Finding the best log builder is top of the list when it comes to building a new log home or cabin. Although, it can seem pretty daunting to check out all of the different log builders out there because there are just so many. If you are keen on supporting your local economy, it’s important to find a log builder that is in your area, but if you can’t find someone in your area keep extending the radius until you find someone you can feel excited about working with. Backwoods Log Homes is a family-owned company operating out of New Richmond, Wisconsin. So if you live close to that area, they could be the perfect log builders for you. All of their log homes are built by a smaller group of log builders who are very skilled and talented at their craft. It also helps that they are passionate about building log homes and cabins, and they are also very hands-on with their customers and treat each project like it is their own home being built using high-quality materials and products every step of the way. All of the logs used in their log projects are large diameter white or red pine wood that are premium grade and air dried instead of kiln dried.
Usually, companies will allow their logs to air dry so that they don’t dry out too quickly and so that it’s more of a natural process. Each of these logs measures about 14 inches to 24 inches in diameter, and the customer can choose which diameter they would like for their home. Also, they leave the logs with a natural taper, so there are no milled logs used in the shell of the log home at all. They also keep the logs full-length with no butt joins. The log builders use the full-scribe method of building log homes which can offer the tightest fit as well as the best insulation value. They scribe each log by hand using hand tools to precisely shape each log to fit the contour of the log beneath it. As you can imagine, this will create a very tight seam between the logs which will usually not require chinking. A chink style log home is a great affordable alternative for homes instead of a full-scribe log home. This type of build is ideal for cabins that aren’t used year round. Since the logs aren’t scribed like the full-scribed logs, they leave gaps between the logs that are then filled with chinking. The log builders at Backwoods also offer piece on piece log homes too. This method of building brings together post and beam construction with log building using mortise and tenon joinery to stack log walls between the posts.
Both of the other styles – full-scribe and chink style can be used in the piece on piece method. Another option Backwoods Log Homes offers is log home restoration. They do everything from stripping and restaining logs to freshen the log home up and to protect it for years to come, or they also do more complex projects that would involve removing and replacing any rotten logs. The log builders will work with their customers every step of the way to ensure that their customer is happy with how their log home is turning out. The full-scribe log shells cost per square foot tends to fluctuate with the market prices of wood as well as the complexity of the floor plan chosen. Each log package will include the log walls, log beams for loft, log floor joist, log trusses, posts, purlins and ridge beams, all of the windows and doors cut in to accept the framing, and all through bolts and electrical chases drilled. It also includes the disassembly and re-assembly of the log shell and 1 to 2 skilled log builders to help with the work.
