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Estonian Log houses and log cabins
Here are the questions and answers we are asked most frequently.
Since most of our wood comes from government auctions the wood we can use is no less than 80 years old (this is a rule) and as we have to use certain thickness of log which means it is slow grown. We use wintercut logs, store them in our storage and leave them to dry in air, so the logs inserted into walls are about 16-20% in moisture content. This way the wood dries in a natural way and there are noticeabley less cracks and twistings in the final wall. Yes sure, just make an appointement with our sales person. Yes, certainly, we can. Please see under services for more information. No, the house may be built very well, however we have no way of determing it. We generally do not like to play games where fingerpointing to eachother is the final solution. The logs are sorted accordingly to their lenghts. Although this sounds like an easy question, similar to cost per kilogram, the quality and amount of work included is subjective. What we try to do, is give an average as each log house is built specifically for that owner. With a log house, there are different ways to measure when it comes to square footage. As purchasers of existing log homes are in tune to living square meter - the amount of square meter you can utilize in a home. This is traditionally smaller than the square footage required to build - i.e. attics, areas less than 10cm of head height, storage areas, unfinished basements, areas above the stairs, cathedral areas, and storage rooms above garages, the building total heights etc. We compute square meter using outside dimensions of 1st floor and 2nd floor, areas such as great rooms - scaffolding is required to do ceiling work as well as set up and knock-down time. As builders, we have to consider construction of roof systems over areas less than 10cm, floor systems for storage areas, build access doors for attics, etc. We can either complete a Complete package home or do only the Log Part or Shell Construction:
We never include the costs for insulation, light fixtures or bath fixtures. This is due to the wide range of products available and their varying prices. We can provide an allowance, that is a basic budget, that can be under-spent with lower quality items or can be overrun with expensive top-quality items.* When comparing builders or manufacturers, you will find that some will include certain items that others will not. Extras can build up because some contractors will bid on the basics and most simple methods in order to have the lowest bid. We can almost guarantee that our bid will not be the lowest because we bid as if it were our own log home and we build as if we ourselves would liuke to live in there there. We want things done right. We don't want to present the cheapest materials and methods and then have our customers disappointed. Our clients realize the extra effort we make and when they see the completed project, they realize that they got more than they expected; never less. A building project has three variables:
If you set any two, the third is determined. For Example: Set cost at
30,000€, set size at 200 sq m; the quality is determined. Set quality at top
end, set size at 200 sq m; the cost is determined, and so forth. We have built with pilars, poured concrete and block. All work fine depending on the soil conditions and the installers. Log homes are cut to be exact, much like a modular home being moved onto a foundation. If the foundation is incorrect then it will affect the home. There are over 500 manufacturers of log homes, from hand-crafted systems to milled systems. For the most part, all manufacturer's systems are good to very good. What is more of a concern is who puts the system together. In general the manufacturers are like lumber suppliers; they supply the materials and someone else assembles and finishes the home. This is a personal preference. The hand-crafted system will typically be larger logs, 6 to 10 inches in diameter, and more craftsmanship with a more natural rustic log. They will be full wall lengths up to 7m with no butt joints and each log will be crafted to fit the log below it. A milled system will range from 5 to 7 inches in diameter. The logs are more uniform in shape and will have a method for joinery between the logs. This joinery can be flat on flat, multiple tongue and groove, Swedish cope, or rippled and spline systems. We preffere a hand-crafted system because of the more natural look. Log homes do shrink, but this should not be a concern. If constructed properly the builder will anticipate movement (which will happen in the first 3 years) and allow for it. It should never be a problem and almost unnoticeable to you - the owner. Manufacturers and good builders of log homes know this is going to happen. Experienced builders prepare for it. Shrinkage is not dangerous and should not be a concern if your builder and subcontractors are prepared. Including subcontractors- electrical, heating and plumbing. |
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