Log Home Questions & Answers
3. What are the advantages of our log homes over other log homes?
5. How much shrinkage should we allow for around doors and windows?
6. Can I alter the interior layout of an existing design?
7. What type of lumber is used in manufacturing our log home?
8. How are the log corners joined?
9. What type of foundation must I use for a log home?
10. What type of heating and cooling systems are recommended?
11. How cost effective are log homes?
13. Does Daniel Boone offer a construction manual for the do-it-yourselfer on building?
Q. How popular are log homes?
A. The 500% increase in industry-wide sales over the past five years indicates that log homes are not just a passing fancy, but a permanent option in home construction today. In many areas of the country, log homes have been found to have a higher resale value than comparable conventional homes.
Q. Is insulation necessary?
A. Wood is a natural insulator. In fact, it's one of the best. A concrete wall would have to be ten feet thick to equal the insulation qualities of our 8'' thick logs. Wood is six times better than brick, and 1800 times better than aluminum in its insulation characteristics. As with any home, consideration should be given to the proper insulation of the floors and roof.
Q. What are the advantages of our log homes over other log homes?
A. Precision cutting, weather tight, dry logs and a variety of log and species styles.
Q. Are our logs graded?
A. Yes, by a independent inspection agency for wood products that relies on the American Society for Testing and Materials which developed the "Standard Methods for Establishing Stress Grades for Structural Members Used in Log Buildings" to provide uniform product evaluation criteria.
Q. How much shrinkage should we allow for around doors and windows?
A. Daniel Boone Log Homes settle no more than a conventionally built home. Our logs have an average of 19% moisture content, the same as conventional lumber.
Q. Can I alter the interior layout of an existing design?
A. Yes. We can customize any plan.
Q. What type of lumber is used in manufacturing our log home?
A. White pine is our standard species, but we can supply Lodgepole Pine, Spruce, Red Cedar, or other species as well.
Q. How are the log corners joined?
A. Each corner joint is sealed using a wooden dowel between both logs, applying caulk in the hole and driving a hardwood dowel into the hole. Logs are screwed together every 18" with gasket and caulk between every course.
Q. What type of foundation must I use for a log home?
A. A log home will sit on a slab, a block foundation with a crawl space or a full basement.
Q. What type of heating and cooling systems are recommended?
A. A central system or any system common to a conventional home works well in a log home.
Q. How cost effective are log homes?
A. They are very cost effective. A completed (turn key) log home can appraise for more than 39% higher than a retail customer has invested, giving the owner excellent instant equity.
Q. How is financing handled?
A. Through your local bank or one of our recommended national mortgage companies.
Q. Does Daniel Boone offer a construction manual for the do-it-yourselfer on building?
A. Yes, a comprehensive construction manual that will coincide with your structural blueprint to make construction easy for a do-it-yourselfer or a local builder with no log home experience.