Q. |
What is included with an American Log Home? |
A. |
We prefer to ship only the materials not available locally. Our customers can save money by negotiating with a local building supply company for conventional materials such as windows, doors, roofing, etc. This approach also saves shipping charges for transporting readily available materials from our plant to your construction site. |
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| Q. |
Can I alter the interior layout of an existing design? |
| A. |
Yes, and most often with no additional cost to you. An American Log Home can be built as a completely empty shell when roof trusses are used, since all support is to the outside walls. This allows you to get the house under roof in the least possible time, which often saves you money in areas where weather might be a factor. You can then arrange the partition walls to suit your individual needs. |
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| Q. |
What type of heating and cooling systems is recommended for an American Log Home? |
| A. |
Any type of system used in a conventional home can also be used in an American Log Home. Your local climate and building code would determine the type of heating and cooling system you choose. Remember, your American Log Home has great natural insulating qualities. |
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| Q. |
Is insulation necessary in an American Log Home? |
| A. |
Wood is a natural insulator; one of the best. A concrete wall would need to be 10-feet thick to equal the insulation qualities of our 8-inch thick logs. Wood is 6-times better than brick...1600-times better than aluminum! Consideration should be given to properly insulating the floors and roof and we recommend the use of storm or insulating windows. The old adage that “you pay for insulation whether you install it or not” has never been more true. With constantly rising utility costs, you will want to make your home as energy efficient as possible. |
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| Q. |
What does American Log Homes provide in the way of construction or written materials? |
| A. |
Each homebuyer is provided with as many sets of blueprints needed as well as printed and numbered instructions for building the home. Any builder or qualified “do-it-yourselfer” should be able to construct an American Log Home by just studying the blueprint and using the materials we provide. |
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| Q. |
What kind of timber is used in an American Log Home? |
| A. |
Our homes are all cut from native southern yellow pine and kiln dried. They are uniform in size to eliminate water or snow ledges on the outer walls, and to allow flexibility in finishing the interior walls. All logs are 8-inches thick and use the heart of the log. |
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| Q. |
How are the interior walls built in an American Log Home? |
| A |
You would build interior walls just as in a conventional home. Any type of interior wall is acceptable, from sheetrock to wood paneling. We can provide clever ways to tie the interior partition walls into the curve log outer walls without the necessity of any kind of molding -- providing another saving over conventional homes. |
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| Q. |
How are the logs delivered to the construction site? |
| A. |
The log home kits ship from our plant via flat bed trailer. The logs can be unloaded by hand with the proper amount of help. Since this method can prove rather slow, consider renting the service of a forklift and operator to unload the logs to save time and wear and tear on the logs. A 1½ ton forklift is recommended to allow for unloading complete bundles. |
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| Q. |
What about consumer financing? |
| A. |
Financing is the same as any typical mortgage loan. Conventional, FHA, and VA financing is available. |
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| Q. |
Is it difficult to install electrical wiring and plumbing? |
| A. |
Not at all. It’s as simple -- if not more so -- than wiring and plumbing of a conventional home. |
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| Q. |
How are the logs joined together in an American Home? |
| A. |
See the diagram below. With the tight fitting interlocking corner feature of your American Log Home, plus our fastening system, you are assured of a weather tight home. |
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