
Welcome to the January 2011 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 www.oakloghome.com.

This small but functional kitchen has all the features you would want: granite countertops, stainless appliances, hardwood floors, exceptional lighting, walk in pantry, wine rack, ceramic tile backsplash, farmers sink, Oak beam ceiling, breakfast seating for two….
Trivia Question: What are the top ten resolutions made every year?
Happy New Year to each and every one of you from all of us at Gastineau Log Homes! May 2011 bring you health, happiness and a log home if that is your dream.
Price Increase for 2011: Gastineau Log Homes will be having a price increase effective on Feb 1, 2011. Contact your dealer or sales representative to discuss how you can avoid this price increase on your log home!
Lighting used in kitchen photo above: A kitchen can be the easiest or most difficult room to light. The easiest if you plan ahead; the hardest if you ignore it until the last minute! The kitchen above has both ceiling lights as well as lights mounted to the kitchen cabinets. There are lights under the wall cabinets which provide direct illumination onto the counter top working surface. (This is one of my personal favorites.) There are also lights on top of the wall cabinets which shine up on the Oak beams. (Another one of my favorite tricks.) These keep this area from being dark and really shows off the grain of these beautiful beams. There are pendant lights hanging down from a beam shining onto the eating bar. There are unobtrusive track lights on the sides of a beam that can be directed toward specific locations as needed. A ceiling fan was added to provide cooling of a hot kitchen and because this particular room did not have a lot of cross ventilation. Plus, the ceiling fan looks nice! An extra electrical outlet was added into the bar to provide electricity for crock pots or other appliances so that area can serve as a buffet also. All very easy ideas to incorporate into your kitchen if you think of them ahead of time.

Nestled back into the trees, at the base of the mountain, you can understand why they wanted a log home. Any other type of home would simply look out of place.
Fiberglass Shingle Roof vs Metal Roofing The majority of log homes built in the US have a composition shingle roof. However, a lot of log home owners opt for a metal roof. For details, see Shinges vs Metal. Another factor that I advise you to consider is the amount of snow you expect where you will be building. In some areas, a metal roof is a must because it allows the snow to easily slide off the roof. The design of your roof also makes a difference in this area of course. The valley in the roof above causes a much larger amount of water to run off in one area, causing the icicles you see.

It doesn’t take a lot of decorations for a log home to make a statement. Some snow, a wreath on the fireplace and some garland and poinsettas in the windows will do the trick.

Very little maintenance required for this back yard! If your lot has a steep slope and lots of natural rock, don’t try to improve on Mother Nature!
Finishing off your basement? If you are planning to finish your basement and it will have a slab floor, you need to have all your plumbing and electrical needs determined before you pour your floor. Even if you are not planning to do the finishing until later. We can draw your basement plan as part of your blueprints so this can problem can be avoided.

The great room of this home has an open kitchen, dining and living room. The tall cathedral ceiling features exposed beam trusses. Sliding doors on both sides of the fireplace lead onto a spacious deck while the French doors off the rear of the dining area lead to a screened in porch, complete with hot tub! Overlooking the private lake, of course…
Log Home Shows where you can see Gastineau Log Homes!
January 21 – 23, 2011 Valley Forge, PA
February 18 – 20, 2011 Dallas, TX
February 25 – 27, 2011 Nashville, TN
March 25 – 27, 2011 Indianapolis, IN
For more information call 800-654-9253
Construction Seminar Schedule for 2011:
February 19, 2011
March 19, 2011
May 14, 2011
July 16, 2011
September 10, 2011
October 22, 2011
Answer to the Trivia Question: According to the goals guy, the results from a survey of over 300,000 people say: 1. Lose weight and get in better physical shape 2. Stick to a budget 3. Debt reduction 4. Enjoy More Quality Time with Family and Friends 5. Find my soul mate 6. Quit Smoking 7. Find a Better Job 8. Learn Something New 9. Volunteer and Help Others 10. Get Organized. And the 11th New Years Resolution that I am sure all of you have is… build my log home in 2011!!
Quote of the Month: “I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there’s purpose and worth to each and every life.” – Ronald Reagan