Welcome to the October 2010 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: In what cities did the Pony Express begin and end and how many states did the Pony Express travel through? (Answer at the end.)
Happy 33rd Birthday to Gastineau Log Homes! Today, October 1, 2010 is our 33rd birthday. I want to say Thank You to everyone that has chosen to build a Gastineau Log Home over the past 33 years. You are spread over all 50 states and 11 countries. You have built small cabins to large luxurious custom homes and lots of commercial buildings as well. You are the reason we continue to do what we do and we thank you for your friendship as well as your business. As the family of Gastineau Log Homeowners grows, we look forward to the new ideas that we see every day and the new opportunities that you give us. Thank you to all our past, present and future homeowners.
Design advice for “smaller” log homes. When you look in a lot of the log home magazines, you will see huge homes with 4000 or 5000 square feet. In truth, the average log home we see being built is between 2000 and 2500 square feet. For some people this is larger than the home they are moving from; for some it is smaller. Two things make most log homes “feel” larger than they are: open floor plans and cathedral ceilings. Many of the open floor plans eliminate hallways, which also makes better use of the square footage. Most log homes have a lot of windows that bring the outside into the home. Add the additional living space that comes from porches, sunrooms, etc. and you can see why a 2000 square foot log home may feel like a 3500 square foot suburban home. Let our designers put your dream on paper. They have lots of great ideas that they can share with you!
8 Reasons Why You Should Build Now Have you been holding up on your plans to build your dream log home because of the economy or the housing market? If you listen to the media, anyone would be concerned! In reality, this is the best time to build that I have seen in the 33 years I have been in the housing industry. But read the attached document for all the details. Just click here
“Have you seen something you like and want to have in your log home? Such was the case with this Oklahoma customer. They wanted round hand peeled pine posts and exposed truss front entrance. Even though we had never done something like this, our engineering and manufacturing departments teamed up to give the customer just the look they wanted! If you don’t see something in our literature or on our web site does not mean that we cannot make it for your home. Send us a picture if you can and we will see what we can do!
What is a prismaatic dormer in a Log Cabin 2 Gol?
A picture is much better than a description! This addition to the roof can really open up the ceiling to make the space feel much larger. Our new LC2Go model for our model home center in central Missouri will feature a prismatic dormer.
This Dakota is in Frederick, MD. This is one of our standard plans that is also available as the Back to Basic #3 plan.
What is a log profile? This is one of the “buzz words” that you might hear when talking with someone about a log home. There are two profiles: what you see on the outside and what you see on the inside. They can be the same or they can be different. For example, if the logs are round on the outside that is a “round exterior profile.” If they are flat on the interior with bevels at the top and bottom, that is a “flat beveled interior profile.” A “D” log profile means that log is round on the outside and flat on the interior. (Like the letter D.) The price is the same for any profile; it is your choice!
2010 Upcoming Building Seminars at GLH:
The last seminar for 2010 will be held on November 13, 2010 at the model home center in central MO.
Log & Timber Home Informational Fair GLH will be in Austin, TX on November 13 & 14 at the Woodward Conference Center. Come by and talk to us!
Any type of appliances can be used in your log home. Some people like the look of the old time stoves but with the conveniences of modern cooking.
Answer to the Trivia Question: The Pony Express started in St. Joseph, MO and ended in Sacramento, CA. It only went through two states (MO and CA) as the rest of the area was still territories. For more information on the route, click here
Quote of the Month: “If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. ~Anonymous
