Welcome to the March 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.
Trivia Question: Although the country is generally known as Libya, the correct name is somewhat longer. What is the full name of the country?
This home used log siding combined with rock for a very distinctive look. Log accents plus log siding on the interior in some rooms added to the rustic elegance.
What is a log home?… Seems like a simple question, right? Maybe not. Is a home with log siding a log home? Is a home with only log accents a log home? I have heard people call them log homes. At GLH, we have always considered a log home to be a home built of horizontally stacked full log timbers. Others in our industry are of the opinion that a log home is whatever the consumer thinks is a log home. It reminds me of a quote I recently heard on The Big Bang Theory. “A thumb is a finger but all fingers are not thumbs.” Translates into: a solid log home is a log home but all log homes are not solid log. So although most of us at GLH are purists and believe firmly that a solid log home is the best home to build, we understand that everyone may not agree with our opinion. In that vein, after much research and planning, we are proud to offer a home that can provide the look of a log home but taking advantage of the benefits of custom off-site stick built construction.
Gastineau Log Homes and Contempri Homes announce their Timber line of homes: We are very excited to be working with Contempri Homes to develop this product line. Contempri Homes takes a different approach than that of other manufactures in that they choose to specialize in custom designed homes rather than volume building. There is an enormous amount of planning and engineering that goes into every project that they build. They offer consumers high quality construction methods that take advantage of modern building technology. Contrary to a site-built home, a Contempri Home is built in a climate controlled facility by skilled craftsmen using precise machinery and advanced methods. The result is a fantastic home that has not been exposed to the elements during construction. Contempri Homes are custom designed to fit the building site and surroundings, and are built using the same building codes that traditional site-built homes use. The difference is that many of the GLH log construction components can be integrated into this design. Log exterior siding with full log corners make it impossible to know if the home is solid log or not. Interior log siding can be added inside also. Exposed beam trusses, beam ceilings, wood trim for doors and windows, T & G ceilings or walls are all possible. Contempri’s focus on custom homes is a what our customers want: a home that is designed for them for their site. Their engineering expertise combined with the GLH design and engineering expertise can help you achieve the dream home that you have been planning for years. Contact us if you would iike more information on a home like this!
Log siding being installed on the exterior of a Contempri Home inside the Convention Center in St Louis last weekend for the home show being held March 3 – 6.
Difference between Heartwood and Sapwood: The sapwood of a tree has very, very different qualities from the heartwood. In every wood species, the heartwood (center) is the “best” part of the tree. When looking at the logs provided by different log home companies, look at the end of the log to see if the sapwood (outer layers) has been removed. (You can tell by the color difference with the heartwood being darker.) If there is sapwood on the outside of the log, the quality of the wood is not the best. There is a heavy price to pay for buying inferior sapwood products to use in a log home. Also, don’t pay heartwood prices when what you are getting is mostly sapwood. Don’t be a sap; choose heartwood.
This custom designed home was planned to fit onto the narrow lot to take advantage of the view to the rear of the property.
A construction photo sent to us by one of our proud log home owners!
Planning your building site: When looking for a building site, look for good, natural drainage and good soil depth. Watch out for rock below the surface if you are planning a basement. Also, if you want a walk out basement, a slope of at least 6 feet in the width of the home will minimize the cost. Plan to take advantage of natural light. Always consider the cost of driveways, connecting to electrical and water services, and the type of septic the soil will require. A very inexpensive piece of land can be a very expensive building site just to have a driveway, electricity and water!
This view show the payback for taking the time to plan your final view!
Log Home Shows where you can see Gastineau Log Homes!
March 3 – 6, 2011 St Louis, MO
March 25 – 27, 2011 Indianapolis, IN
For more information call 800-654-9253
Construction Seminar Schedule for 2011:
March 19, 2011
May 14, 2011
July 16, 2011
September 10, 2011
October 22, 2011
Answer to the Trivia Question: Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. The name and the constitution were changed in 1977, prior to which Libya was called the “Libyan Arab Republic’. Jamahiriya has no precise translation into English, but means “Government by the masses”. The new constitution set up a system whereby local “people’s committees” took on the role of national government, though Colonel Muammar Qadhafi effectively remained as Head of State.
Quote of the Month: Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles; it takes away today’s peace. ~Author Unknown
