Lakeside Docks: A Primer
The best way to maximize your enjoyment of a lakeside log home is to install a dock to facilitate swimming and boating activities. Modern docks have become relatively easy for the home handyperson to design and install. Here’s a quick rundown of the basics: Check local regulations. A quick stop into the local town hall…
Pre-engineered Outdoor Fireplaces are Fast and Easy
One way to extend the season of outdoor terraces and patios is the addition of an outdoor fireplace. It can be the visual and social centerpiece of your outdoor entertaining and add value to your home. One company, FireRock, manufactures pre-engineered fireplace units that are simple and quick to assemble, precision engineered, and much less…
Green Tip: Dow Powerhouse Shingles
Technology for photovoltaic solar cells has been evolving and improving over the years, earning a second look from some skeptics. Now Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles have redefined the roof, providing both protection and energy in a single unit. These solar shingles are constructed to install just like traditional asphalt shingles, with a couple of significant…
One Last Chance! Nashville Log & Timber Home Show Opens Tomorrow!
It’s been a crazy log home show season, and we’re so fortunate to have been able to meet with so many people this spring. The final show of the season starts tomorrow in Nashville, so we hope to see you there! For most folks, a log home show is a way to distill all the…
Root Cellars Make a Comeback
Many people are growing their own fruits and vegetables, producing bounteous crops. Even if you’re not tending a garden, storage for seasonal items stockpiled from local farmers markets and backyard crops becomes a challenge. Enter the old-fashioned root cellar. Before refrigeration and well into the last century, root cellars provided relatively reliable storage for vegetables,…
Financial Update – What you need to know
So you’ve made your decision to build your Katahdin Cedar Log Home. It’s exciting to start with designing your new home, but if you’re financing your purchase there are some steps you should take early in the process. We spoke to some experts about financing log homes and they’ve offered some excellent advice. Here’s what…
Bold Colors in Countertops
Formica passes its century mark this year, and it celebrated with a new colorful line of patterns. Formica surfaces are such a big part of any retro look, we thought it would be a good time to see what new ideas Formica® might offer. We spoke with Bill Roush, Director of Communications at Formica Corporation,…
Log Home Shows – Four More to Go!
It’s certainly been a whirlwind spring log home show season! We’re winding down with only four more shows remaining on our schedule. After shows in New England, our dealers and representatives will be setting up the beautiful Katahdin Cedar Log Homes booth in Indiana, Florida and Nashville. For most folks, a log home show is…
Green Tip: Rising Damp Prevention
In recent issues we’ve talked about keeping moisture and radon from accumulating in basement areas through the use of French drains and radon mitigation. But another challenge in concrete slab foundations is what is called “rising damp.” Rising damp is the result of capillary action within the concrete itself after it has cured. This leaching…
New England Log Home Shows Top the Bill
Upcoming shows in Vermont and Maine ensure that everyone in New England has a chance this spring to attend a nearby log home show. Don’t forget the shows in the Missouri and Virginia! In April, we head to Nashville and central Florida. For most folks, a log home show is a way to distill all…
We asked, and you answered!
Last month we included a brief survey where our readers could share their thoughts and opinions about a number of topics. We found an interesting trend toward energy efficiency and alternative/green features in new homes. The economy is still determining many people’s choices, though there was general optimism. Here’s a rundown of the survey results.…
Stained Glass: A Colorful Log Home Solution
For decorative accent and art appeal, stained glass can provide an expressive and colorful element in a log home. We spoke with Richard Gross, editor of Stained Glass Quarterly, a trade publication for the Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA). The association represents accredited stained glass artists, who have practiced their craft for at least…