FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A) There are several types of logs used in log home construction. Some are larger and more costly due to the labor intensive nature of processing. Some require very little labor in processing. Usually, more costly logs require more hands on labor to complete construction increasing the total cost of building the log shell. This is the case with hand crafted scribe to fit log construction. Few will argue that hand crafted scribe to fit log homes are the best looking, sturdiest, and most efficient of the types available. They can also cost as much as 10 times that of homes built with milled logs. Mahon Timber Products offer the hand crafted look at nearly the same price as our milled logs. Using butt and pass corner construction, our logs require much less time to assemble. An estimate of the cost of log materials to build the shell can quickly be known by using our log wall cost calculator . Just enter the total length of all of your log walls and the total height, choose the log type and click the calculate tab.

Q) Does a log home cost more than a conventional home?

A) Quite often they do. Using Mahon Timber Products largest logs, lets compare the cost of materials and labor needed to build an 8' X 8' wall. An 8' tall wall will require 18 logs 8' long. That's 144 linear feet of logs. At $5.70 per foot, the logs will cost $820.00 before taxes and shipping. Fasteners, log seal, caulking and protective finish will add approximately $110.00 for a total material estimate of $930.00. Labor to build the wall should be about $3.00 per linear foot. $432.00 labor added to materials will total approximately$1362.00 for the 8' X 8' wall. The materials needed to build a conventional stick frame wall are 2X6's, insulation, house wrap, exterior sheathing, drywall, tape, joint compound, paint and exterior covering. Those materials add up to approximately$150.00 for an 8' X 8' wall. Brick will add approximately $268.00 and vinyl about $30.00. Using current contractor rates from our area (our rural rates may be lower than urban rates) construction labor cost would be around $1022.00 if brick is used as exterior cover and about $470.00 if vinyl is used as exterior cover. Total estimate for stick wall is $1440.00 with brick exterior and $650.00 with vinyl exterior. So our 8' X 8" wall comparison results in estimates of the log wall at $1362.00, brick exterior wall at $1440.00 and vinyl exterior wall at $650.00. Of course these figures may be considerably lower since they reflect rural labor rates. Urban rates may be much higher especially where contractors must use union labor. In that case the cost of the labor intensive stick built wall will increase at a much higher rate than the log wall since there is only one type of labor involved in building a log wall and many divisions of labor to complete a stick built wall.

Q) Do the logs rest directly on the foundation or on the subfloor.

A) Either way is fine. Mahon Timber Product logs weigh approximately 10 pounds per linear feet resulting in a total weight of approximately 180 pounds per linear foot of 8' tall wall. That's just a bit more weight than what I place on the floor when I stand in any 1 foot area.

Q) How do you run electrical service through the wall.

A) Holes are drilled vertically through the logs to run wires.

Q) Do log walls require insulation?

A) No. Wood is one of nature's best insulations. Pine species usually have an R-value of approximately 1.2 per inch. They also have the added benefit of thermal mass. The U.S. Department of Energy concluded that log walls of a measured steady state "R" value perform better than stick frame walls of equal steady state "R" values due to thermal mass qualities found in logs.

Q) Are log homes targets for termites?

A) Not any more than other houses built with wood. If there is concern about termites at the construction site, simply take the normal precautions to minimize potential for termites. Termite strips can be attached on the transition from foundation to wood. Keep foundation walls clear of obstructions so termite tunnels can be seen before they are completed. Treat the ground next to the foundation with insect repellants.

Q) Why do some log homes turn grey?

A) Either they were not sealed with a product that has adequate ultra violet block, or they simply were not sealed often enough or at all. Log sealers have varying degrees of u.v. block and longevity. Some must be used twice a year to provide adequate protection while other products may easily last as long as eight years before a maintenance coat is needed. The best finishes may cost two to three times that of others, but are well worth their price to make a log home exterior virtually maintenance free.

Q) Can the logs in a log home rot?

A) Absolutely. If poor roof construction allows inadequate protection from the elements, logs can be compromised. Do not allow roof overhangs to be less than two feet and keep the logs sealed, caulked and clean to avoid log degrade. Well protected log structures last for generations. Some of the oldest structures found in the U.S. are made of logs.

Q) Do log homes require chinking?

A) Hopefully not. Although some log homes are intentionally built with gaps between the logs, most are not and do not need chinking unless they have been constructed improperly. It should take only a small bead of caulk to seal Mahon Timber Product logs however chinking can be used for esthetics if so desired.

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