested in lowering your monthly utility bills? Better insulation will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Our standard windows offer insulation-like properties as well as UV protection and exterior cladding. But you can also upgraded windows with even more energy efficient glass and with exterior cladding that has a longer guarantee against fading.

Decisions, Decisions: There are many decisions that go into building a home, especially if you are trying to be mindful of you budget. We are here to help you through the design and construction materials decision making process.

For the past 43 years, our company has stood for value, integrity, and quality, which is why every product we offer in our packages is backed by companies we trust, warranties, and our dedicated associates. It’s important to us that you feel comfortable building your new home and that you are happy with your choice to trust us for many years to come.