Hybrids, cabins, partnerships to lead industry innovations
A Country's Best Log Homes survey of producers revealed new strategies and innovations to appeal to people thinking about building or remodeling. Plans for 2009 include design/build partnerships, a move toward turnkey (start-to-finish design and construction) operations, continued emphasis toward green construction, expansion into hybrid and cabin lines, and incorporation of more accent elements in already-existing homes.
New partnerships, new approaches
Log-home maintenance provider Perma-Chink's newly formed Mobile Training Division uses a fully equipped van to travel around the country to locations not near anv of its stores and distributors and conduct seminars and hands-on workshops. The van stocked with log wall mockups and equipment used for the application of the company's sealants, stains and finishes. Seminars will demonstrate new products and offer tips and advice for routine log home maintenance, says marketing director Nadia O'Hara.
The mobile presentation is modeled after the popular weekend workshops held at Perma-Ohink's store and distributor locations for several years, she says.
Rocky Mountain Log Homes will update and expand its floor plans in 2009. New-look homes will feature updated kitchens, master suites, bedroom arrangements, and storage options and even expands outdoor living. Rocky Mountain, in conjunction with acclaimed wood home architectural firm MossCreek Designs, will offer 10 new floor plans and designs for its line of Natural Accent homes. "These homes are meant for the homeowner who prefers working with multiple materials instead of an all-log home," says Rocky Mountain President Jim Schueler.
Southland Log Homes of South Carolina is teaming with Donald A. Gardner Architects to provide a line of milled log homes. "This alliance brings the best ideas in modern home design together with the best in manufacturing log house packages and cabin kits" says George Miller, CEO of Southland.
Turnkey and new approaches toward construction
PrecisionCraft Log Homes and Timber I тате is helping clients find the most qualified builder to finish their home. "The Builder Bid Administration program submits a Request for Proposal asking preferred builders to bid on their clients' home projects," says Jennifer Hetherington, marketing director for PrecisionCraft. "By requiring builders to compete for their client's business, they receive optimal pricing and superior quality."
Wisconsin Log Homes continues to advance services and support within its Design Build Solution program, says marketing manager Stephanie Janczak. "Aside from providing architectural design, product selection, turn-key construction, site visits, and interior design and decor, Wisconsin Log Homes now assists clients in their search for property through their National Realtor Services " she says.
Wisconsin's interior design services now include custom cabinetry design and sales. "As the program begins, each client is provided with private pages on the Wisconsin Log Homes web site for online access to their projects status and vital information," Janczak says.
Wisconsin Log Homes will also produce new floor plans each month.
Strongwood Log Home Company has introduced a new fully kiln-dried, 10-inch round Swedish cope saddle-notch corner log. The log offers the same minimal shrinkage/settling advantages as its traditional square and D-Iog profiles, only in a bigger, beefier log style.
Consumer response has been strong to this log that lends itself to traditional
round log Western design. Strongwood has built two homes since introducing the log this year, with several more in design and waiting to be shipped. While it takes up to 50 days to kiln dry these large-diameter logs to specifications, clients say the resulting quality is worth the wait.
Green construction and smart design
In January 2009, PrecisionCraft Log Homes and Timber Frame's non-profit
organization, Green Log Awards, is launching its 2009 Green Log Homes and Lifestyles Awards program, says Hetherington. "This program recognizes companies that have a commitment to preserving our way of life on this planet " she says.
Recycling is a focus at Lodge Logs. "We're starling a new pellet mill where they will turn all waste and sawdust produced from the saw mill and log home mill into clean-burning wood pellets," says Michael Thomas. "We use 100% of the tree from the time we harvest it in the forest of Idaho," he says.
In reaction to the changing economy, Landmark Log Homes went back to the drawing board to create a "smart design" approach to home planning. The Landmark 100 Series scrutinizes the design and material specifications to allow a wood home to be built for less than SI00 a square foot.
Landmark developed a set of stock plans designed for energy efficiency, says Lisa York, co-owner of Landmark Log Homes (Vevay, Indiana). "Then the home is tailored to the client's specific needs and is then built with cost-conscience materials for an affordable dream home," she says. "It's not as much about shrinking the home as it is building it wisely and affordably."
Smart construction and energy conservation will be the focus of a new series of homes by Fireside Log Homes (Ellijay, Georgia). "Because of their energy storing capacity, log homes offer owners the ultimate benefit from the green movement," says Fireside marketing director Dianne Lassiter. "High fuel costs have prompted us to create new home designs called 'Green in the Extreme* that are not just smaller and more energy efficient, but take advantage of the sun and the wind."
Hybrids, cabins, and more
A new luxury cabin series was launched by PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame in October. Released once a month through [anuary, the designs "are luxury log and timber frame cabins that are smaller in size but still have that luxury feel to them using a combination of elements such as wood, glass, stone, and other materials," says Jennifer Hetherington.
Beyond the new cabin plans, the company's noted in-house design team, Mountain Architects, is producing a new home design every month. "The goal of our Design of the Month program is to inspire and excite log and timber frame home enthusiasts with new design ideas," Hetherington says.
Lodge Logs is in the process of building a new mill that will produce 6x10 and 8x12 logs using dovetail corners and pre-cut/pre-drilled and include its Thru-Bolt system. "The Thru-bolt system has eliminated the need for chinking; however, keeping with the tradition of the dovetail log homes, decorative chinking is certainly still available," says Lodge Logs National Sales Manager Michael Thomas.
The company is also finishing construction of a sawmill capable of handling any lumber product. "In the spring we'll be able to manufacture timbers for hybrid and timber frame homes or any other product a customer might need," Thomas says.
By January, Golden Eagle Log Homes will unveil 25 new or updated plans, and owners lay and Tod Parmeter say you'll see a trend toward more spacious homes in 2009.
Upgraded design elements include angles and arches, wider doorways with transoms, taller ceilings on first floor (10-12 feet), larger closets and more storage spaces, walk-in showers, and finished basement options.
Golden Eagle plans will also include options such as "drop zones" (places to charge phones and laptops near a practical location), beefed up fioor joists will support granite countertops, accent stonework, and additional appliances. Smart wiring will also be offered for better remote communication to the home.
Architecturally, the company will offer octagonal rooms and porches and more internal and external architectural detail as it continues to expand its line of hybrid homes with additional materials.
After having one of its best years ever in 2008, Coventry Log Homes will open a new vacation rental community, Ridgcline Village in 2009. The complex in North Haverhill, N.H. has three solid log buildings, each under 1,400 square feet.
Coventry is also offering a new log option, says marketing manager Chad Grant. "It's a clapboard styled log for
people who want a traditional clapboard siding look, but still want the benefits that solid log wall construction offers, such as heating and cooling savings," he says.
Coventry will also complete five additional Recreational Camp Series models geared toward outdoor enthusiasts. Sizes range from 192 square feet to 920 square feet.
Accent elements
Updating the selection of architectural accents and components available to existing log homes will be another improvement at Rocky Mountain. The company has updated its web site to include a tool that allows users explore different applications for each option.
In summary, log producers will be adopting a number of new approaches in 2009 to appeal to homeowners. The end result will be cheaper, more energy efficient, and more beautiful homes customized to each client.
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