Mountain Creations Log & Timber Homes will be holding an Open House at the Exclusive Fox Chase model the weekend of August 7th & 8th!
Tour this luxury log home estate located just North of Pittsburgh...Call 800.661.5647 to make a reservation today!
The Fox Chase boasts over 4,000 square feet of living space on the first and second floor of solid cedar log home luxury. This is truly resort living for your everyday life. The contemporary design features a dramatic Great Room as its main focal point with soaring cathedral ceilings and a massive wood-burning stone fireplace. The eat-in Kitchen and Dining Room provide ample room for entertaining family and friends. The Master Bedroom Suite includes a double-sided fireplace, spacious walk-in closet, and a Master Bath with a steam shower and whirlpool tub for two. The spacious Loft, over-looking the Great Room, can provide an additional entertaining area; serve as a library, or another bedroom. The Office on the first floor can also be an additional bedroom or hobby room. An additional 3,000 square feet can be finished in the lower level and can include your own private Movie Theater, Game Room, Pool Room, Wine Cellar, Massage Room, and much more. This plan allows for a 4-car integral garage in the lower level. Custom design is available to fit all lifestyles and budgets.
CALL TODAY FOR DIRECTIONS TO THIS AMAZING LOG HOME! 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/
Log Home and Log Cabin Interior Design Ideas
Mountain Creations Log Homes is pleased to offer the following article.
06.06.2010 | Author: StevenAppleby | Posted in Interior Design
Log home decorating is perhaps on of the more fun decorating projects. Using a cottage theme, log home decorating provides you an opportunity to draw from nature and implement some of your favourite objects. If you are a person who spends a lot of time at your cottage or log home, no doubt youve started a collection of treasures to display. Family photos and handmade ornaments are popular accessories for log home decorating. Any object reflecting family memories are great for a log home or cottage.
A log cabin is a home away from home. It is intended to be warm and cozy for all those who visit. Choosing earthly colors for paint and fabric would help create this atmosphere in log home decorating. This environment is meant to be welcoming and cheerful. Adding some vibrant colors and patterns in cushions and slip-covers will certainly brighten the space and enhance your log home decorating.
Usually people try to find used furniture for their log home or cottage. You many have 
some unwanted furniture at home such as a chair, a table or a couch. Instead of discarding them, why not take them to your log home. Flea markets and garage sales are great places to find amazing furniture to use in your log home decorating project. Remember, one persons junk is another persons treasure. Old wooden pieces of furniture are perfect for log cabin decorating. You may want to leave them in their original state or to give them a newer look, you may want to paint them or if its a chair, perhaps make nice slip-covers in a bright floral pattern.
Besides the mementos you brought from home, there are many accessories you can use in log cabin decorating. Trying to keep with a cottage theme, you might look for baskets made from natural materials that you can hang from the ceiling or place on a table, wooden bowls, galvanized tin pots and buckets, old jars or jugs, there are countless objects you could use to accessorize in log home decorating. Trying to create a feeling of warmth and cosiness, you could have handmade quilts in your log cabin. Handmade items make wonderful additions to log home decorating.
When choosing flooring for a log home or cottage, natural wood such as
birch, cedar or pine, are great choices. You can leave your wood floor in its natural form, allowing it to age and remain authentic looking. You can also pick from many beautiful wood stains to use on your floor which will protect it and also compliment it. Area rugs are nice in log home decorating. Area rugs make a space cozy especially when laid on a wood floor.
Log home decorating allows you to be in touch with nature and all the wonderful materials it has to share. The very structure of the building is made of logs which came from the forest. The scent of the logs alone, add to the natural feeling in a log cabin. Log home decorating is a project that may never be completed. Youll always find something special that can only be appreciated in your log cabin or cottage.
Social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter & many others have made their mark on business internationally. The log home industry is no stranger to how web-based marketing can help customers broaden their horizons and find the company and the log home that's right for them.
At Mountain Creations Log Homes we love having the ability to stay in close contact with our customers and update them on current promotions. These social networking sites have helped spawn past promotions such as "Home Tweet Log Home", "Cash for Stash" and many others, allowing our customers the opportunity to save thousands.
Facebook fans of Mountain Creations can browse through photos of houses currently under construction, get updated on events & find helpful links to our website. If you follow us on Twitter you really get more insight to our family and our personal interests (such as NASA) and find useful educational links.
These online communities have given the log home buyer the power to research, get involved and participate in discussions that help us provide the best quality and product to our customers. Social networking sites have opened up a new marketing and research arena from everyone in business to lost connections in life. Join the Mountain Creations Family on Twitter, Ning, MySpace or Facebook...Check out our Social Media Room!
Dreaming about custom designing your log home can take people through multiple magazines, log home companies and designers and take years without the right help. Mountain Creations Log Homes has offered free custom design as a part of our log home package since we entered the industry 25 years ago.
Offering over 40 standard plans, we can customize any of these designs to fit your needs, use plans you have seen in your favorite magazine or even start from scratch designing your new log home. Start by registering for the Log Home Academy and checking out our Design Ideas page.
The term 'custom design' has taken a bad rap in past years for meaning overpriced designs and months or even years of design. This is never the case when it comes to custom designing your dream log home with Mountain Creations Log Homes. We can help get you through the design process and started building your log home in as little as a few weeks. Lynda Schneider, our resident designer, has helped over 600 customers design their perfect log home. Call today to find out how to get started with your design. 800.661.5647
This article was originally published at My Efficient Planet
Log homes are gaining popularity these days. Not only because of their unique looks but also the eco friendly nature of them. Log homes present many benefits that the conventional homes cannot offer. These log homes are not only beautifully, but also are kinder to the environment.
1. The Environment friendly home
There is a misconception that log homes lead to deforestation that in turn leads to serious environmental problems. The point to be noted here is that these log homes are made from this planets best renewable resource, ‘the trees’. The logs required for building the log homes are obtained from legal loggers. These loggers re-plant where they cut the logs and hence do not lead to deforestation. Recent surveys indicate that conventional homes contribute 40% to the total harmful CO2 emissions. Hence the log homes are excellent opportunities to reduce the Co2 emissions and save the planet.
2. The more energy efficient home
Log homes are more energy efficient when compared to the traditional homes. Energy statistics on log homes prove that they consume 30% less energy. To confirm this energy efficiency of log homes, ‘the National Bureau of Standards tests’ conducted a test. The test results where amazing. Log homes used approximately 46% less energy for heating during the spring heating period. They then tried an 11 week cooling solution during summer through the log homes. Here the log homes used 24% less cooling energy when compared to other conventional homes.
3. Unique and good to look home
Apart from being Environment friendly and energy efficient, the log homes are unique pieces of art and elegance. The log homes are very easy to maintain and the maintenance cost associated with the log homes are very low. There are so many house plans available and often you can assist in designing the home of your dreams.
Building Log Homes
After seeing the benefits that a log home offers, if you are interested in building your own dream log home, there are many places that you can do some more research. From flooring plans to roofing, there are many options available. If you are not sure about the log home plans, it is always better to some professional help. There are professional log home builders out there who offer free log home plans. To save your valuable time and money, there are log home packages too. These packages include everything from log home flooring plans to living area layout and roofing. If you like to know more about the benefits of the unique log homes, there are many log home shows and log home seminars conducted everywhere.
Bottom line
“Modern technology owes ecology an apology” is an old saying. Things are very different these days. The latest technology of log homes makes the saying change to “Modern technology owes ecology great thanks”.
The author of this article is an expert in log homes design. He is also a well wisher of the environment
and knows the importance of log homes in being Eco-friendly. He has written many articles on the eco friendliness and the energy efficiency of the log homes so that people can understand the benefits of log homes and save the Grinning Planet.
Whether the goal is to save fuel, save the planet or a little of both, American homeowners are increasingly going green. And while the average household spends $1,900 a year on energy, log home owners typically report that they spend far less than their neighbors on heating, air conditioning, hot water and lighting.
Energy efficiency is among several ways modern log homes qualify as “Green”-- an approach to building that started in 1993 with the belief that we can all pitch in to make the places where we live, work and play more environmentally friendly. The hallmark of “green” is to use less energy, renewable resources, limit C02 or “greenhouse gas” emissions and create indoor environments free of mold, formaldehyde, carcinogens, and other allergens.
The most obvious factor that makes engineered log homes “green” is their building material -- solid timbers grown from trees -- a renewable resource. Many companies that belong to the Log Homes Council purchase certified wood sourced from sustainably managed forests. During the milling process, manufacturers utilize all portions of the log, from bark and other sources for mulch, scrap from cut-offs for raw material used in carvings and other home products, sawdust used by farmers as bedding material, etc. The homes are sold as kits or “packages” with the bulk of the building materials delivered at one time. These packages consolidate delivery and generally travel shorter distances conserving fuel, says the Log Homes Council, which represents nearly 60 of North America’s leading manufacturers and promulgates industry and product standards. And, logs require less energy and man-made materials than stick-built construction. With the completion of a log home, you have walls that serve both the structural and insulative needs of a home, as opposed to using many products from siding, house wrap, plywood, dimensional lumber, insulation, drywall, and paints in traditional homes.
Heating and Air Conditioning
The massiveness of the logs plays a vital role in conserving energy. According to studies by the University of Maine at Orono, the logs absorb heat energy during the day and radiate it at night to even out the temperature, which makes the occupants feel more comfortable while using less energy.
In addition to the benefits of solid timber construction, Log Homes Council member companies engineer their log wall joinery and roof systems to eliminate air infiltration and moisture, conserve energy and increase comfort. This engineered approach continues 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 subflooring structures,” explains Rob Cantrell, 2007 President of the Log Homes Council, a council within the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Engineered for Energy Conservation and Safety
Log home companies are up on latest developments in building technology and safety and maintain relationships with suppliers of roofing materials, heating systems, windows and other components. Council members constantly test and evaluate newer components to make sure they contribute to energy efficient, safe and trouble-free homes. Even the interior and exterior stains and finishes are evaluated for their suitability as solid timber coatings and to make sure they meet low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) clean air standards, in their quest for the ultimate green home.
The Builder
While a green philosophy begins with the log home manufacturer at the design stage, it has to continue with the builder who erects the home. The Log Homes Council’s parent organization, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), has been getting local builders on board by providing them with the knowledge they need to build green. As part of its effort, NAHB has partnered with the International Code Council to develop a consensus committee based Green Building Standard that provides a practical, nationally recognized baseline for resource-efficient, cost-effective home building.
By the end of 2008, the NAHB expects that many of its members, who build more than 80 percent of the homes in the US, will incorporate green practices into the construction of new homes. The NAHB Green Building Standard and Certification Program addresses seven key green construction areas including site, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, homeowner education, and global impact. Direct ways log home owners can reduce their footprint include less impact on natural features and vegetation during building site preparation, choosing environmentally friendly components for subflooring, trusses and other conventional materials that go into a log home, choosing energy-efficient appliances, conserving water with low-flow plumbing fixtures and taking steps to increase occupant comfort and indoor environmental quality.
Log homeowners play a big part in going green too. These individuals embrace nature and consider their homes permanent dream homes where they are willing to invest in energy efficiency upfront to reap savings over the years. Their design preferences lean toward open flooorplans that allow for the flow of warmth throughout the home – in many cases, a wood-burning stove is the principal heat source.
From the manufacturer, to the builder to the homeowner, log homes are doing their part for a greener planet. Thankfully, log home construction is and always has been green. With new technologies and products available, log home owners can go the extra step to make their homes even greener.
Explore this site for more information, including our members in the news and the Log Home Council's Buyer's Guide: The Perfect Path to Your Dream Home. The events page has listings of educational events, factory tours, open houses, log raisings and more. You can also discover 8 Simple Ways to Save Energy.
This original article can be found by visiting the
Log Homes Council.
Mountain Creations Log Homes welcomes Guest Blogger Nicole Adams from Construction Management Degree.org. We are confident you will find her post informative and insightful.
Gone are the days when the term log homes conjured up images of small, single-room houses built off the beaten track for those who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Today, multi-room log homes are being built in most suburban locations on a regular basis. They may be more expensive than traditional homes and the associated labor costs when building a log home are high, but if you stop to look at the advantages that log homes offer over conventional frame homes, you'll see why they're in much demand:
- They have aesthetic appeal: Log homes look much better than frame homes, both on the outside and the inside. The structure itself is grand and appealing, and the interiors are cozy and comfortable.
- They are valued higher than traditional homes: A log home is usually valued at a higher price than homes that are built with wooden frames. While the exact figure may vary from home to home, in general, a square foot of log home is valued at around $50 higher than a square foot of a traditional frame home and the entire home is valued 33 percent higher than a quality stick frame home.
- They are energy efficient: Log homes are 2.5 to 15 percent more energy efficient than traditional wood frame homes. They make comfortable dwellings and allow you to save more than $400 on your annual heating and cooling bills.
- They come with custom features: If you've ever seen the inside of a log home, you'll know what I mean. The interiors are done up tastefully with stylish staircases and shelves and cabinets made of wood. The exteriors also have beautiful patios or decks which have more appeal because they're made of wood.
- They are in high demand: Because of their status value, log homes are in much demand, especially among people who don't want cookie cutter homes and are looking for something more unique and tailored to their style. Also, the number of homes being built is less than the demand for them, so the status value of log homes keeps climbing higher.
- They are good forms of investment: Just as you would expect an investment of a large sum of money to pay off rich dividends, a log house, while on the more expensive side, is a good investment option because it grows in value. For a minor increase in cost, you gain a large increase in value when you buy a log home.
By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Nicole Adams, she writes on the topic of construction management. She welcomes your comments at her email id: nicole.adams83@gmail.com.
As the ground thaws and Spring's blooms are fast approaching, landscapers, builders and home buyers are getting ready to start their newest projects. So many people want to wait until the Spring to get started building their new log home, however, it can take some planning and help to get going on the right track.
If you are thinking of building a log home this Spring, Mountain Creations Log Homes can help you through each step of the process. One of the first steps is to go to your township and pick up all the information on obtaining a building permit. Once you have your packet from the township Mountain Creations can help you sort through it, gather the appropriate information and complete the ResCheck energy information. We offer assistance obtaining building permits, surveys, and structural seals when necessary.
While our designers are busy working on your construction blueprints, we will get to work compiling all of your estimates and getting your financing started. We provide a complete cost analysis of each home based on your specific design and interior details. Financing typically takes about 30 days and the log package will be cut and ready to ship the week after you go to closing. Our customers who are starting this process now will be moving into their new log homes by September!
To get started designing your new log home check out our log home plans or give us a call at 800.661.5647.
DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THIS OFFER, MOUNTAIN CREATIONS ONLY HAS 2 PACKAGES REMAINING AT FACTORY DIRECT PRICING . WE WILL BE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL DISOUNTED PACKAGEDURING MARCH . PLEASE CALL OUR CORPORATE OFFICES AT 800.661.5647 FOR MORE INFORMATION. BE THE FIRST TO RESERVE THE ADDITIONAL PACKAGE.
Mountain Creations Log Homes is pleased to present select log home packages at Factory Direct pricing. For a limted time, Mountain Creations has choosen 6 of our most popular log home design, and we are offering them to you at an unbelievable 40% discount. This could be your opportunity of a lifetime to buil your dream log home at pricing similar to 2002.
These log home packages are selling fast. Mountain Creations chose 6 of our most popular designs which include the Wolfe Run Log Home Plan, Lake Arthur Log Home Plan, Treasure Lake Log Home Plan, Neshannock Log Home Plan, Punxsutawney Log Home Plan, and the Marylander. These beautiful log home designs range from 1,668 square feet to 3,344 square feet of luxurious log home living. The homes for this offer can be viewed at our log home packages Factory Direct Clearance page.
What can this savings mean to you?
Typically our log homes are built around $150 per square foot. When you take advantage of this incredible offer, you will save tens of thousands of dollars on your log home. This savings will reduce your per square foot price to the $125 range. This will enable you to build a larger home for your budget or give you the ability to finally build your cedar log home within your budget.
This offer cannot be combined with any other offers. This promotion is only available through the corporate office of Mountain Creations. Mountain Creations will allow design changes to the plans offered under this promotion. Certain restriction apply. Call today for more information and to reserve your discounted cedar log home package before it is too late. These homes are offere on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't delay, call today at 800.661.5647.
LOG HOME PACKAGE FACTORY DIRECT CLEARANCE SALE