Katahdin’s Hitting the Road: 9 Log Home Shows!
After a well-deserved break for the holidays, Katahdin will be exhibiting at nine Log Home Shows across the country. Log home shows are a great way to get started on designing and building your own beautiful log home. Katahdin takes pride in providing straight information and plenty of super ideas. If we’re coming to your…
Five Rooftop Upgrades for Style & Function
Many folks spend little time on the design and features of their log home roofs, other than to select architectural shingles or a metal roof. However, there are some additional features to consider adding to your log home rooftop. We found five upgrades that can make a difference in looks and style: Zinc Strips for…
Green Tip: Building Integrated Photovoltaics
It’s always great to identify new technology for our Green Tip column! This month we’ve identified a new area of alternative energy generation: Building Integrated Photovoltaics or BIPV. One company, Onyx Solar has developed a clear glass product that also acts as a photovoltaic solar collector. These glass panels offer an opportunity to generate electricity…
Chimney Design Options Add Rooftop Flair
Many Katahdin Cedar Log Homes feature fireplaces or wood stoves to add to the cozy character in the great room or family room. Many options are available for the interior looks and dimensions of your fireplace or wood stove, but don’t neglect the chimney! On your homes exterior, often the chimney is an element that…
Code Red: Protecting Your Log Home from Fire
Part 1: Mitigation Fire is a danger that many people would rather not think about when designing and building a new home. Yet, many areas are making fire protection and mitigation a code requirement. In some cases, good fire mitigation practices have achieved the goal of protecting homes and keeping the structure intact. Before we…
Live Edge Wood Slabs Add Extra Natural Looks
We know how much our customers love the look and feel of quality wood in their log homes. One spectacular way to add a unique wood feature is to explore so-called “live edge” wood slabs. These slabs of wood are created from larger, old growth species and feature the natural, uneven edge marked by the…
Pools: Options and Ideas
If your dream log home includes an in-ground pool, it makes sense to review some of the questions associated with this improvement. Is your family comprised of active swimmers who will use the pool regularly? An in-ground pool is a big investment in both money and ongoing maintenance. If swimming as exercise, kids participating in…
In the Spotlight: Effective Kitchen Lighting
In many houses, the kitchen is the center of a family home life. The kitchen supports many different activities: from food preparation to dining, reading to homework, canning to entertaining. Having the right combination of lighting will make all of these functions easier and enjoyable. In log homes, lighting is particularly important as even lighter…
Katahdin Form + Function Benefits of Cedar and Advanced Milling
This month, we thought it was important to review just how much the combination of Northern White Cedar and our advanced milling techniques can mean in true savings for our customers. It’s hard to imagine a better combination of quality materials, precision cutting and low environmental impact than what we offer. This combination can provide…
Women Find “She Sheds” a Great Retreat
The popularity of “man caves” as a retreat for the sports fans on game days has led to a similar, though slightly quieter, movement from their female counterparts. The concept plays out in the emergence of “She Sheds,” petite, free-standing structures that provide a getaway to enjoy their own passions. Building a log home provides…
How Does Your Garden Gate?
Gardens provide a beautiful addition to any home, and landscaping can take many forms. In many traditional-style English gardens, fencing or hedges protect privacy and keep wild animals way from delicate plants. Vegetable gardens also benefit from fencing for protection of crops. Some fences also provide security and safety for pools or ponds. Fences can…
Radiant Heat Review: Tips for Log Home Installations
Radiant heat, where hot water is piped through a system of tubing under the floor, can be a very efficient way to heat a home. However, there are some aspects of radiant heat that homeowners should understand at the outset. We spoke to two Maine contractors, Ken Viger of K&J Heating (email here) in Gray,…