Reasons Thermal-Log is Better than Solid-Log

Reasons Thermal-Log is Better than Solid-Log
Written by David Janczak (Founder/Owner of Wisconsin Log Homes)

My work as a builder combines craftsmanship, quality, and art, and I refused to settle for less. I pioneered our Thermal-Log™ Building System in the 1970’s knowing that log homes could be both beautiful and smart, and homeowners shouldn’t have to settle with the many flaws that come along with solid-log construction. Homes are meant to keep you and your family comfortable for years to come, and I realized first-hand that living in a solid-log home made that very difficult.

The following points show why our Thermal-Log may be better suited for your needs than solid-log construction.

1. Energy Efficiency – To ensure that every Wisconsin Log Home achieves the energy rating the owner chooses, our Thermal-Log Building System utilizes a 2x6 core wall to employ innovative insulation options and is 3 to 4 times more energy efficient than a solid-log wall.

2. High R-Values – Thermal resistance (or resistance to heat flow) is measured in R-value; the higher the R-value, the more thermal resistance. The average R-value for softwoods is 1.30 per inch and 0.71 for most hardwoods. An average 10-inch thick solid-log wall provides an R-7.9 (R-13 across its full diameter, dropping to R-5.2 at each horizontal joint). Our Thermal-Log wall system with the same 10-inch log can provide you with up to an R-47+. Higher R-values result in a more comfortable home and substantially reduced energy costs in every type of climate.

3. Energy Code Compliance – Our Thermal-Log Building System meets national building codes and all current energy standards. Solid-log homes, however, often cannot satisfy most building codes or Energy Star standards. Some states have exempted solid-log homes from normal energy compliance while others require additional insulation in the home’s roof to make up for the low R-value of the solid-log walls.

4. No Settling Adjustments – Unlike solid-log construction, our Thermal-Log is structurally maintenance free. Sure you’ll need to stain and caulk your home every few years, but there are virtually no settling problems due to exterior log wall shrinkage. You won’t have to worry about adjusting interior walls to accommodate for log settling around fireplaces, doors, windows, and support beams. I can’t tell you the number of horror stories I’ve heard over the years about the problems solid-log homeowners have had with their roof if they weren’t adjusted properly over the first 3-4 years and if subtrades are not knowledgeable or experienced, and use shortcuts during construction.

5. No Air Infiltration – Thermal-Log uses an energy smart insulated core wall wrapped in Tyvek, the most advanced air and water resistance house wrap in the industry, to ensure higher energy-efficiency by stopping air leaks, resulting in an extremely air-tight home. As a result, the Thermal-Log home’s temperature is much more consistent, and the cold and costly drafts typical with solid-log construction are completely eliminated.

Since wood naturally absorbs moisture and expands in high humidity, it also releases moisture and contracts in low humidity. A traditional solid-log home is much more vulnerable to developing air leaks as the log walls expand or contract. Often during contraction or expansion, small ‘gaps’ will open between the logs, creating air leaks, which cause drafts and costly heating or cooling bills. If not properly maintained with seasonal caulking, natural settling throughout climate changes with most solid-log homes are inevitable.

6. Ease of Electrical Installation – With our Thermal-Log, all wiring can be done conventionally. Wiring is installed in the wall cavity and ceilings prior to interior finish materials or custom log work. Outlets, lights, and even security and sound systems can all easily be mounted on any wall you need without sacrificing beauty.

Wiring a solid-log home is very time consuming and costly because of the notching, chiseling, and drilling required to hide the wires. Wire installation can only be done along doorway trim or behind additional required baseboard so the wiring can be hid. This method requires outlets to be installed much closer to the floor than normal, which can make plugging things in a chore.

7. Trouble Free Construction – Our Thermal-Log Building System has overcome the natural inadequacies of solid-log construction. Professional builders find that our building system, detailed home plans, and our knowledgeable support team brings certainty and simplicity to the job site. Because of all these advantages, the average Thermal-Log home can be built in approximately 1/3 less time than a solid-log home, saving you time and money.

Since solid-log construction often requires longer lead times and takes a longer time to build, your labor costs will always be more.

8. Design Flexibility – The flexibility of our Thermal-Log system permits an extensive range of architectural styles and the freedom to select and combine unique building materials of your choice. Both the interior and exterior of the home can be finished with an endless possibility of distinctive products. Log and timber accents are easily applied where the owner chooses without being overwhelmed by wood.

Solid-log structures consist of log exterior walls throughout the entire perimeter of the interior of the home. Besides the stain color, usually the only choice owners have is a round or flat log wall, and whether they want chinking or not.

9. Ease of HVAC Installation – Thermal-Log allows all HVAC applications to be installed conventionally and more efficiently in the core wall, or where needed without re-routing it to other walls within the house. Air ducts, diffusers, boots, etc can be installed with ease.

The exterior walls of a solid-log wall can not be used for cold air returns or any type of duct work. All duct work must be re-routed, boxed out, or hid in closets or interior framed walls. This process requires more materials and more labor, dramatically increasing cost.

10. Ease of Plumbing – Thermal-Log permits conventional plumbing work to be installed and hid within the core wall or floor system, saving the owners time and money.

Seeing that all exterior walls are solid wood in a solid-log home, they can not be used for plumbing (not even vent piping for sinks can be installed on the outer exterior walls).

11. Ease of Cabinet Installation – Thermal-Log allows for different types of wall finishes, which saves on installation costs and makes fastening cabinets and vanities to the core wall easy and fast.

Because solid-log walls aren’t typically flat and shrink in height, problems arise when cabinets are directly mounted to them. To account for movement, the installer attaches cabinets to a sub-frame wall that’s built against the log wall. In solid-log construction when cabinets are anchored directly to solid log walls, problems inherently accrue in time if the log wall settles or moves.

12. Ease of Onsite Changes – During construction when homeowners actually walk through and see their walls up; they occasionally realize that the location of a window or door would better serve their needs if it was moved. This adjustment is easily done with our Thermal-Log because the core wall can easily be disassembled or rebuilt as needed.

However, once a solid-log wall is up it is extremely expensive to relocate a window or door because the logs are all stacked on top of one another. Sadly, homeowners realize it’s something they’ll just have to live with.

13. Ease of Future Additions or Remodeling – The structural integrity of our Thermal-Log Building System gives owners total design freedom; they’re limited only by their creativity, property lines and budget when considering remodeling.

Solid-log wall additions are susceptible to developing air leaks. It is very important that the builder constructs and correctly installs slotted anchors or spline boards to allow for movement between the existing structure and the new addition. These joints must be re-caulked as the movement will continue to break the seal.

14. Unlimited Artistic Architectural Styles – Thermal-Log Building System allows for a wide range of styles from Western Mountain, Pacific Northwest, Adirondack, Chalet, Appalachian, and Craftsman to French Country. Whether your style is elegant, rustic or contemporary, your design possibilities are infinite.

Some people feel that many of the solid-log homes built today are more frontier style, rather bland, and free of artistic details other than the log and stone materials used on them.

We are proud to offer our homeowners a building system that is eco-friendly, cost-effective, low maintenance, comfortable, and beautiful. Call us today to learn more about the benefits of our innovative system or log on to http://www.wisconsinloghomes.com/.

To view a photo gallery of our Thermal-Log Homes, click here.

Luxury Log Home Services - Wisconsin Log Homes

What are Luxury Services?
Written By: Dave Janczak (founder/owner Wisconsin Log Homes)

Building our first log home over 39 years ago, Kathy and I learned first-hand that the quality of your experience is just as important as the quality of your home.

In fact, we founded Wisconsin Log Homes in 1976 with an idea to offer a complete package and complete services. “Putting it all together” is our specialty. And making your design and building experience efficient and enjoyable is our priority.

Having been customers many times ourselves, we understand that it takes more than just great products and services to please customers; it takes great people and great relationships. When you decide that Wisconsin Log Homes is the right fit for you, you’ll be surrounded with friendly, knowledgeable, and trustworthy people who are here to meet your personalized needs and guide you through the entire process. And naturally, they’ll help you create wonderful memories along the way.

From our saw mill to our design artists and craftsman, our team will make sure all the details are addressed. Here are some of the people who will surround you…


Personal Home Consultant:
From your first contact with Wisconsin Log Homes, your personal home consultant will provide honest answers, guidance, support and the assistance you need. They are not here to “sell” you a home…they are here to guide you in a direction that’s right for you. Your home consultant will be your primary contact and resource throughout the process. Clients tell us how their relationship with our consultants often grows into lifelong friendships, which is the ultimate compliment.

In fact, just yesterday I received a letter from the Arbours’ saying the following about their consultant –
“Over the last year and a half or so I had the pleasure of getting to know our home consultant, Clay Veldt. Clay has been an invaluable resource to us. Clay was always available to us and always had answers to our many questions. He was very knowledgeable not only about the Wisconsin Log Homes product, but also about log homes in general, as well as the industry. Throughout this process Clay became not only our consultant, but also our friend. I think that speaks volumes for Clay and his level of service. I not only relied on Clay for answers to my questions, but looked forward to our conversations just because I enjoyed talking with him. My husband and I even enjoyed him as our dinner guest when he was here for a log home show. It is my belief that people tend to be very quick to complain when they feel that customer service has been less than what they expected, but not so quick to let management know when just the opposite occurs and someone like Clay goes way above what is expected.”


Architectural Designers:
Our designers are noted as the best in the industry. For starters their designs are brilliant; however they are most respected for their consideration of individual lifestyle requirements, their attention to detail, and their ability to really listen to your needs and visions. They will work with you and your home consultant to incorporate all your ideas and needs into the plan of your dreams, and give you helpful advice and input based on their knowledge and experience. Your visions will always be respected when working with our team.



Project Managers & Builders:
Finding a builder you trust to construct your home with attention to quality and detail is an important step in building a custom wood home. You don’t have to worry about finding a builder you trust when working with Wisconsin Log Homes, as we have our own project manager and National Builder Network filled with qualified contractors throughout the world. If you already have a builder in mind, we’ll help you qualify them.


Interior Designers:
Imagine working with an interior designer who sets aside all egos and truly listens to your desires and helps you achieve the style you envision, not the style she or he prefers. Imagine the comfort and reassurance you’ll receive with personalized assistance throughout the entire design and build process. Working with one of the top interior designers in the industry, you’ll get expert guidance with room arrangement, furniture selection, lighting, rugs, accessories, cabinetry, paint and stain to achieve your specific design style.

Custom Work Shop:
As some of you may already know, my passion aside from log homes is designing and building mantels, furniture, and tables. Because so many of our clients come to us for unique rustic pieces, we decided to offer our homeowners custom crafted doors, mantels, trusses, stairs, railings, unique trim, furniture, lighting, cabinets, hardware, tables, bar tops, root flared logs, hand-scraped woods, carvings, taxidermy, antler artwork and paintings.

We are proud to offer these services to you and hope you’ll give us the opportunity to prove our decades of knowledge, experience, innovation and dedication in your custom wood home. As always, please call or e-mail with any questions, or log on to www.wisconsinloghomes.com.

Turn-Key Pricing - Wisconsin Log Homes

Staying within your determined budget throughout the entire home building process is not only important to you and your banker, but it’s also a priority for the team at Wisconsin Log Homes.

Having a team of experienced professionals you can trust to guide you from beginning to end is the key to successfully building your dream home. Working with a reputable, honest company who will provide you with accurate insight right from the start will make all the difference in your experience and will eliminate any disappointing surprises along the way.

Since 1976, Wisconsin Log Homes overall focus has been to make the entire building process smooth and enjoyable for each and every customer, which is why we implemented a complete design and build approach. By having our design and consulting experts work hand-in-hand with you, the customer, we’re able to successfully confirm that each modification is tracked electronically and that our homeowners are frequently informed of all structural or additional design and engineering changes and costs throughout the design and build process.

Our team prides itself in being the best in the log home industry for all the right reasons. From day one, our home consultants and designers are trained to give truthful cost ranges based on recently completed projects of comparable size and complexity; we will never exaggerate the truth or jeopardize our reputation just to make a sale. As the customer, you will know exactly what to expect before construction begins. It’s our job to keep you safe and satisfied.

Having been a customer several times before myself, I understand how important it is to know what to expect before you even get started on your home design. To help prepare and educate you on the many factors that can influence your plan’s turn-key cost before you begin designing your home, Wisconsin Log Homes and I have created a guide to help you understand how every aspect of your home – from your site to the level of finishes – will affect its turn-key cost. View this guide on our website.

It is so important to us that you know exactly what to expect before construction begins so there are absolutely no unexpected costs or surprises along the way. We hope you find this information to be helpful and informative. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any additional questions.

Wisconsin Log Homes Testimonial

After a day of winding it up in the working world, it is pure comfort to walk into our home and the smell of pine logs. It is a calming sense and winds you down. The look of the logs are stunning as the eye takes in the linear lines softened by the curvature of the logs that have been planed so beautifully to catch the gentle reflection of light. The satiny, smooth feel of the logs invites the touch. Our little grandson loves to give the vertical log in the kitchen a "hug" and the smile it creates across his face is wonderful! The windows are elegantly designed, and let in so much light throughout the many dark and rainy days in the Pacific Northwest. Everyone who comes to our home comments on the beauty, design, and warm feeling they get when they visit.

Our home consultant at Wisconsin Log Homes, Steve Lindstrom, is considered not only a link to any questions, but also a friend. He helped design our home over the phone and internet and was always available for questions during the construction and beyond. We called him over a hundred times, and each time he was available with the information we needed. It is so satisfying to know we can depend on the quality and high standards Wisconsin Log Homes has adopted and proven over the years with the continued care of their customers.

After living in a home for ten years, many of us need to remodel or sell, and move on, but this is not the case with a Wisconsin Log Home. The beauty today is as strong as the day we moved in ten years ago which proves the quality and craftsmanship that has withstood the cold, wet Pacific Northwest weather that can ruin a home quickly. Our son, a civil engineer, helped us build the house and always jokes about the "big one" (earthquake), and our home. He says, "This home may tip over if a '9' comes, and that will only be from earth shifts below, but it is so solid it will never come apart!"

There is only one reason we would sell our Wisconsin Log Home, and that would be to build a smaller one for our retirement years!
Thank You Wisconsin Log Homes for the 10 years of living in the home of our dreams, and especially for the beauty it has maintained for a decade!

S&E Smith

Wisconsin Log Homes Customer Testimonial

After reviewing several log home brochures, looking at their various designs, reading about their company histories and construction methods, and reading many testimonials, we were most impressed with Wisconsin Log Homes and chose them to design our new home.

From the start, our Wisconsin Log Homes representative was extremely upbeat, helpful and solicitous, and was able to answer all of our questions promptly and convincingly. We were repeatedly assured of complete satisfaction with the building process under Wisconsin Log Homes’ direction, and felt very confident that we had made the right choice.

Our representative at Wisconsin Log Homes recommended a local builder who had worked for them for many years on several projects. We chose him after receiving a much higher bid from another builder. Our builder has been outstanding in every way. He is meticulous, honest, very knowledgeable, and has helped us in many instances to add little touches to enhance the house design. All of the subcontractors have been excellent also. In short, we have had no problems, but just very “smooth sailing” with the entire process. The building is moving along according to schedule even with the harsh winter weather conditions we have been faced with.

All in all we are extremely happy with our choice of Wisconsin Log Homes and would highly recommend them to anyone who is planning to build.

N&D Anderson

TO VIEW CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS OF THE ANDERSON'S HOME, CLICK HERE.

Wisconsin Log Homes Customer Testimonial

Joe and I built the featured home on your web page in Tower, MN this summer on Lake Vermilion. We have to tell you that the home has exceeded our expectations in many ways. All of the construction people that we have worked with, or people in the trades that have viewed the “bones” of the house have told us how well built it is. In addition, the architectural design is so pleasing to look at and the quality of the materials is so much better than we have experienced with our current home.

I also wanted to share with you how much I have enjoyed being able to go to your website to look at all of the pictures of other homes. I have gotten a lot of ideas from these pictures. This has really enhanced the interior finishing for me. I’m going to go to the pictures before I leave your website to check out something else today! If our interior finishing turns out as well as we hope, we’ll take pictures so that you can add more ideas.

We really got a kick out of seeing our house in the featured homes pages too.

Your staff at Wisconsin Log Homes has wonderful ideas and are very good at what they do. Thank you for helping us make our dream home come true.

J&M Wegleitner

Wisconsin Log Homes Testimonial

Originally we had planned to build a timber frame home. We had gone as far as having a timber frame home designed. However, after seeing a picture of a Wisconsin Log Home that we really liked in a Log Home magazine, we decided to weigh the pros and cons of timber frame vs. Thermal-Log construction. We could achieve our top priorities of high energy efficiency and vaulted ceilings with massive beams with either timber frame or Wisconsin Log Homes construction techniques. We did cost estimates for building our home via timber frame and Wisconsin Log Homes and concluded that it would be less costly to build our home using Wisconsin Log Homes' package building system. We planned to use cedar siding for the exterior of the home. After receiving a sample of the custom made cedar siding from Wisconsin Log Homes, the decision was easy. The massive cedar siding is truly unique.

We were extremely pleased with Wisconsin Log Homes throughout the whole planning and building process. The process, from start to finish, went very smoothly. It started with Wisconsin Log Homes designers modifying the basic plan that we liked. The design team was very responsive to our requests and after numerous modifications, we had our plan. We received the cost estimate for the package in a timely manner which enabled us to make the decision to build our home. This started a well orchestrated process that was clearly spelled out in advance so that we knew what to expect at every step along the way.

Our home consultant at Wisconsin Log Homes was very helpful throughout the process including the design phase, the delivery of materials, and the building phase. He helped us find a quality builder and also helped to expedite the delivery of materials to meet the builder’s schedule. He interacted directly with our builder on questions during the building process.

We are very satisfied with our home and with Wisconsin Log Homes. The design of the home, the beautiful cedar siding, the massive beams with T&G vaulted ceilings turned our “Dream Home” into a reality.

T&S Ginter

Wisconsin Log Homes Testimonial

I want to let you know what a "fan" we are of Wisconsin Log Homes. When we started to think about building a log home I did an extensive amount of research on different log home manufacturers. While there are several and many of them very reputable, in the end it was very obvious to us as to whom we wanted to build our log home - Wisconsin Log Homes. In the selection process we did a lot of reading in log home magazines, looking at house plans, internet research, etc. etc. etc. We also visited several log home manufacturers headquarters/plants along with talking with people who owned log homes from many manufacturers.

In choosing Wisconsin Log Homes, one key feature that you offer that really caught our attention was your "Thermal-Log Building System". We also felt that you offered several great house plans that met our needs as far as starting to customize our home to make it unique and what we wanted as far as our home. When we visited your home office in Green Bay we were first of all very welcomed by your entire staff. While they were most helpful in discussing the many various options available to us in log homes, at no time did we feel "pressured" to buy. We could also see the outstanding workmanship that your craftsmen do in putting the log home package together. The follow up that we received after our visit was exceptional getting answers to all questions that we had. Also, since building our home there have been a couple of times when we had to contact your headquarters, and again we were well received and got what we needed as a result of our call.

Shortly after the completion of our home we had been asked by a Log Home magazine to do an article on our home which we did. In doing the interview it was very easy to talk about the quality of our home, the compliments that we had received from people who visited us telling us how much they enjoyed being in our home, and how much we love living in our log home - all this due to the "product" that you provided for our local builder to construct. We also received what we felt was a tremendous compliment from a person on your staff who had seen the main photograph from the article and ended up putting it on their screen saver because they liked it so much. To say that we are proud of our home and enjoy living in it is an understatement. We love the quality of construction, the traffic flow, the unique features such as the kitchen island, to the cabinets, to the outside looks including the saddle-notch design, the windows, etc. The bottom line is that when it comes to building a log home, Wisconsin Log Homes is the "Best of the Best". You are the right people, with the right product. Our congratulations to all your employees who do so much and go the extra mile to putting out the best product in the log home industry.

Sincerely,

J&B Thompson

Wisconsin Log Homes Testimonial

My wife has always had a dream of living in a log home out in the country and being able to be with our horses. Four years ago we bought almost 30 acres of land and since that time we had a road and bridge built to get into the property, and our barn was constructed for the horses while the pastures were fenced.
During this time we started looking for the right log home to build. We spent two years looking at many different log home companies. We visited sample show homes and even visited homes that were occupied by homeowners. We bought every log home magazine we could find, attended log home shows and searched the internet for log home companies. It was about 1 ½ years ago that we found Wisconsin Log Homes on the internet.
We talked to Ehren Graf, our representative with Wisconsin Log Homes and he walked us through the process. He was upfront with us about what this home would cost to build. As it turns out, he was right on the money. We started with an idea of the home we wanted to build with Ehren. We went through numerous revisions and finally decided on our home plan. Ehren was most helpful during this process and Wisconsin Log Homes’ planning department was superb in helping us design our dream home.
Construction started in March of this year and our home was completed in early November. Anytime we or our builder needed help or support, Ehren and Wisconsin Log Homes were there to provide what we needed. Things could not have gone more smoothly for us, and best of all, my wife and I are still married!!!
This is the third home we have built, and this construction went more smoothly than the other two. We could not be more pleased with the results of our new home. Our family and friends just rave about the quality of materials and the appearance of this home. Everyone assumes it is a traditionally built log home. They just cannot believe it was built like a traditional stick built home with logs applied on the outside and inside. That makes us feel great about our decision to build with Wisconsin Log Homes. Not only did we get the look of a true log home, but we get all the energy efficiency this type of construction affords.
It is great to finally be at home with our horses, dogs, and cats. My hunting trophies look right at home in this log home. Deer, elk, bear, and ducks adorn the walls and fireplaces. They look like they were meant to be there.
Thank you Ehren and Wisconsin Log Homes for making our dream come true.
Thanks again for everything.

Regards,

R&K Anderson

Wisconsin Log Homes Testimonial

Dear Wisconsin Log Homes,

We would like to say “Thank You” for a job well done. We love everything about our cabin, and know that we will have so many wonderful memories for us and our children for years to come.

We have always been very attracted to the natural look and feel of log homes. A friend of mine had recently purchased a full log cottage that had been built in the 1800’s. He just finished refurbishing the home, and it turned out beautifully. Our interest in log homes was rekindled. Around the same time, we had purchased our lakefront property in Door County. Our attention turned to finding someone to build our dream log home. That process led us to Wisconsin Log Homes.

Your Green Bay showroom was the first log home company we visited. In that first visit, we sat down with Thom, and he listened to our ideas attentively. He took our drawings, and turned them into a plan that fit our needs perfectly. Needless to say, we never made it to another showroom.

Once we had agreed to proceed with the project, things moved ahead very quickly and smoothly. At your recommendation, we chose WLH Builders to build our log home. His crew did a superb job. The home is as solid as a rock, and the details of the log work, both inside and out, are amazing. All our questions were answered and any concerns we had were always taken care of in a timely manner. We were amazed at how quickly and carefully our home was built. Ground breaking in November and finished by April, you can’t ask for anything better than that!!

Early in the process, we began working with your in house interior designer, Stephanie G. She was very receptive to our ideas, and worked very hard to help us find very unique pieces to decorate the inside of our cabin that suited our decorating style. She was most helpful and gave us the sense that we were always in control of how the home was going to look. Instead of “taking over” the project she was our guide, sharing her interior design skills with us so we got just the look we were after. She was awesome!

Thank you very much for making our log home dreams come true. We are 100% satisfied with every aspect of our new log home, and are confident that we will have many years of enjoyment to come. We would recommend Wisconsin Log Homes, and WLH Builders, to anyone. Thank you for a job well done, we love our home!

Sincerely,
The Hennigan Family

Wisconsin Log Homes Customer Tesimonial

After dreaming of owning a log home back in our home state of Wisconsin for the last 15 years, our dream was realized on November 20, 2008 when we received the keys to our new Wisconsin Log Home in Green Bay. It is more beautiful than we ever could have imagined.

The first day we walked into the office to meet with Ehren Graf we couldn’t have been more pleased with his suggestions on designing our home. Ehren responded to a ‘request for more information’ on your website and he was there to answer questions from that day on. Ehren took our ideas, added some of his own and we came up with our dream home. One thing that Ehren did that absolutely made our experience so enjoyable was to suggest Wisconsin Log Homes’ very own project manager, Mike Nenahlo, as our contractor. What a team! Ehren handed our designs off to Mike and away we went. Our goal was to be in our new home by Christmas of 2008. The ground-breaking was in mid-July and by November 20th we had the keys and were able to have Thanksgiving in our new home! Mike’s suggestions on changes along the way were always right on. There is no way you’d ever find a more detail-oriented contractor. After we moved in, Mike checked in several times a week to make sure the little ‘fixes’ and ‘finishes’ were completed to our satisfaction. Even after two months, Mike and Ehren both check in to make sure we are satisfied and pleased with our new home. Thanks Mike and Ehren for all your help. Add in the rest of the team, Stephanie, Patty, Dave and all the builders and you have an awesome team that makes the process of building a home, especially in these economic times, an enjoyable adventure.

To all of you that helped build our log home, we feel that not only have we moved back ‘home,’ but we’ve made some new friends along the way… please stop by anytime for a visit!

L&D Goerz

Ways To Save Money When Building A Home by David Janczak (founder/owner Wisconsin Log Homes)

As we all know, building a new home can get expensive if you are unaware of ways to keep your costs down. First-time home buyers, along with high-end luxury home buyers, all want to know how they can get the most home for their money.

To educate our customers about the many cost-effective options available to them when designing and building their dream home, the Wisconsin Log Homes team came up with a report, 52 Ways to Save Money.

The first 10 ways to save money are as follows. Click Here to view our complete report.

Select a reputable company. A respectable company will help you design a home within your budget, and suggest money-saving design ideas and construction techniques that can save you money.

Watch the budget. Determine how much you can spend and stick to that figure. Be honest and upfront about the bottom line. Tell your Home Consultant how much you can afford before plans are drawn, and agree on important design issues.

Ask for feedback. Ask about the pros and cons of different elements of your design and how each will affect your budget.

Educate yourself. The more you know about the building process, the easier it is to control the bottom line.

Compare apples to apples. Get everything in writing and be sure it is the same quality and quantity of materials and services when making a comparison between companies. Saving $4,000 on a home package may look good on the bottom line, but not when you find its missing $6,000 worth of materials.

Build only what you need. Analyze your family’s needs and living patterns and how they translate into physical space. Sometimes restraint is essential if your dream is to become an affordable reality, but be sure your scaled-down plan meets your basic needs.

Shop for an affordable site. Developed land is easier to build on and more expensive. Try to keep the ratio of land to house 1 to 4 or more.
A small site saves on land and landscaping costs. You can also save on future landscaping costs if naturally occurring trees and bushes are left in place.

Cooperate with your site. It will cost less to fit your home design to your site than try to find a site to fit your home design.

Walkout basements can add extra living space at very little cost. A lot with a slight grade may allow for a walkout basement. Plan for a 9-foot ceiling so that pipes, wires and air ducts can be hidden when the space is finished.

Click Here for more ways to save when building a new home.

Message Centers by Wisconsin Log Homes

How many times have you came home and dumped your keys, mail and cell phone on the nearest horizontal surface only to forget where you placed them or neglected to charge your electronics? In today’s hectic modern age, not only do we have less time, but we possess a large amount of keys, bags and electronic devices with often no place to stow them.

Designing a specific space for these items is common today among new homeowners. An organized home runs more smoothly, and is easier to maintain. “Message centers,” as they are commonly called, can be efficiently planned near garage entries or in kitchens.

First, think about what you own and use now, and what you anticipate your needs to be in the future. Cell phones, Pagers, music players and laptops all need places to be stored and charged. Electrical placement is crucial here so plan ahead and always add a few more outlets than you think you need. Remember to spread them out and hide a few so you don’t have a mass of unsightly outlets. You can conceal them in an upper cabinet, a drawer, or even into a roll top desk.

Add a place for all your keys; keep a drawer for your briefcase, purse and laptop; build in recipe or periodical drawers or shelves; plan for a mail slot for every occupant as well as junk, incoming and outgoing mail; conceal a paper shredder, trash and small recycle container; tuck a stool under a slide out tray for making grocery lists or addressing envelopes; wrap a pin-up cork board in rustic textured fabric, or criss-cross ribbons and never use a single pin - the sky is the limit here, be creative! Don’t forget lighting - you should always have task, general and accent lighting. An overhead light, under cabinet light and a small accent lamp or wall sconce will do the trick.

So how can you make this space even more unique and personalized? Let your imagination run wild! If your home has a nostalgic flavor, recycle an old hutch or antique chest of drawers. Bring in cabinets, and use rustic, distressed woods (which also help with wear and tear). Add style and texture with aged finishes and painted looks, tile and tin wall appliqués, baskets, boxes, and other vessels. Use old railroad spikes for key holders, bin pulls on drawers, and you can even paint the faces of white cabinets with chalkboard paint and write on them.

Try to plan the most compact, functional space you can, and you can be sure this will be one of the most used and valued spaces in your home.

Go to wisconsinloghomes.com or e-mail our resident interior designer, Stephanie, at info@wisconsinloghomes.com for more information.

Color Your Home by Wisconsin Log Homes, Inc

There are few elements in our environment that have as much affect on the human mind and spirit as color does. Color is a powerful force that can be inspired by nature and other environmental origins, or can be completely contrived, creating unusual presentations that bewilder the mind and senses.

Designing a rustic home that typically has a predisposition to include lots of nature’s neutral textures and colors can sometimes be considered a challenge to decorate around. The teeter totter decisions of “should I color, or should I not” is not unusual, but with a little understanding of how to determine your ideal color palette by grasping the basic concepts of color, you can develop harmony and balance in your home. Or, communicate to the pros, like your interior designer, so that together you can create your ultimate personalized space without regrets.

In a wood home, the overall architectural style, amount and type of wood, as well as other natural materials like stone, tile and even mortar will set the basic framework of your palette. Sometimes demographics or local covenants might play a role in the basic backdrop. Stain colors and stone choices can be manipulated to look darker or lighter, or even to mimic another material.

Before diving in and buying red towels or painting your exercise room gray, close your eyes and think of your personality and which colors you love. If you can’t pick some favorites, peek into your closet and look in the mirror. You might be surprised that what looks good on you will usually look good around, above and below you. Don’t panic if you see all white, beige, gray, black or brown. These are great “non-colors” that have a profound effect on scale, proportion and can be very restful and sophisticated when layered in various textures and intensities.

Homeowners often decorate without color simply because they don’t understand it, and therefore fear it. They have been told that neutral is safe, or clean, or that by keeping things neutral they will maintain their resale value and not look dated. While some of this is true, there are a few perspectives that you need to know before making dramatic or expensive color commitments. Will you be living in this home forever? If so, do what you like - this home is all about you and every square foot should have your family’s mark all over it. Definitely building “up” and planning to sell? Incorporate color into things that are not expensive or difficult to change. Painted accent walls, area rugs, furniture and accessories are easy ways to bring new colors into your home.

Today’s hybrid insulated log-wall building phenomenon has enabled homeowners to experiment with color and texture. Incorporating a variety of building materials, interior drywall/plaster, and a more “transitional” design approach makes these homes ideal for personalization.

Color has a profound effect on behavior and mood. Some colors stimulate and energize, while others create a restful, serene feel. Some colors are predominately construed as being cold or warm, while others feel whimsical and buoyant. Often one color, in various shades, tints, tones and values can have any of these characteristics. For example, a vibrant yellow is warm and energizing; while a soft, pale yellow-white can feel cool and airy. Going on a diet? Don’t paint the kitchen yellow and red! Red is an appetite stimulant, and yellow is the color fastest to incite an argument either with yourself or others. Designing a nursery? Again, bright yellow alert! It’s proven that babies cry more in yellow rooms than in any other color. Soft greens and blues are the new baby “neutrals” and are much more soothing.

Calm spaces equal calm minds. You can achieve this by creating a monochromatic look by layering the same color throughout the room in various shades and textures. If you get bored with certain looks fast and love to change every few years, design with neutrals and rotate accessories, a single painted wall, or artwork. Always add black in every neutral space to anchor and accent the neutral tones. Ideas to bring in black include lamps, frames, fabrics, rugs or accessories like candleholders and vessels.

Go to wisconsinloghomes.com or e-mail our resident interior designer, Stephanie, at sgauthier@wislog.com.

Tips for Fabulous Foyers by Wisconsin Log Homes

Like a window to your soul, the style of your foyer says a lot about you. Whether it’s spacious and grand, or a quaint little passage, the foyer is an integral component of every home.

Interestingly enough, the foyer is often an afterthought, sandwiched between public and private areas of the home, or a vast oasis of wood with an oversized stairway ominously huddled within.

Careful consideration will help increase your awareness of this space so it’s designed to fit your lifestyle. Ask yourself, “Who is going to use this space? The family, occasional holiday guests or do you love to entertain?” You may find more satisfaction in a sensible plan with an unexpected twist. Think outside of the box by incorporating elements reflecting your own personality for a unique entrance focal point.

Here are a few design tips to consider while planning your foyer:

Flat Ceilings
With a flat ceiling of 10 feet high or less, invest in durable, yet luxurious flooring such as natural slate, hardwood, bamboo or natural clay tiles. Balance the weight of the floor with a deep wall color. Even a cream color can be used to build depth when balanced with timber accents and alternative ceiling covers like reclaimed tin and painted or aged tongue and groove planks.

Tall Vaulted Ceilings
Beginning high and going low is a great approach with vaulted, large foyers. Create drama by using structural and aesthetic collar ties, exposed beams, purlins, catwalks, etc. Contrast the ceiling with lighter wood tongue and groove, or integrate recycled plaster and paint a warm, light shade. Flooring should also be scaled appropriately with 18” tiles on the diagonal or maybe wide plank wood floors. If space permits, insert furniture like an armoire instead of the traditional bifold guest closet. Add pops of color in fixtures shades, art, accessories or rugs. These can easily be replaced as your taste changes.

Storage
The more storage the better! If there’s no space for a closet, use furniture, decorative coat hooks, or create a hidden closet under the stairs for seasonal or even outdoor gear.

Lighting
Layer lighting with overhead, wall, accent, floor lights, and even lamps. Directional lighting is important when used to highlight artwork and other notable works, perhaps even the staircase. Lighting creates texture without clutter, and by using dimmers, you get to control the atmosphere.

Accessorize
If it’s a cozy home with no distinct foyer, you can create your own by backing your sofa with a table or trunks and layer them with a few simple, yet substantial accessories that say welcome.

Don’t forget the ledges! “Plant shelves” are popular and interesting, but how about standing an antique tricycle, carving or sleigh on top? Handy accessories include large wood or stone bowls, stackable boxes, baskets or trunks for extra umbrellas, hats and gloves.


Plan the Space
Seek help in your architectural or interior designer. Talk with your home consultant and builder early on in the planning process so your visions and budget are addressed.
And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun and express your personality so your home will be inviting and purposeful.

Log on to wisconsinloghomes.com for more information about designing and building a hybrid log or timber home.

Personalize Your Place by Wisconsin Log Homes

Personalizing your home to make it uniquely yours can be one of the most fulfilling aspects of the home building process. For months, or maybe even years, you have been dreaming and planning your home to perfection. While perusing the internet, magazines and model homes, you may have taken note of specific spaces that curiously pushed the boundaries between architecture and personal style.

This unique progression of personal interior design has evolved from both a need of practical design and the unbridled opportunity to make each space individualized. As the trend towards downsizing and loading homes with much-desired amenities becomes more standard, you may be curious how to best utilize all the nooks and crannies of your home to their fullest potential.

Here are some places to start with when outfitting these specialty spaces:

Start with the underside of any open staircase. This is a great space for furniture that doubles as a welcome center or even a writing desk area. Bookcases, cabinetry and seating niches are all great ways to maximize the function and wow factor here.

The loft is that magical place that many homeowners just can’t live without. Whether it is used for an office, den, sleeping quarters, entertainment area or just a little corner to relax in, plan this space to how you will maximize its use per square foot. This can be a private or public space, and even the smallest loft can be transformed into the ultimate retreat.

If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, this is the perfect place to make each inch count. Custom cabinet design ideas are limitless and should include work-stations that meet your day-to day cooking needs. Baking and indoor grilling stations are very popular, as are mini-offices and electronic charging and message centers.

Make a smaller open space live larger with less. A cabinet on the end of an island run can double as an entertainment area, eliminating today’s hot question, “Where do we put the TV?” A banquette can transform a standard eat-in kitchen to a casual yet intimate dining space that’s chock full of storage.

Love that nostalgic feel? Add panache by bringing in your favorite antiques and reproductions to create a space that’s reminiscent of a bygone-era, but still works for today’s active lifestyles.

Even the tiniest half-bath can have a luxurious flavor with unique vanities, mixing materials and decorating schemes. Forego traditional cabinetry with recycled furniture or design your own, and integrate a unique washbasin into the top.


If designing these spaces seems like an overwhelming task, or you don’t know how to best narrow down your choices, enlist some professional help. Aside from developing your ideas, they can simplify the process and the myriad of materials and choices on the market today.

To learn more about personalizing your home, go to Wisconsin Log Homes website or e-mail our resident interior designer, Stephanie, at info@wisconsinloghomes.com .

Kitchen Know-How by Wisconsin Log Homes

Designing your kitchen to accommodate your lifestyle will result in an efficient kitchen that makes entertaining and multi-tasking easy. Here are a few things to consider when planning the room where great memories and recipes will be prepared…

Multiple Workstations
A kitchen can be broken down into several zones: baking, cooking, serving, casual or formal dining, wet bar, storage and clean-up. If you like to entertain, wide aisles and dual sinks allow for more than one cook as well as banquet-style serving. Close proximity to both the dining and great room means the cook can enjoy the company of family and guests. Remember, your kitchen should be equally comfortable whether you’re entertaining large groups, or dining solo.


Tasteful Tops
Varied heights, colors and textures of counter tops adds dimension to your kitchen and will help separate work and serving areas. In a recent project, the homeowner chose natural stone slabs, deliberately selected based on its location and size so the several large red streaks would be visible - softly suggesting an accent color that is seen in varying strengths throughout the home. A hand rubbed bar top finish on the wood surfaces emphasizes the craftsmanship and durability that wood can offer in the kitchen when properly installed and finished.


Cabinets & Storage
Selecting the right cabinetry ranks right up there with choosing fine furniture. Look for solid, customizable brands, and flawless finishes. Even the most rustic cabinets can still have a sense of sophistication with a raised panel design or deep, warm finish. Wisconsin Log Homes’ in-house cabinetry design services allow clients to view both floor plan drawings as well as three-dimensional colored renderings to virtually understand what their cabinets will look like before it’s too late.

Be sure to count and measure all your well loved and regularly used countertop appliances so their storage needs can be incorporated into the design. Not only will they end up having their own space, but you can design extra outlets in all the right places so they can be used with ease. True happiness often lies in hidden details such as spice racks, tray dividers and roll-out drawers.

Kitchen Colors
Ever wonder why fast-food restaurants are often brightly colored and cold? They want you to come hungry and move out fast. Color theory plays a strong role in designing a pleasing kitchen. Warm, neutral colors keep the walls soothing and accent colors can be found in counter tops, lighting and accent walls in adjacent rooms.

To learn more about designing and decorating kitchens or other areas of your home, log on to Wisconsin Log Homes website or e-mail our resident Interior Deisgner, Stephanie, at info@wisconsinloghomes.com.

Outdoor Living Spaces by Wisconsin Log Homes

Increasingly popular, outdoor living spaces can offer additional usable exterior square footage, protection from the heat, cold and precipitation, and even help manage heating and cooling on the interior of your home. And of course, they are a natural fit for rustic homes, typically blending the architecture of the home with natural elements and the topography of the lot.

The choices available today can seem overwhelming, however, by narrowing them down and really designing these spaces to tailor your needs and location will result in spaces that are individualized and efficient.

While in the design phase of your home, consider whether these spaces will be incorporated during the build, or at a later date. Share your ideas with your designer, builder, landscaper and electrician, etc. Many of these spaces are developed over a period of time, but by “roughing in” water, electricity and covered and/or roofed areas early, you can save time and money over the long haul and stay on the designed plan.

So how do you know what’s right for your home? Think budget, demographics and your got-to-have wish lists. Many outdoor living spaces combine various elements together, and may be both public and private spaces, much like the interior of your home. Consider your favorite vacation spots and family get-together memories, and for sure you will end up with a space that’s true to your lifestyle. A space that looks good that you don’t use is really just a waste of money, so take some time here and think.

Decks:
Decks are typically the least expensive way to extend your outdoor living spaces. They can be made of wood, vinyl, and the current trend, composite decking. Composite decking often contains a 50/50 balance of recycled wood products and synthetic materials and does not require re-staining and is slip resistant.

Can’t live without wood? Pressure-treated lumber is the least expensive and can be stained nearly any color. Other popular wood choices include cedar, redwood and sometimes cypress.

On decks, deep overhangs can provide some shade, and also assist with passive solar gain/loss on interior rooms. Multi levels, built-in seating and planters are all excellent ways to build some architecture into these flat uncovered spaces and designate areas for relaxing, cooking and dining. Enter the deck through both public and private rooms via French or sliding glass doors as well as from the yard beyond.

Patios:
These hardscape areas are often floored with stamped, colored and textured concrete, pavers, brick, natural stone and even mulch and pea gravel. They can be married to retaining walls, water features like fountains and small ponds, fireplaces and pits. Hedges, trees and potted plants make excellent natural dividers, and multi levels that flow with the grade of your lot are the epitome of natural landscaping. Landscape lighting is crucial here, adding drama and ambiance, as well as a safe guided path over uneven surfaces.

Porches:
Who can resist the romance of relaxing on a covered porch? This high priority must-have is essentially a covered deck or balcony. They act as effective sun, wind and precipitation barriers depending on factors such as sun orientation, adjacent open fields or water versus treed areas. In cooler climates, a west and south facing porch will warm in the winter months, but may be too hot in the summer ones. In warmer climates, a north-facing porch has a cooling effect on its occupants.

Three Season Rooms:
These rooms are essentially part of the home and are completely covered with windows and/or screens. These spaces are so versatile and can be used for cooking, dining, relaxing, or even sleeping. They provide insect and animal protection and increased privacy. Keep in mind that those welcoming wide windows can seem like a black abyss at night, so also consider flexible window coverings like shades or blinds in natural, weather resistant materials. Add a ceiling fan for air circulation and don’t forget lighting.

Gazebos, Pergolas and Loggias.
These covered and semi-covered spaces add architecture and delineate a specific task. A loggia is a semi-covered passage way between one space and another. They are usually framed out in wood or metal, and lush greenery and florals make the stroll a true experience. A wooden pergola offers filtered shade and the ceiling slats can be angled to either maximize or minimize morning or afternoon sun. Plan for when you will use the space the most. Gazebos can be free-standing or attached via loggia or directly to the house. These are excellent areas for popular outdoor kitchens and spas.

Outdoor Kitchens:
Cooking and dining al fresco is hot-hot-hot today! Whether it be a full working kitchen with cook tops, coolers, grills and sinks to simple grilling and prep stations, outdoor kitchens can add a lot of value and versatility to your home. Fantastic for entertaining, they keep traffic and people out of the home in a pleasing environment. Design a public half bath accessible from this space and the backyard barbecue or reception is literally self-serving.

Furnishings, greenery, sound and ambiance should not be neglected here. Without these, your space may feel cold, unwelcoming, and even uncomfortable.

Furnishings:
Keep it comfortable and practical. Outdoor fabrics that are fade and weather resistant are ideal for covered or semi-covered areas. This is a great way to add color and softness to otherwise hard surfaces. Don’t forget occasional and coffee tables in wood or iron. A watertight trunk or storage bench-type seating can house warm blankets for chilly nights or a good book or two. Keep in mind that lighter weight umbrellas, tables and chairs can get caught up in the wind and blow into the side of your home or get damaged. Sling back chairs and loungers work great on uncovered spaces, dry quickly and have no cushions to store and set up. Wood furniture is a viable choice, but may need to be re-stained or painted from time to time. Place furniture carefully, making sure there are ample walkways and clearance to doors and stairs.

Greenery:
Plant life, whether live or faux is the perfect outdoor accessory. Urns, planters and rock gardens can set the style of the space, and act as dividers. Carefully planned plant life like citronella grass, basil, tansy and black cohosh can effectively manage pests while adding fresh oxygen and life to your outdoor spaces. A potted herb garden is a great conversation piece, and if near the kitchen can be quite handy.

Sound and Power:
Don’t forget the speakers! Exterior sound systems play an important role in the whole outdoor living lifestyle. They carry the experience away from the main home, and can set either a romantic or party mode. Add outdoor electrical outlets to plug in outdoor appliances, portable outdoor lamps, and even your laptop computer. Take the home office outdoors for the day and really create a fresh outlook on working at home.

Ambiance:
Ah, the crackle of the fire or a candlelit path to the lake…these are the heart of outdoor living spaces. Whether your style calls for a fireplace, fire pit, portable chiminea, or all three, a warm fire just feels like home. Fire offers sound, heat, color, drama, fragrance and light to outdoor spaces. Plant-life, candles, even lanterns and torches provide scents and soothing sounds. Tea-light chandeliers and string lights add a festive or romantic flair. Outdoor rugs create mini rooms and fabric panels in warmer climates whisper softly to linger longer. Without these added touches, an outdoor living space seems impersonal.

Have questions regarding your outdoor living space or other log and timber home design needs? Log on to Wisconsin Log Homes website or e-mail our resident interior designer, Stephanie, at sgauthier@wislog.com.

How an Interior Designer Can Help by Wisconsin Log Homes

Designing and building a custom hybrid home opens the door to many design possibilities that other rustic building styles do not always offer. With so many choices available, it is sometimes overwhelming for homeowners to make comfortable decisions and stay on top of the building process. One of the services that Wisconsin Log Homes offers is in-house interior design services and products, wrapping up the ultimate design & build experience.

At Wisconsin Log Homes, working with an interior designer does not stop inside the home. Working with each client from the preliminary planning stage to completion, we are able to assist with exterior finish selections like stain, window cladding, hardware and roof colors.

In addition to assisting with coordinating package components, Wisconsin Log Homes also designs a furniture layout customized for each home plan so clients can get a better sense of proportion to their home plan on paper, and to make sure each room will live up to its expectations before the home is built.

Important facets of deliberate space planning include furniture and lighting placement (including must-have floor and mantel outlets), walkways around furniture, islands and posts, and even where to place treasured pieces that many homeowners plan to incorporate from their existing home.

Beyond taking space planning to the next level, Wisconsin Log Homes has access to a vast array of interior goods like furniture, cabinetry, decorative lighting and accessories.
An extensive resource library, both from catalog and online sources make finding that unique look almost effortless on the homeowner’s end. And if a truly custom piece cannot be found, or is requested, it can often be made right along side the new home.

Complete consultative services include full-circle interior design assistance with paint and finish colors, flooring, cabinetry, masonry selection, doors, and even help on move-in day.

Homeowners are encouraged to continue their design process even after they move in. As the needs of you and your home change, designs in good taste are a continual evolution of who you are. Homeowners coming back to Wisconsin Log Homes to pursue their ongoing design plans is a great way for us to stay connected with our clients, letting them know that we care about their comfort level and satisfaction for as long as they own their home.

For Wisconsin Log Homes Interior Design Guide, Click Here.

Geothermal Systems by David Janczak (Founder/Owner of Wisconsin Log Homes, Inc)

Since Wisconsin Log Homes’ focus has always been on energy-efficiency, it’s very important to us that each of our homes are heated and cooled in the most efficient, economical way possible. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal systems are “the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today.” Geothermal is 3 – 5 times as efficient as the most efficient fossil fuel furnace.

Extremely high levels of efficiency are possible because a geothermal heat pump only uses electricity to move heat, not produce it. A geothermal system supplies 4-5 kilowatts of heat for every kilowatt of electricity used. 3-4 of these kilowatts of heat come directly from the earth, meaning that they are naturally clean, renewable, and best of all - free.

Geothermal heat pumps also take advantage of the mild ground temperature for high efficiency cooling. The earth has the ability to absorb and store heat energy. To use that stored energy, heat is extracted from the earth through a liquid medium (either water or anti-freeze solution) and is pumped to the heat pump heat exchanger, where the heat is used to heat your home. In summer, the process is reversed and indoor heat is extracted from your home and transferred to the earth through the liquid. Most systems also include a hot water generator, which diverts a portion of the supplied heat to the domestic water heater. This provides a substantial portion of a family’s hot water needs at a very low cost. So essentially, geothermal systems transfer heat from your home to the earth in the cooling mode, and from the earth to your home in the heating mode.

A geothermal system installed in an already efficient Wisconsin Log Home will substantially reduce heating and cooling costs for years to come. So even though you are spending a little more upfront, you’ll be saving money before you know it. Payback for most geothermal systems run about three to five years. Some states also offer tax credits for installing this system, check with your local utility company for details.

For more information about geothermal, go to http://www.geoexchange.org/, or contact Wisconsin Log Homes today to talk with our independent geothermal specialist.

Log Homes in Harmony with Nature by Kathy Janczak (Co-founder/Owner of Wisconsin Log Homes, Inc)

We periodically hear concerns from people about the trees Wisconsin Log Homes uses and how we harvest our logs in harmony with nature. I’d like to share a few personal reasons why this subject is very dear to me and Dave. I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and learned to live with the land and nature in my early years. As a family, we tried to rely exclusively on gardening, farming and the land for most of our needs. Our heat was generated from the dead trees we cut on our land. We grew and canned all of our own vegetables and fruits. All of our milk products came from our dairy herd, and our meat was also home grown or from hunting and fishing.

Dave’s dad and grandfather owned a 1200-acre pine plantation in Wisconsin; early on he recognized trees as a crop – with a long growing cycle. He also learned the importance and responsibility of managing – planting, growing, and harvesting – a forest. Both of us have a deep appreciation for nature because it sustained our livelihood, and we’ve always taught our family to value and enjoy the earth’s natural resources.

Today, it’s important for everyone to know that Wisconsin Log Homes takes proper forest management very seriously. The log and timber suppliers we partner with follow conscientious harvesting and reforesting practices, ensuring a continuous supply of quality trees. Innovative, ecologically sound silviculture programs have been implemented to replant and maintain harvested areas, planting about three trees for every one harvested. The latest technologies in road building and harvesting are used to ensure that the environment is impacted minimally.
We believe that it is possible to live in harmony with nature by using our natural resources properly. You can be sure that by building a Wisconsin Log Home, you will be respecting and honoring the environment.

Costs Last Forever by David Janczak (Founder/Owner of Wisconsin Log Homes, Inc)

Like most of us, I learned at an early age that ‘you get what you pay for.’ I remember trying to save a few bucks on my first car; it sure looked good, but it spent most of its time in the mechanic shop getting repaired. After having it fixed and putting more and more money into it, I probably could have just bought a brand new car and not had all the headaches and repair costs.

It’s a given that most people will “shop” companies and talk about price ranges before choosing a log or timber home company. I encourage people to do this, but it’s very important to keep in mind that each company is very different in the products and services they provide. Actually, each company is very different, period.

A home is an investment. It’s something that will be with you for a lifetime to come, or something you’ll want to sell for profit in the future. So carefully evaluate what’s included in each company’s price rather than just looking at an inaccurate per square foot guesstimate.

Identify what’s most important to you before you start shopping. Is it price, quality, the type of services, reputation, workmanship, warranty, structural materials, the people, or a little bit of everything? Remember, the least expensive company is able to be the lowest-priced because they aren’t providing the same things as a higher-priced company. If a company comes in noticeably lower than others, you should find out why… what are they, or aren’t they, providing? Carefully evaluate everything the package price includes and determine if that company will be the best fit for your needs.

Wisconsin Log Homes is not the lowest-priced company in the industry… we’re not out of line with our prices, but we’re not cheap either. We can’t be. Each of our home plans are very custom and require a great deal of attention and creativity from our designers. Our products have always been of the highest quality and each log for your home is hand-peeled in our own state-of-the-art mill. Our Thermal-Log Building System benefits our customers and their homes in many different ways. We offer in-house construction and interior design & cabinetry services, a full-time customer service representative available for you or your builder at all times, a 25-year warranty, a complete package of structural materials, and a team of friendly experts that are as passionate about your home as you are.

The bottom line is that you truly get what you pay for - whether it’s cars or houses. As they say, “price happens one time, but cost lasts forever.”

Not every company is perfect for every person, so it’s your job to find a company that’s the right fit for you and your future home.

Finding a Log Home Builder You Trust by David Janczak (Founder/Owner of Wisconsin Log Homes, Inc)

The search for a qualified contractor should begin as soon as you have a building site and preliminary drawings, even if you don’t plan to break ground for several months. It may take time to find a contractor who suits your requirements, and once you find the right one, you’ll have to be worked into the contractor’s schedule. Those who are good and in-demand, and those in areas with a short building season, often schedule projects up to a year in advance.

Reputation, experience, references, crew size and the builder's willingness to provide excellent customer service are all important considerations in making your decision. Once you have several qualified names in hand, obtain references and interview each builder. Only ask for bids from the contractors you feel comfortable with. Remember, the bids will only be as good as the plans you submit. You should use the same drawings you submitted to get your building permit. Any changes to the plans should have been made by this time. Do your homework and make as many decisions as possible before you ask for bids. Give each contractor exactly the same information so you’ll be able to obtain a fair comparison, and be certain you ask for the same level of detail from each bidder.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is to base their decision on price alone. Even though builders are getting the same plans and information, they can build with varying degrees of quality and service. You should not only feel comfortable with the price, but with the quality of workmanship, organization, the schedule and contract, and the person in general. He/she will be your new business partner for the next few months. If you seek the same level of workmanship, organization, and can trust one another, the construction process will flow much smoother and you’ll be able to relax.

Since the 1970’s, Wisconsin Log Homes has understood the need for complete design and build services. Finding a qualified builder to construct their log or timber home has always been a big concern of our clients, and one we’ve addressed right from the start. Wisconsin Log Homes has its own building crews and National Builder Network full of qualified builders around the world who we work very closely with and trust to provide “rough up and log” and “turn-key” construction services for our customers.

Each of our clients are assisted with the construction of their home in one form or another during their experience with us. Some may decide to use our in-house construction services, while others want help qualifying or selecting a builder in their area. Whatever the client chooses to do, we stay involved throughout the design and build process to ensure high quality and satisfaction.

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