MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
1. Environmentally
Friendly?
Yes. We use
Plantation Timber which is a renewable resource. The trees absorb
carbon di-oxide which help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The
very high insulating capacity of solid log assists in helping to
reduce the need for cooling and heating, thereby reducing the need
to burn fossil fuels. Our logs are NOT CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenic)
treated. However, after hand peeling the bark, the inner layer
(cambium) does receive a hand painted coat of anti fungal and mould
preparation before air drying and applying water dispersant oil
stain.
2. Insulation?
A conventionally built house with weatherboard, insulation batts,
and interior lining has an insulation value varying from R2 to
R4.5. The log cabin has insulation values of between R16 to R20.
Log cabins are great insulators. Warm in winter & cool in
summer.
3. Fire
Protection?
Our log homes use 14" and 18" diameter whole logs. You
probably already know from personal experience that it is easy to
burn kindling. No one with any experience in starting a camp fire
would commence with timber that is not split. The logs are laid
horizontally and have no gaps between them. This means that flames
can not take hold easily. Needless to say, the logs will be
scorched in a fire, but can be cleaned up effectively by
sandblasting.
4. Termites?
A solid log home has no
more, nor less, problems with termites compared to any other form
of timber construction. The proper use of mechanical and chemical
barriers will prolong the life of your log home. In Europe and
North America houses constructed in this manner are still in good
condition after more than 150 years.
5. Foundation?
A solid log home can be built on any foundation. Stumps and
concrete slab foundation are suitable, but log homes are ideally
built on a basement foundation.
6. Type of
Timber?
We use Monterey pine grown in Victoria for our construction. Logs
are delivered to our construction yard in lengths up to 12 metres
(40 feet). The logs are then hand-peeled and pressure washed. Our
reason for using a softwood is that shrinkage during the drying
process is about 5%, whereas hardwood can shrink up to 15%. Also,
the softwood provides better insulation because of the nature of
the timber which has more air infiltration through the grain.
7. Plumbing and
Electrical?
Most of the plumbing and electrical work is run through the log
walls, and the dry walls built internally.
8. Windows and
Doors?
We can use any type of material: Aluminium, timber, steel and
plastic.
9. How Much?
Our price per square is equivalent to any other quality custom
built homes. Our homes are truly hand crafted. You just happen to
get more for your money in more ways than one!
10. Any
Problems?
Yes, if you have friends, or relatives, staying with you there is a
problem getting them to leave the atmosphere of the home.
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