Welcome Family to the November 2013 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.
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Trivia Question: What do these common acronyms stand for? 1) WD-40 2) CVS (the stores) 3) M & M (candies) 4) PAM (cooking spray) and 5) YAHOO (the website company.) (See the answer below.)
I just returned from a trip to Mongolia to visit our distributor and meet with developers interested in building Oak log homes for their people. While there, I had an opportunity to take my first camel ride! The two hump camel can be found in Mongolia which gives a new meaning to “Hump Day!”
How Long Does It Take To Build a House? According to the 2012 Survey of Construction from the Census Bureau, it takes an average of 7 months from obtaining a building permit to completing a new single family. home. Homes built on owners land take longer – about 8 months and 11 months if they are owner-built. Want to read more? Click here.
Do you love your dogs? Consider a shower for them! The homeowner says this is the perfect way for her to clean them up after they get muddy on the farm. Those are some lucky dogs!
Looking for a spot for a wine fridge? I thought this was an smart use of the end of the kitchen eating bar. Much handier than putting it in the kitchen work area.
Do you live close to New York State or western North Carolina and like to see a Gastineau Log Home?: We have two homes shipping to these states in November. If you would like to go see one, give us a call at 800-654-9253.
One story plans are not common in the log home industry but we have a lot of them built in the Midwest. This is the back of a Summit design with a 2 car garage added with a walk out basement. This is an efficient 1355 square foot 3 bedroom 2 bath home.
Many people find unique items to include in their log home. This light fixture came out of a Chicago saloon that Al Capone used to favor. The spacious ceiling in this custom home in MO is a perfect way to highlight this gorgeous piece of history.
If you have a walk out basement, you can use log siding like the photo of the Summit above, or you could use something like the stone used on this home north of Atlanta.
Characteristics of New Single Family Homes in US? Want to know the type of foundation most common in your part of the country? In the total US, it is 39% basements, 30% slab and 30% crawlspace. BUT by region, there is a big difference. In the Northeast, it is 68% basements, 22% slab and 11% crawlspace. Midwest is 71% basement, 24% slab and 5% crawlspace. In the South 10% basements, 75% slab and 16% crawlspace. The West is 26% basements, 45% slab and 29% crawls pace. The average sq footages, # of stories, and a ton of other information is available here. Why should we care? For one thing, we PAY to have these studies done and second, if you are moving to a different part of the country, you may want to see what is typical there so you are prepared.
Steve Harding is the Director of Operations at GLH. He is your primary contact for delivery of your home to your site. Steve lives in a beautiful Gastineau Log Home near our model home center.
Want to know what we look like? It is always nice to put a face with a name. If you would like to see our company directory, click on the photo of Steve or go to our website under “Contact Us” and you will see a Company directory. Our email addresses are there too.
How would you like this view from your porch each day?
Construction Seminar Schedule for 2013:
Our seminars are over for 2013.
The Fall Home Show Season is behind us as well. We may have another log raising in southeast Missouri in a few weeks. We will keep you posted!
->Answer to the Trivia Question: 1) Water Displacement – 40th Attempt 2) Consumer Value Stores 3) Mars & Murries – last name of the candies founders 4) PAM – Product of Arthur Meyerhoff and 5) Yet Another Heirarchial Offical Oracle.
Quote of the Month: ” A bargain is something you can’t use at a price you can’t resist.” ~Franklin P. Jones
