Log Home Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the difference between a full log home and half log home?
A. There's more than one difference. The core difference is that with half log construction, the half log home or cabin is built just like a conventional style home with dimensional (standard) lumber, and log siding is attached to the studs. So, one difference is that that method presents far more design opportunities and choices- you can build any home design with half log construction. Another is that a half log home is much more economical, obviously because of material costs, but also because of the flexibility in siting, ease of construction, and energy efficiency that modern building techniques offer.
Q. How much does an average custom half log home cost?
A. We can tell you about $150.00 per sq/ft. The total depends on your personal choices for your home (or log cabin), since with half log construction, you can have anything modern home design can do.
Q. How often do you have to stain a log home or cabin?
A. That depends on the quality of the stain. We unhesitatingly recommend Sikkens stains. A quality stain such as Sikkens allows you from 3 to 5 years if you want the best log weatherproofing and protection.
Q. What other maintenance is there in a log home other then staining?
A. With true half-log construction, there's no other maintenance, since the logs are not structural. In a full log home, using logs as structural components means occasional work to compensate for log shrinkage, settling, and movement. In a half log system these simply aren't things you ever need to be concerned with.
Q. How long should a log home last?
A. A well-designed and properly maintained log home should last forever.
Q. What are some design ideas to make log home maintenance simpler?
A. It's a good, practical idea to keep the first course (row) of logs at least 18 inches above grade, and also to have at least two foot overhangs on all eves.
Q. How are the utilities installed in a half log home compared to a full log home?
A. In a half log home the utilities are run just as in a conventional home. This allows for relatively inexpensive installation of energy-efficient HVAC, wiring for electrical and "smart home" systems, multiple bath/bar/kitchen fixtures, and more. In a full log home all of these are problematic, as there are no natural cavities in full log walls. In addition to the labor intensive original installation, once you have an outlet or light switch in a full log wall it is very hard to move it.
Q. Why do you think kiln drying logs is important?
A. By kiln drying all of our logs, we can set the pitch at a higher temperature. Kiln drying will thus kill all the bugs/larvae that can be in a tree. Our kiln drying also lets us control the moisture content of the log, which eliminates problems with log warping and log shrinkage.
Q. How much more does a metal roof cost than a traditional shingled roof?
A. A metal roof can cost up to 3-4 times more then a standard shingle roof, but it is a one time only process and far more weatherproof.
Q. How far away do we travel to build our log homes? How far will we ship log kits and packages?
A. Stevens Point Log homes, Inc., ships all over the United States and has relationships with builders throughout the Great Lakes region and in various parts of the country. Most of our homes are in Wisconsin, the Chicagoland area, Minnesota, and Michigan's U.P. We ship log packages anywhere within the continental United States, though most clients are in the Midwest and Plains states.
