This depends on many variables; square footage, grade of materials, contractor’s fees and type of amenities for the home (garage, oak cabinets, hardwood, marble countertops, etc.) Much like car shopping … new, used, compact or a luxury Mercedes. We offer several log home kits for under $25,000.
How Are They Wired?
As exterior walls are placed, the electrical box is placed in either the second or third log. Holes are drilled thru the logs and down thru the sub floor. Wire is run from these boxes to the electrical panel. Switches are done in a similar fashion. (SEE OUR CONSTRUCTION VIDEO FOR COMPLETE ILLUSTRATION.) Interior or partition walls are wired “conventional style".
What About Plumbing?
Plumbing is run through interior walls – same as in conventionally framed homes. Bathrooms with joists directly below are the exception and careful forethought must be given in the designing stage. If an upstairs bath is located over 1st floor joists, joists must either be boxed in, the 2nd floor raised, or a special platform created to accommodate the toilet trap and related drain lines. Often, a 1st floor closet can be located directly below an upstairs bath and can be have a “hidden compartment” created to accommodate both plumbing and heating/ventilation ductwork without much compromise.
What Kind of Roof Must We Have?
Customer’s choice – shingles, metal, tile, etc. Colonial Structures offers a double roof system that is strong, energy efficient, and more attractive than most others and can accommodate most any roof style your desire.
What is Post & Beam?
Post & Beam is the oldest building method known to man! Colonial Structures is proud to be ONE of only three companies in the U.S. to utilize this technique! Upright posts are placed at each door and window opening. The weight of the roof and any 2nd floor rests upon these not on the logs! Settling or wavy rooflines are of not an issue with our homes.
Can We Have a Basement?
Yes. The majority of our homes are built over full basements. Depending on the topography of the land, either a full basement or a crawl space can be used since our pre-cut log homes are constructed upon “conventional” sub floors with ease.
What Is Tongue & Groove?
Our logs are milled smooth from the heartwood of the finest cedar wood. A small raised middle section of an approximate ½ - 1” height runs full length of each log. Additionally, underneath the log is a ½” - 1” wide groove allowing the two to fit together and creating a locking effect. A rubber gasket, caulking, and screws and/or Oly Log nails are used with each course of logs to ensure an airtight and sound home! Colonial Structures’ Cedar Log Homes are among the most energy efficient homes on the market today with only cork exceeding cedar in its insulating abilities!
What Comes In a Kit?
Our precut log packages will include the necessary logs, solid wood posts, rafters, beams, cedar siding, foam sealants, and spiral nails ordered to your plans’ exact specifications.
What Other Items Do We Need?
You will need to purchase “weather tight” materials to get the home in the dry (felt and roofing material, windows, doors, etc.) These can be purchased in your local area.
What Log Styles Are Available?
We offer 6”, 8”, 10” round, and a 12” square log; white or Western red cedar, a variety of profiles include our most popular “D”-shaped log to our contemporary clapboard siding design. Our homes look great in the country as well as in the city.
What About Termites and Decay?
Cedar is naturally resistant to termites and decay. Colonial Structures is proud to offer a LIFETIME Guarantee on our logs against structural problems due to termites and decay*.
Do the Logs Shrink?
All wood will shrink to some extent as it acclimates to its environment. Cedar, however, has the LEAST shrinkage of any wood species used in log homes.
How Big/Small Can I Build a Log Home?
From a playhouse to a dream house – we can do it all. With our largest structure being an 18,000+ sq. ft. church in Maryland and condominium units ranging from 20,000 sq. ft. – "If you can dream it ... we can build it"! ... So, give us a call today and let us help you get started.
What Are Your Services and How Long Will it Take?
We specialize in custom designing and build-to-suit or offer complete turnkey construction (by Licensed and Insured GC in Tennessee and Virginia). We also offer kit sales – to our do-it-yourself crowd! Under normal conditions, turnkey construction for a 1500 sq. ft. home can be completed in approximately 4 mos.
* Home must be constructed in strict compliance with the construction manual provided by us.
