FAQ
Junction Log Homes will try to answer some of the basic questions that people have before they call or visit. These questions and answers represent some basics on log homes, log home kits and log home shell packages. Anything you do not see here, can be handled through our contact form.
Here are a few of the frequently asked questions we’ve received over the years and the answers.
Is A Cedar Log Home Environmentally Friendly?
What could be more natural than choosing a log home? By sourcing local timbers, we eliminate much of the transportation impact of our products. Our by-products are re-purposed to many other products. Sustainable harvesting practices keep our footprint as small as possible. Think that a cedar log used to build a home 60 years ago has more than regenerated itself.
The industrial footprint for many modern construction materials dwarfs that of a log home. The insulation requirements, plastic and fiberglass or foam, are equaled by the thermal mass of a simple, efficient and beautiful log home.
Hybrid Log Home
Anytime you combine two seemingly different technologies, a hybrid is formed. A hybrid can be achieved with the log design, combination of building principals, or by using non-traditional materials.
Engineered log. Foam core log. Either way, it is a laminated or cored log with foam insulation, sandwiched or injected to “enhance” the R-value of the logs.
What is missing from these is the traditional value of true log home construction. While Junction Log Homes have improved the performance of logs and their assembly, they use solid logs to create the thermal mass so desired by the energy conscious consumer.
Why Choose Cedar Logs?
Junction Log Homes uses Northern White Cedar. It is one of the most decay and rot resistant of woods, as well as insect -resistant. History has shown northern white cedar to have minimal checking due to its lower moisture levels, and has shown excellent resistance to termite attack. Pine does not share these characteristics. It is more susceptible to rot, decay and insects. It is more likely to check and crack due to higher moisture content. Once these cracks open, any protection or coatings are no longer protecting the logs.
Water Content
Junction Log Homes use Northern White Cedar, which has about 35% less water content by weight and pine. We air dry our product to let drying happen without unnatural cell damage that dryers can induce.
Durability
Untreated Northern White Cedar is extremely durable. Its ability to withstand direct contact with the ground is phenomenal when compared to pine. It is common for cedar to continue to perform decades after installation in ground, while pine typically fails within 3-7 years.
Compare Thermal Rating (R-value) Cedar Log Homes
The R-value is used to measure how well a material resists the flow of heat through it.
Northern White Cedar has an R-value of 1.41 per inch of thickness, this is the highest R-value of any of the species typically used in log home construction. Add the Thermal Mass Factor of 3.78 and Northern White Cedar provides outstanding value. Compare Pine at an average R-value of 1.25 per inch of thickness and a Thermal Mass Factor of 2.76, and it is clear to see why Cedar is the logical choice.
Sustainability
Northern White Cedar is a renewable resource that is actively managed to ensure biodiversity, wildlife habitat and high-quality forest products. Pine plantations are able to produce usable timber in relatively short periods of time, but they require a tremendous amount of resources to stump, seed, and prepare seedlings. Unlike cedar, which has natural resistance to insects and other pests, pine plantations need to use phosphate fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides to maintain healthy growth.
What Finishes Do You Recommend For Cedar Log Homes?
Avoid anything that creates a build-up on the wood surface that will prevent the wood from breathing. Moisture trapped inside an impermeable finish can cause severe damage.
Through years of building with cedar we have become experts in not only building cedar log homes but in choosing the right products and materials to protect your investment for years to come. It is with great pride that Junction Log Homes is an approved Sikkens dealer and are proud to apply their products to ours.
How Can You Assure Wood Quality?
We have independent licensed Timber Products Inspector (TPI) graders on call. If you require, each log can be graded and stamped – certified to meet or exceed TPI standards. The cost is approximately $1,000 per building.
How Long Can A Cedar Log Home Last?
With good design and proper maintenance the well built log home will serve for centuries.
Are Cedar Log Homes Safe In An Earthquake?
Because a log home building can flex without the structure failing, it is considered a safer building to be in during an earthquake.
How Much Do Cedar Log Homes Cost?
This is a difficult question to answer so we developed a whole page – pricing a log home – on just this.
Junction Log Homes & Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Junction Log Homes is a proud member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. For more information about Sustainable Forestry Initiative please click here
How Does A Cedar Log Home Compare For Heating?
Manufactured log home walls have comparable R-values to what you get with standard construction. However we have noted that our homes are often easier to heat than what you would expect from the R-values. There is more to the story — thermal mass. Logs offer better thermal performance based upon its mass.
Quality Assurance
While other cedar log home builders can build a cedar log home, we here at Junction Log Homes believe the true measure of quality comes from our hands on process.
Junction Log Homes is instrumental in all aspects of your cedar log home, from choosing only the best cedar at their sawmill to pre-manufacturing and then finally installing your new cedar log home on your site. We control the entire process therefore eliminating outside variables. The end result is the highest level of quality control.
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