True Log Home FAQs
What is a “True Log Home Package”?
When you purchase a log package kit from us, you are not purchasing a shipment of random length logs. A handcrafted house is peeled, cut, scribed, notched and built in our yard before being unassembled and shipped. Our pre-cut lathed/milled log house is labeled by numbers along with a wall map to for ease of onsite building. True Log homes and cabin packages can contain everything, log-wise, that’s included on your chosen plans. Porch supports, log walls, any second floor log joists, log ridge pole, log purlins or log rafters are all sized according to plans. We have two options for fastening logs together: log screws or through-bolts. As for insulation, both types of log home packages come with their own form to go in the copes.
We can work with our customers in arranging additional materials that they may require such as tongue and groove pine, rough-cut batten board siding, log siding, rough-cut window trim, and log stains and sealants. We believe you will find a cost savings in completing your home using local to you suppliers for lumber, windows, doors, roofing, flooring etc.
What kind of log fasteners come with my log home package?
Log Connection Hold-Down Options
Log Screws
We’ve found that the most common way to fasten down the logs is using log screws. They are countersunk and fastened along each side of each window or door opening in the wall The spacing is commonly every 4’ and within a short distance from each corner. This is done for every course of logs in your log wall. With this hold-down choice, you are able to attach the starter course of log directly into the solid blocking on the top of the concrete foundation. We’ve found that its a more popular method for DIY’ers.
Through-Bolts
As an upgrade, we offer the choice of through-bolts. Besides giving your log walls lateral strength it is also a great way to keep the logs from twisting. The system of through bolts we offer are coupled with a tension spring to compress the logs while they settle, essentially squeezing the logs in the wall together from the start of the build. With the through-bolt system you will get a foundation plan for locating where bolts are to be placed into the concrete stem walls. We pre-drill the logs to prep for this spring loaded bolt system. It runs through the center of your log walls, and connects directly to your foundation.
Here at True Log, we recommend purchasing one of these two options for connecting your log walls but you may choose to source your own at a local building store. We’re an advocate for shopping local whenever possible.
Here is a link for information by the Log and Timber Homes Council on fasteners for log homes if you wish to research more before deciding on log screws or through-bolts:
https://www.nahb.org/-/media/10C9D62FDC354CF5B5D5E76AE5176ED6.ashx
How do I get started? Plans?
We have a great design team who would like to assist you in designing a home that fits you and your family’s needs and desires. Of course, every home has to be designed for the properties specific requirements, and also fit into your and your family budget. We do have several sample floor plans and elevations that are for ideas and to assist you in planning your home. If one of the plans is close in either size or design, we would be happy to provide you with estimates and pricing. This will assist you to see if it will fit within your desired budget.
Please remember that the plans are just lines on paper and can be moved or removed to fit your needs, we charge per square foot or hourly for the plans and can make any changes you need to make in order to make it your home. You will receive a complete set of working drawings and can shop your plan to engineering firms if your county requires.
Contact Michelle Maushak at Log Cabin Design LLC | Maushaks@gmail.com | (208)-507-0991
What does the process look like?
First we will get you into design. After you have a house plan that you’re happy with, sign a contract and place a deposit then we can put your project on our build schedule. During this time you will want to get your local building-permit and shop for a quality local contractor for the concrete and finish work (constructing the doors, windows, roofing, flooring etc.). While your local contractor is doing your dirt-work and concrete we will be building your log package at our yard! When the package is finished. True Log Homes will make arrangements with you for the best time to ship your log project to be built on your site!
How long does my log cabin/home package it take to build?
Construction time varies by complexities of roof systems and square footage size. After the contracts are signed and a deposit is made we will put you on our build or manufacture schedule.
Tell me about shipping…
After the log package is manufactured at our facility, each log is labeled (lathed/manufactured style packages are bundled and wrapped in preparation for shipment to the building site. The handcrafted logs are shipped full log wall length and the milled/lathed style are shipped in bundles 16′ and under long, 4′ tall by 4′ wide. We can obtain a bid cost and line up shipment or you are welcome to.
We do understand that shipping costs are dependent on fuel prices etc and with that in mind, we like to get a bid for costs within a few weeks of the ship date. FOB 120 Log Cabin Lane, Grangeville ID.
How long does it take to set-up the logs onto my foundation?
The usual assembly time is about 8-20 hours per 1,000 square feet of home for a good sized crew. This time will vary depending on the complexity of the log design and the physical characteristics of the building site.
How much money can I expect to spend on finishing my log home?
The finish cost for log homes and log cabins vary depending on the complexity of your build. After submitting log home plans to your general contractor, you should be able to obtain a complete bid. Expect to see the roofing materials, floor joists, framed interior partitions, door and window buck trim, heating, plumbing and electrical and all flooring and staining. If your more of a do-it- yourselfer, you may want to “general” the project yourself. Did you know that you can take your home plans to a local hardware store and get a material cost list for free? The cost of a completed lathed/milled log home can be comparable to a completed conventional home. You can expect a handcrafted custom log home to be a higher cost that a builder’s grade conventional home, however large savings in labor costs are common for the owner-builder.
What if I want exposed log timbers or rafters?
All of our log-packages include the timbers and rafters in the plan-set, but if you’re looking for strictly accents for your home just contact us!
Building Codes?
True Log Homes plans are designed to meet or exceed the building code national standards. (Council of American Building Officials) Occasionally a customer lives in an area where there is high snow load or wind and has a need for an engineered stamped plan set and we can help through that process and can definitely accommodate that in building the log package by making the engineer specified changes.
Where do I go for a building permit?
The planning and zoning department for the county you would like to build in.
Let’s talk money, what do you charge a square foot of log home?
Log Package price is dependent on log size, wood species preference and roof system complexity. Generally lathed/milled log home packages are less cost than handcrafted style. Shipping and setup will be in addition to log package price. Email us a picture of your plan and what kind of log you’re most interested in and we can get you a free quote fairly quickly!
What type of foundation?
The foundation to support a log home is usually an 8″ wide stem wall with 2 ft wide X 8″ footing with approximately a 16″ X 16″ rebar grid. This is the responsibility of the Owner or Contractor.
In the chinked style home, the first course of logs is connected with ¾” threaded rod imbedded into the cement wall at least 8″ fixed with approved epoxy at 6ft OC. The walls are then pinned with ¾” X 21&” steel rods at 4 foot OC and at window and door openings.
For the Swedish cope method, the logs can be bolted with ¾” threaded rod from the foundation to the top course. We use Fiberglass, sheep wool insulation, or RX sealant between logs in the Swedish cope method.
What else should I mention in asking for my free quote?
We offer lots of extra rustic touches! Optional log package materials include: log railing materials, half-logs or 3-inch thick treads for stairs, blued pined tongue & groove boards for 2nd floor decking and soffit, insulation, and chinking materials, live edge “wiggle-wood” siding for your eaves and gables, rough-cut batten board siding for your eaves and gables, log or rough-cut lumber window and door trim.
Where do your logs come from?
We primarily source our logs from the area in which we live, Idaho! We have a source for local cedar, harvested from a Selway fire. Many other log home manufacturers import wood from our well-managed forests but we’re lucky enough to be in the center of high quality, dead-standing Pine, Douglas fir, and Spruce!
Who do you recommend for financing my home package?
We are on the approved builder list for US Bank and Bannor Bank. Local Credit Unions are also very good at offering construction loans! There are a lot of financing options out there online as well!
Are their health benefits associated with living in a log home?
Often people feel that being surrounded by natural log walls adds a fresh smell and reduces allergies and asthma.
What kind of upkeep should I expect?
We recommend that you inspect the exterior of your home yearly. Look for any failed chinking or caulking and check the exterior stain for durability. One easy way of testing is to spray water onto the sealed log, if the log turns a darker color then you know it’s time to re-apply sealant. We recommend using quality stain/sealing products and not cheap, local store brands. It often makes the difference in years of use.
Energy Efficiency of Log Homes and Cabins
For years, people that live in log homes testify to a greater level of comfort and less energy usage than those in a stick framed home. The simple explanation is thermal mass, meaning the logs store and radiate heat slowly, acting as a thermal battery. This is why R-Value alone isn’t a perfect measure of a log’s energy performance. This benefit is found in the ‘’International Energy Conservation Code” published by ICC and adopted by both state and local authorities. This energy code specifies the provisions for “mass walls”.
The Energy Performance of Log Homes