FAQ

• A green building material — Trees are a renewable resource. On top of this waste is kept at a minimum during milling process, as manufacturers utilize all portions of the log. They use everything from bark and other sources made into mulch to wood scraps that become for raw material used in carvings and other home products.

• Delivered all at once — the homes can be sold as kits or “packages” with the bulk of building materials delivered at one time. This method reduces fuel costs and carbon emissions compared to traditional site building.

• Less waste — Pre-cut log home packages go up quickly and leave less waste on the job site than conventional construction. Walls are completed simply by stacking logs, which mean there is less energy consumed to craft the home and less man-made materials used in construction.

Where will my log home come from?

Our house logs are “born and raised” in the Rocky Mountain region. As a Yellowstone Log Home dealer, Ute Country Homes ships the logs from their mill in Idaho but rest assured, the quality, price, and availability of our log homes are unsurpassed.

Are log homes energy efficient?

Log Homes Are Energy Efficient…. The massiveness of the logs plays a vital role in conserving energy. Logs absorb heat energy during the day and radiate it at night, keeping occupants feeling comfortable while also using less energy over the life of the home. In fact, homes built with solid log walls are typically 2.5% to 15% more energy efficient than standard stick-frame construction, according to an NAHB study.

In addition to the benefits of solid timber construction, Ute Country Homes is an authorized dealer for Yellowstone Log Homes, a Log Homes Council member company that engineers their log wall joinery and roof systems to eliminate air infiltration and moisture, conserve energy and increase comfort. This engineered approach can continue with every product included in a log home package such as brand-name, double-paned windows and patio doors with low-e glass, proper venting and sub-flooring structures. When your log home is properly sealed, you can have a super energy efficient home.

Why should I chink my log home?

All wood naturally expands and contracts over the course of a year so there is always the possibility of air infiltration. Chinking, along with the required backing rod seals the air cavity at the log seam which not only prevents air infiltration it is an effective seal against moisture and insects. Too many log home owners have been told it was unnecessary to chink their home only to find out later that the quality, maintenance, comfort and energy efficiency of their home would have benefitted greatly from having been chinked. Therefore, every log home should definitely incorporate chinking and/or caulking in the budget.

What is the cost of constructing a log home?

The truth is… there is no precise answer. This is usually the first question asked for every type of construction and is essentially the hardest to answer. This question is comparable to going to the grocer and asking “how much is meat per pound today?” The cost of building a home using either conventional construction or log construction will depend on many factors including the quality of the finished materials you choose and the capability of your chosen builder.

There are many factors that will affect the construction cost of your home and they are closely tied to the scope of the project, the quality of materials, design details and the combination of specifications and economic conditions of the region where your home is being built.

The design of your home closely ties to the cost of construction. Dormers, irregular shapes and dramatic roof systems may add character and charm to the home but they also add to the cost. A perfectly rectangular log home is the most inexpensive to build, the design of your home does not have to be unusual or expensive to create a stylish upscale look. A design utilizing a walk-out basement and/or a loft will provide you with extra floor space at a lower cost than that of a larger main floor. Your budget will dictate your building limitations but you will be able to achieve a feeling of spaciousness and character within a small footprint in a well designed log home.

How much maintenance does a log home need?

The exterior of the home is constantly exposed to the weather. Therefore, the quality of the sealants and preservatives will determine the frequency of application. Using the best exterior products will protect against ultra-violet rays and provide extra water resistance to the logs and on average will only need to be reapplied about every three to six years. Once the interior is sealed, no further application should be required. The logs should be treated with a borate solution prior to staining to prevent insect infestation. With proper maintenance, your log home will long surpass the lifespan of the average stick framed home.

Why should I choose a log home over conventional construction?

Besides trees being a renewable resource, log homes are long lasting and weather well. There are log homes still in use in Europe routinely dating back more than 800 years. The log home industry has countless stories of log homes successfully weathering hurricanes such as Katrina and Rita; where giant trees crashed through roofs but the log walls withstood the weight and prevented more damage.

If you’re worried about mold, mildew or insect infestation, a log home offers clear advantages, just by visually inspecting the logs you’ll be able to see anything problematic whereas a conventional home’s sealed wall cavities can hide these problems causing far more damage before it’s detected.

Peace and quiet are also a plus thanks to the same thermal mass that provides the energy efficiency and the sound deadening effect of wood walls.