For decades customers have been scratching their heads trying to figure out what is included in all these log home packages! At Mountain Creations we try to make it very simple for the customer.
Every log home package includes different components and it can become quite confusing. Many times customers have asked us to compare apples to apples and quite frankly it can't be done. There are so many variables including the species of wood, the type of roof system, and even the design that can dictate exactly what you are getting for your money!
So here is a list of what we include and why:
Exterior Log Wall System- Our standard exterior log wall system is comprised of 6 x 6 Northern White Cedar (NWC) "D Style" Logs. Our 19 course log wall system comes complete with 3/8" hexlag bolts, Sikaflex caulking, Sure Seal Foam Gasket and Hardwood Dovetail Splines for proper construction of the log walls. Each customer has the option of the Corner Post or Butt & Pass Systems at no additional charge. Your log home package will aslo include Northern White Cedar Log Profile Siding to cover conventionally framed areas such as gable ends with large expanses of windows, 2nd Floor Gables & Dormers and the bandboard.
Second Floor System- Most of our designs feature a loft or second floor. In these designs we include Exposed Heavy Beam 4 x 8 Hemlock Joists and Carrier Beams for expanses less than 14'. You have your option of round rustic or square milled support posts where needed in your design. Our package even includes the 2 x 6 NWC Tongue & Groove Decking. Many customers will sand and finish this as their flooring. It is both an economical and beautiful option.
Roof System- All of our standard designs include an Exposed Heavy Timber Roof System comprised of 4"x8" Hemlock Rafters, 4"x6" Hemlock Collar Ties, Exposed Heavy Timber Posts (Round or Square), 1"x4" NWC Tongue & Groove Roof Decking, and 8" Insulation Panels that give you a roof rating of R35+. In addition, we include all of the NWC Tongue & Groove to cover the ceilings of all conventionally framed areas as well.
Porch Roof System- In designs that feature a porch roof we include the same Exposed Heavy Timber Roof System, complete with 2"x6" Tongue & Groove, and 5/4" NWC Porch Floor Decking.
Interior Wall System- Our log home pacakge comes complete with all of the 1"x4" NWC Tongue & Groove you need for the interior of gables & dormers, interior partition walls, and closets. For customer interested in drywall we are more than happy to accomodate this request and remove the tongue & groove from the package.
In addition to all of these components, we include Free Custom Design with CADD Blueprints, Sikkens Cetol 1 Stain and Technical Assistance with each of our log packages.
We have tried to simplify this process by not only including materials that make sense but also providing the customer with support and a knowledge base that will get them through the construction of their home. We set each of our customers up for success by working with contractors and other suppliers to make sure that each component is accounted for and priced into the total cost of the home.
We may not include items such as shingles, windows or doors or subfloor framing, but there's a reason for that. We are a manufacturer of log homes and we put all of our effort into perfecting our products instead of including products we don't manufacture, marking them up and selling them back to you. Log home companies are known for including tons of miscellaneous items in their packages to make them appear all inclusive but when it comes down to it you may end up with no roof system in your package.
Mountain Creations Log & Timber Homes will customize your home and your log package to fit your needs. For more information on how to get started call us at 800.661.5647.
Automating a Log Home
Last year I authored an article entitled, “Log home automation? Excuse me?” (http://www.logcabindirectory.com/articles/home_automation.htm) The article was picked up by scores of blogs and syndicated services and since then I’ve received tons of email asking questions about home automation and the company whose products I mentioned, X-10 (see: http://www.home-automation.us)
First, I will discuss the company; X-10 was a pioneer of online ‘in-your-face’ marketing. Anyone who was aware of X-10 in the early days of the Internet can remember the mind-numbing garish ads this company seemed to have pinned to every website in the universe. Heaven forbid if you opted in to any of their newsletter or advertising solicitations, as you would get blasted daily with offers and eleventh-hour deals.
That company, and the vast majority of regular Internet users learned the hard way how NOT to get involved with such marketing techniques. Companies who practiced these tactics eventually lost the support of their customers, and prospective clients learned to avoid these businesses. I don’t blame X-10 for their unconventional approach to marketing. When the Internet was first made available to business, no one knew what would work or what was needed to attract customers. That was the ‘Wild West” of online marketing. Good companies made some bad mistakes, but eventually most learned that good products promoted properly will yield positive results.
X-10 is a survivor of the “dot-com meltdown” and the early marketing blunders of online promotion. Today, they are a 30+ year-old company offering quality products, with excellent warranties and free shipping to USA addresses (orders over $50). Today they are one of the world’s leading Web retailers and a manufacturer for several lines of best-selling consumer electronics products.
Revisiting Log Home Automation
Home automation is about making things easier and improving convenience; it is about what you want – and when you want it to happen. Home automation is ‘green’ and good for global warming.
Although my primary focus is log homes, what follows pertains to all houses whether they are constructed of log, brick or even manufactured. Home automation is about making things easier and improving convenience; it is about what you want and when you want it to happen. With X-10’s ActiveHome Pro, your imagination is all that is needed to make your home “your automated castle.” Using this system you can program your thermostat to turn on or off to suit your schedule and wake up to a hot pot of coffee, and have your lights turn on or off at preset times.
This electronic brain for your home is managed by a system-control package for Windows PCs, but your computer does not need to stay connected for the system to work after it has been programmed. Once you download your behaviors into the computer interface, you can plug it into almost any electrical outlet in the house and it will run unassisted. The software permits you to program the behavior of any number of devices in your house, and is quite robust, yet easy to use. Set-up of the hardware components is a breeze. Outfit lamps or appliances that you want to control with small inexpensive modules that allow the ActiveHome Pro computer interface to communicate via signals that are broadcast across your home’s electrical wires.
You can even program the system to do tricks using the ActiveHome Pro software. A download plug-in is available from X10 (for $50) that allows modules to be controlled on an “if-then” basis. For example: If it’s past dusk and the motion sensor module detects movement in the living room, then turn on the lights. Or, if you have some programming experience, you can download a free software development kit and write a control program that interfaces with your e-mail.
Your imagination is the only limitation with this home automation system. You can create the mood you want with a push of a button. Produce a romantic atmosphere with dimmed lights, soft music and your aroma lamp, and make it a night to remember. When you come home after dark the system will automatically turn on your lights providing you a safe and visible entry. Ensure a fun and worry free vacation by turning lights on and off at different times, making your house look occupied. When it comes to peace of mind, convenience and comfort are paramount.
Home Automation is ‘Green’
Now you can control your home, get control over your expenses and conserve energy. With a home automation system you can manage countless small tasks that will add up to huge savings of both money and energy. Your smart home can be programmed to turn lights off with the dawning of the day, your television to shut off at night after you fall asleep and your furnace to power down at night or when you are away at work. Managing lighting, heating and air conditioning components and appliances can make a significant impact on your household expenses and contribute to fuel conservation.
Will home automation solve the “global warming” problem? Doubtfully, but any measures we take to reduce energy consumption is good for everyone who inhabits this planet whether they live in a log home or a straw hut. Imagine the impact if fifty-million homes in America turned off their furnace and a couple lights for a few hours every day.
In summary, home automation is not just a toy for affluent geeks, but a reasonable consideration for anyone who owns a home and wants convenience, increased security and to save money and energy. If you are contemplating home automation or security improvements, I recommend you investigate X-10’s ActiveHome Pro system. A starter kit with the software, interface and several modules, remote controls and sensors costs just $100. Additional modules cost between $15 and $50 from X10 and other vendors. ActiveHome Pro was selected as the Editors’ Choice by PC Magazine making it their top pick among all home automation systems!
Tom Heatherington is the founder of the Log Cabin Directory, a human edited directory of log home and log cabin manufacturers, contractors, dealers, plans and information for the United States and Canada. Visit: www.LogCabinDirectory.com/
We have been saying these very things for 25 Years! See what the Log Home Council had to say about the benefits of building a quality log home...
Beyond a steady stream of visitors seeking to soak up some rustic ambiance and connect with Mother Nature, there are other advantages for owning a log home over more conventional construction. Longtime homeowners say log and timber homes offer rich rewards over the stick and brick homes of their neighbors. The benefits start with the building materials.
1) Trees are Renewable Resource
Since trees are a renewable resource, log homes come with a solid green pedigree. When a home is made from solid logs, you are effectively taking the carbon contained in those logs out of environmental circulation over the entire life of the home. Moreover, some log home producers harvest standing dead timber (done in by pesky insects) or purchase logs from forests certified as sustainable. Some builders are constructing log homes to green building standards as well.
2) Long Lasting
Got a know-it-all in the neighborhood who thinks his brick home is durable? Inform him that log homes still in use in Europe routinely date back more than 800 years. And one log-constructed church in Russia is reportedly more than 1,700 years young.
3) Withstand Mother Nature’s Wrath
The log home industry has countless stories of these homes successfully weathering the worst weather Mother Nature can dish out, including the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. When Rita’s winds caused a giant oak tree to crash through the roof of Menlo Klingman and his wife Mickey’s 1,700 square foot Satterwhite log home in Eastern Texas, the home’s solid log walls withstood the weight of the toppled tree and prevented more damage “There is no doubt in my mind that this log home saved our lives,” says Mickey.
4) Fit the Land
Since this organic building material comes from nature, the resulting structures blend into the topography like a 10-point buck on opening day. Log homes naturally integrate right into the landscape, rather than being awkwardly imposed on it.
5) Fast Framing
If you choose to use a precut and pre-drilled log system or a handcrafted home, the shell of your home can be framed on site faster than conventional stick framing, which will reduce the likelihood of weather-related damages or mold and mildew issues. With the right crew and building system, it can be weather tight in as little as two weeks—for an average sized home. In conventional construction, your home is exposed to the elements for far longer, which could lead to mold issues within framing of the home, where it can thrive undetected for years.
6) Warmth of Wood
Warm to the touch (as opposed to the always chilly sheetrock), wood has something called “thermal mass,” a natural property in the logs that helps keep inside temperatures of homes comfortable in all seasons. This allows log walls to collect and store energy, then radiate it back into the home.
7) Super Energy Efficient
Provided the home is sealed properly (between the foundation and the first course of logs, between log-to-log connections and where the roof system meets the log wall), you can have a super energy efficient home. Indeed, some builders routinely build log homes to meet the DOE’s “Energy Star” standards. This means it will be 30% more efficient than what building codes call for, saving you serious coin over the life of the home. “Today we can build a log home to be 15 to 20 percent more energy efficient than a conventional home,” says builder Mike Gingras, owner of Seven North Log Homes in New Haven, Vermont, who has designed and built Energy Star-rated log homes for the past 18 years.
8) A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Hanging a picture in a home with drywall is a big ordeal, involving a stud finder, a hammer or drill and bruised fingers—maybe even a bruised ego, since your spouse may tell you to move the picture, requiring patch work. Homeowners report the simplicity of hanging a picture is one the simple joys of living in a log home.
9) Rustic Doesn’t Mean It Isn’t High Tech
While rugged is appealing, roughing it is definitely out. That’s why today’s log homeowners increasingly want a hideaway that’s connected, automated and secure. Many log homeowners are adding backup generators (in case of power outages), security system and a CAT 5 wiring system that can accommodate high speed video, voice and data, as well as a host of new communication technologies on the horizon.
10) The Eyes Have It
If you’re worried about mold, mildew or insect infestation, then a log home offers clear advantages since you’ll be able to see anything untoward, just by taking a stroll around your home and visually inspecting the logs. This quick detection leads to a less costly remedy. In contrast to a conventional home, the sealed wall cavities can be a hidden refuge for mold, mildew and insect infestation, which can cause far more damage before its detected.
11) Superior Craftsmanship
Conventional custom homes can have their fare share of beautiful carpentry, but this is typically limited to trim and millwork. In log homes, examples of fine craftsmanship are at every turn, in the handcrafted staircase with its branch-like spindles and balustrade, in the hand-scribed large timbers overhead in the cathedral ceiling, in the one-of-a-kind light fixtures.
12) Peace & Quiet
Log homes are often quieter than stick built homes, thanks to the same thermal mass that provides energy efficiency and the sound deadening affects of wood walls, according to a white paper produced by the National Association of Home Builders Log Homes Council. “The acoustical benefits of a log wall, therefore, are the reduced transmission provided by its solid mass and the sound deflection provided by the profile of the log (the angle, shape, and texture of the log surface),” the paper concludes.
Article courtesy of Log Homes Council
As a family owned and operated log home company, we have a vested interest in our customers opinions. With so much of our business coming from referrals we have asked our past customers why they chose Mountain Creations Log Homes and this is what a couple of them had to say...
I have to tell you that we are just so excited as we see progress every week on our Mountain Creations log home. I cannot express how grateful I am to have this whole building experience with you and all of your family. Wow! Everyone, and I mean everyone, that I deal with as this has progressed has nothing but the best to say about your family and Mountain Creations"
-Christine G.
"Like most people, we did our research and considered other log home manufacturers, but not one was able to provide us with the confidence, guidance and comfort that Mountain Creations did. If we had to do all over again, there is not one thing that we would change. It's crazy how making the right decision has impacted our lives every day and imprinted us with an amazing experience."
-Renee & Larry
At Mountain Creations, we are so very happy and proud of the relationships we have established with past, present and future customers and a large part of those growing relationships is due to the fact that we make customer service our #1 priority. We have heard from many customers that they went with Mountain Creations because they felt comfortable and they had all the information they needed right at their fingertips, all they have to do is call.
To continue this process we want to know what you have to say! Email me at ksnyder@mountaincreations.com and let me know your questions. I will be featuring one "Frequently Asked Question" every week on our blog in an attempt to educate and assist future customers on their journey to building their dream log home. Ask us anything! If your question is picked for the blog you will receive a special incentive!
Call or email us today!
800.661.5647
There are many misconceptions within the log home industry but one of the most common seems to be when it comes to the log home package.
Some frequently asked questions:
What do you include in your log package?
At Mountain Creations Log Homes, we include items that make sense and mostly include components that we manufacture.
It is very important to remember that every log home company offers a different package or "kit" and comparing apples to apples is virtually impossible for the homeowner or the log home companies themselves. At Mountain Creations Log Homes we strive to go beyond the log package and help our customers with each facet of their log home. We can help you coordinate everything from your building permit to the flooring.
Our standard log package includes all of your Exterior 6 x 6 D Style Log Walls, R 38 Exposed Roof Rafter System, Exposed 2nd Floor System, Heavy Timber Porch Roof Systems & Decking and Interior Tongue & Groove for all interior walls, ceilings & closets. In addition to these componenets our standard package includes complete custom design & construction blueprints, Accessories and Sikkens Cetol stain.
Do you include Windows & Doors?
If you have put some time into researching log homes you know that some companies include windows & doors, while some include shingles and others include interior doors only. There is no consistency from company to company.
We do not include windows & doors, interior doors or shingles for a few very simple reasons. We want our customers to have the freedom to choose whichever window company or style of shingle or metal roof that fits their taste. No two Mountain Creations Log Homes are alike and you will have the opportunity to customize your home to your exact liking. When it comes to these items, you will want to have these delivered when you need them to make life easier on the builder as well as keep your windows from becoming damaged during construction. We have set up relationships with Pella Windows as well as local lumber companies to allow you the flexibility you need and offering you great deals and general contractors pricing.
Remember when it comes to building your house that there is much more involved than just the log package. There is no magic formula or perfect multipliers for determining the cost of your log home. We will help you cost out each component of your home and help you stay in budget. Call us today to learn more about how to get started. 800.661.5647
TBC Global News Network
Announces Company Profile
with Norah Schneider,
Founder and President of
Mountain Creations
FRANKLIN, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TBC Global News Network, Inc (OTCBB: TGLN) announced today that it has scheduled preproduction of television profile with Norah Schneider of Mountain Creations Log & Timber Homes.
Marty Schiff, President of TBC Today, Inc (a wholly owned subsidiary), will be conducting an up close and personal interview with Norah Schneider, Founder and President of Mountain Creations Log & Timber Homes, a premier cedar log home company that has enjoyed steady success during the past year despite a slowing economy.
The interview will touch on the dynamics of running a family owned business, creative marketing techniques in changing times, key strategies used to maintain steady growth, market stability and satisfying customer needs during the current difficult economic times.
Mr. Schiff stated, "Our goal is to provide existing small business and new companies alike informative insight that may help them better maneuver in our changing times. Norah Schneider has experience and insight in the log home building industry and we are pleased to have her as part of our feature profile lineup."
"Mountain Creations is excited about the opportunity to share our recent business experiences and be a part of TBC's profile lineup," stated Ms. Schneider.
The feature profile is scheduled for production in early September and will air this Fall on the TBC Global News Network.
About Mountain Creations
Mountain Creations Log & Timber Homes is a family operated company that supplies premier quality log & timber frame packages featuring Northern White Cedar. Mountain Creations has its corporate offices located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA.
For more information go to http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mountaincreations.com&esheet=6021472&lan=en_US&anchor=www.mountaincreations.com&index=1.
About TBC Global News Network
TBC Global News Network, Inc. is an news company, through website, television, print and other media, that provides information about NASDAQ Small Cap, OTCBB, Pink Sheet companies, as well as some interesting privately-held firms.
Notice: Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications that may arise could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to those set forth in the company's Form 10-K filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sec.gov%2F&esheet=6021472&lan=en_US&anchor=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sec.gov%2F&index=2). The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts
TBC Global News Network, Inc.
Marty Schiff, 800-398-3620 Ext 2
http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tbcglobalnews.com&esheet=6021472&lan=en_US&anchor=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tbcglobalnews.com&index=3
Mountain Creations Log & Timber Homes is pleased to announce our August Log Home events which include Open Houses, Seminars, and Webinars. Log on to our web site for more information.
August Log Home Events