Frequently Asked Questions
- CAN I REALLY SAVE MONEY BY BUILDING THE KIT MYSELF?
With help you can save thousands of dollars by doing the work yourself. Actually, the whole family and/or your friends can pitch in and do whatever needs to be done! Jobs such as fabrication of log walls, interior finishing, painting, etc. can be done easily by yourself. Save even more money by being your own “General Contractor”. Do your own planning, purchasing (at contractor discounts!) and subcontract the jobs which may require a higher degree of specialization. Your authorized dealer will be pleased to provide you with information and technical assistance during your project. For those folks who would like the package erected for them we recommend contracting our dealer because of his knowledge and past experience in log home construction.
- WHAT CAUSES THE CHECKING LINES ON THE LOGS?
As a normal part of the curing (or seasoning) process, checking (splitting or cracking) occurs in the logs. This natural characteristic has no effect whatsoever in the authenticity of a solid log building.
- WHY DON'T YOU USE A HARDBOARD OR PLYWOOD SPLINE SYSTEM BETWEEN YOUR LOGS?
The spline grove in this type of log system encourages additional checking or splitting – having relieved the natural stress at the surface of the groove, the log wants to crack at the base of the groove. The groove itself is a rain gutter, carrying water into this crack. Rotting is promoted, and if there are freezing and thawing conditions, the crack is enlarged allowing more water to enter. The insulated tongue and groove system, that we use, insures protection to permanently seal out wind, water and dirt!
- WHY IS YOUR KIT LESS/MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ANOTHER COMPANY'S?
Kits of different manufacturers vary widely because no two kits have identical components included in the basic kit price. Since you cannot live in a kit, it is meaningless to compare kit prices. What is meaningful, is the comparative cost of complete homes. The Log Home Package allows you the maximum flexibility in selection of finish materials and great opportunity to increase overall insulation values.
- WHY DOESN'T THE KIT PROVIDE ALL THE MATERIALS I WILL NEED?
There are two basic reasons. The first is the cost savings to you in extra freight. If we purchase conventional building materials, you would have to pay additional freight from the plant to your location. This savings can be quite substantial. Secondly, Blue Ridge Log Homes wants to give you the maximum flexibility to customize your home. You may want cedar shakes or thermo pane windows while another customer may not. You may need to build your home on a slab, the next person may want a full basement. By shipping you only the basic “log” materials this allows you to have your own dream home at substantial savings.
- DO I NEED A SPECIAL FOUNDATION?
No. You can build a Log Home over concrete block, all weather wood or poured concrete foundation. You can also build on a treated wood post or pile foundation. Complete dimensions are shown in each set of blueprints. (Sill details are included).
- WHAT KIND OF HEAT CAN I USE?
Any kind you wish. Some folks heat with wood stoves backed up by electric heat, while others heat with forced hot air or oil fired furnaces. You can also heat with electric baseboard heat or even a fireplace. A Blue Ridge Log Home designed building can be heated with almost any combination of heating devices! Forced air heating and air conditioning ducts can easily run up through the interior partitions vented out along the baseboard on the second floor. Our homes can be built using electric, hot water, forced air or wood heat!
- HOW IS PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL WIRING INSTALLED IN A LOG HOME?
Because log homes use a conventional flooring system and studded interior partitions, plumbing and wiring are installed in the floor and interior partitions, as in a conventional frame building. On exterior log walls, wiring is installed in the logs and door facings or mortised into the logs.
Because innovations are continuously being developed we have made use of the latest “wireless” technology in the switch plates we used in our Model Home! These switch plates, because they contain computer chips instead of using electrical wiring, can be placed anywhere you might want them and are programable for multiple fixtures! They are available in many colors and switch combinations.
- CAN I SUPPLY MY OWN LOGS TO BE MILLED INTO MY BLUE RIDGE LOG HOME KIT?
Yes, providing your logs meet BRLH specifications! Our mill is available for custom milling.
- WHAT KIND OF LOG DO YOU USE AND WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?
Eastern white pine. We purchase our logs from sawmills in Virginia and mill them at our log mill in Greenville, VA.
- WHAT IS THE THICKNESS OF THE WALLS?
Our “D” shaped logs are 6” thick and have an R value of R7-8. Wood is one of the best natural insulators with more thermal mass than fiberglass!
- HOW ARE YOUR LOGS HELD TOGETHER?
They are held together with steel lag bolts, with open cell foam gasket plus a bead of caulk between each set of logs.
- CAN YOU BUILD A HOME USING A PLAN OTHER THAN BRLH'S?
Yes, we can normally make any plan work with our system, with some restrictions on wall angles. We can tell you quickly after we see your plans if we can use them or not.
- WHAT TYPE OF INSULATION IS IN YOUR ROOF SYSTEM?
There is 5-1/2” insulation, equivalent to R38. There is the T&G, then the felt paper, insulation, 1/2” of sheeting/plywood then either a metal or shingle roof system. The roof insulation is ISO insulation panel polystyrene.
- WHAT IS THE REQUIRED MAINTENACE ON A LOG HOME?
After the home is built we apply a product called Tim-Bore followed by Sikkens Exterior Stain. It is available in various colors. We also apply a product called Bug Juice at the same time. The house is checked after the first year, and depending on the overhangs that your house has and where it is located, a 2nd coat is applied, as needed. We recommend a 2nd coat during the first 3 years, then the home will probably be good for 5+ years. We have found Sikkens to be the very best quality of inside and outside stain and preserves the logs longer than less expensive brands. We have sources we can recommend for applying stain, if our log home builders need this service.
- WHAT WAYS DO YOU OFFER YOUR LOGS FOR SALE:
We sell our logs in 3 different manners. You can buy the log package by itself. You can buy our log package and get a dry in phase (under roof up to your choice of shingle or metal) estimate or we can give you a turn key price for your home, by one of our recommended builders.
- WHAT IS THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF YOUR LOGS?
Generally 15-20%. We buy our logs a year or so in advance and allow them to dry naturally on our lot. However, we do kiln dry if that type of drying is preferred or needed.
- DOES TURN KEY INCLUDE CLEARING THE LAND?
Our turn key and dry in prices include clearing where the house will be located and 25' of the surrounding area. We normally do at least 1 site visit to go over all of this. This will be handled by your builder. The driveway, well, septic, etc. are the responsibility of the customer.
- WHAT IF PLANS HAVE TO DRAWN UP?
We have an Architect Designer who does our plans for us and who can give you a quote for your plans, If your plans are new to our system and you are agreeable to letting us use them again in the future, this fee may be negotiable.
- WILL WE RUN INTO ANY PROBLEMS WITH BANKS FINANCING THE BUILDING OF A LOG HOME?
No. Log homes typically appraise higher than conventional stick frame homes and so banks are very open to financing them.
If you should have questions not addressed here,
please do not hesitate to call us at 540-337-0033 or email us at blueridgeloghomes@verizon.net.