Members of the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Log Homes Council 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 second anniversary of the national event for the Log Homes Council members.
“This July, homebuyers can discover everything they need to know to make their dream log home a reality,” says Randy Comber, Log Homes council chair. “Many log-home owners tell us that merely living in a log home provides them with a sense of sanctuary and connection to nature that is calming.”
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 see companies affiliated with 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.
“When you buy from a company that belongs to the Log Homes Council, peace of mind comes standard,” said Comber. “Each company that belongs to the council has adopted policies that will protect your investment.”
For more information, visit www.loghomes.org.
