Sub Jamb Openings for Windows & Doors

One of the innovations that we have created is the development of a steel t-bar system that gets used to vertically align the logs at all window and door openings. We router out all of the log ends that align with all of the openings, in our factory. By creating all of the required cuts during the manufacturing of the home in our shop, this allows for speedy and trouble free installations out on the construction job sites. The steel t-bars are factory pre-cut and are simply installed on site. By installing these steel inserts at all window and door openings they maintain the log walls to remain plumb. The other added benefit of this system is that because of the manner in which the logs are milled for the steel bars, they allow for any movement that might take place, such as any settlement that might happen over time.

Stain Preservation of Logs

The stains that have been created, researched and developed over the years have greatly advanced in the area of adhesion and durability. The waterboune latex stains that are on the market today are also more environmentally friendly and emit less volatile organic compounds. With latex stains applied to logs, it absorbs deep into the grains of the wood, it allows the wood to breathe plus it permits any moisture in the log to dissipate. Years ago the norm was to use oil based stains on the exterior of logs. The most common problem was that the oil finish was a surface topper that did not allow the logs to breathe which caused moisture to get trapped within the logs, causing the logs to darken to a black colour. The latex products that we use today, log homes will have the same appearance 50 to 100 years from the day the home was constructed. By following some easy cleaning procedures and reapplying a maintenance coat to the logs once every 5 to 7 years the logs will continue to look like new.

Engineered Log vs. Hand Hewn/Scribed Log Homes

The difference between engineered log homes and hand hewn/scribed log homes is as follows. With engineered logs homes, we rough saw the logs and allow them to air dry for approximately 15 months before the final milling takes place. This means that all of the logs are milled to the exact same dimensions and profile, complete with tongues and grooves. By following this procedure, the logs moisture content has drastically been reduced and most of the shrinkage has been completed. With the sealants that are used along with our compression spring thur bolt system, no future maintenance issues need to be addressed, plus there is no chinking in this system. With the hand hewn/scribed log homes, the trees are cut down, debarked, scribed and stacked one on top of another and spiked together. The lowering of the moisture content and shrinkage of the logs all takes place during the first couple of years after the home is built. All of the logs are stacked in all different dimensions and profiles and do not have any tongues or grooves to create a locking system. This method does not have a compression spring thur bolt system and maintenance is an annual event addressing the shrinkage and chinking which is required in this system.

Wilderness Conservation

The lumber that we use for our engineered milled logs comes from managed forests. Our suppliers contribute to reforestation which means that the lumber that we use on all of our log homes, that we construct, comes from suppliers that proactively address the environmental sustainabilty of the logging industry. Addressing wilderness conservation as well as supporting and maintaining our natural resources is of major interest and concern for us all, here at Muskoka Log Homes.

Energy Efficiency of Log Homes

One of the common concerns that most people have is the R- Factor and how energy efficient log homes can be. Typically with the structures that we build the log walls will be equivalent to conventional homes with an R-Factor of 20. The minimum thickness for log walls allowed for construction by the Ontario Building Code Standards is 6" (our product line consists of 6", 8" or 10"). One must remember that the logs because of their solid thermal mass provide a superior thermal resistance to temperature change, this must also be taken into consideration along with the R-Factor. Translated this means that during the winter months it takes less energy to heat a log home in comparison to a conventionally constructed insulated home, the same is also true for the summer months because of it requiring extremely long periods of time for the outside temperatures to affect the inside climate of the log home. Hence, it is very rare to see a log home which requires any air conditioning means.

After a hectic and busy week working in highly populated urban centres, what could be more pleasing and relaxing than spending your weekends and vacations in your very own log home nestled in the country or on a peaceful, serene lake. Better yet, living full time in the comfort of your beautiful and picturesque log home. The lifestyle of living in a log home can only be discribed as having a special warmth, coziness and ambiance that once experienced will be a feeling you will not want to let go of. One of the most common responses from people we build for is, "After living in a log home we could never move back to a conventional home". Over the next few blogs, we will be discussing the benefits of energy efficiency and environmentally friendly materials used in the construction of our log homes.

Pre-Drilled Logs for Electrical

One of the things that we do during the manufacturing stage of the log homes, which is done at our facility, is pre-drill all of the logs for all of the electrical rough-ins. During the design stage and prior to going to blueprints we consult with the client and determine all of the electrical requirements needed for the home. This includes the locations of all receptacles, coach lights, wall sconces, ceiling fixtures and switches. If requested, we can also pre-drill the logs for security systems. When faced with manufacturing a log building that will be used for commercial purposes, we also pre-drill the logs in our factory for all of the fire alarm system hookups. By doing all of this prep in an enclosed environment, this allows for a more problem free and efficient process. By doing so, we can better quality control the process and eliminate problems, which may occur, by trying to drill the logs while on a construction jobsite, which would not only delay and slow down the assembly of the logs but may create faults or mistakes.

Please visit our Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets company page.

Welcome to our first post!

Welcome to our company blog's debut post! As we state on our Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets website:

Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets Inc. is proud to be one of Canada’s most modern and advanced log home manufacturers on the market today. We pride ourselves on having the most precise milling and cutting machinery and techniques in the industry, which produces consistency in our product line and will provide the most exceptional energy efficient and structurally sound log homes. At Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets Inc. we use the most modern and innovative techniques in the assembly and construction of log homes which is setting the standard in the log home manufacturing industry.

If you are interested in retaining us to construct the log home of your dreams, please contact us via the site.

We look forward to your next visit to this blog.