Members of the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Log Homes Council (LHC) are celebrating National Log Home Open House Month in July by hosting home tours, log raising demonstrations, factory tours, seminars and much more. This marks the third anniversary of the national event for the LHC members.
“This month, we welcome builders and homebuyers to celebrate National Log Home Month by attending our special events and factory tours across the U.S.,” says Log Homes Council Chairman Doug Terrell of Blue Ridge Log Cabins in Campbello, S.C. “Log homes offer many unique characteristics that consumers can fully appreciate once they step inside.”
There are several benefits of owning a log home, including their inherent “green” nature. The modern manufacturing process utilizes every portion of the log, for example, and pre-cut log home packages go up quickly and leave less waste on the job site compared to conventional construction. Log homes are also energy efficient—the fact that the logs used are solid and uninterrupted, coupled with the modern sealant materials and building techniques, is what makes them highly energy efficient. According to numerous scientific studies, logs absorb heat energy during the day and radiate it at night to even out the temperature, a principle called “thermal mass,” which can make the occupants feel more comfortable while using less energy over the life of the home.
To ensure the highest quality log home, homebuyers would do well to work with companies that are part of the Log Homes Council as members must:
- Abide by a strict code of ethics.
- Grade their logs and timbers by third party agencies to ensure structural integrity.
- Provide construction manuals to ensure correct construction techniques.
- Sponsor scientific studies that advance log building technologies.
- Provide free information to help consumers make smart choices.
- “Buying your log home from a member of the LHC helps protect your investment,” says Terrell. “Each member is held to a high standard ensuring you are getting the best log home possible.”
Visit loghomes.org to learn about local events during the month-long open house.
