LOG HOME MILLS IN THE UNITED STATES

Only a few log   home manufacturer's actually harvest their own logs from the forests here in the United States.

Mills

 There are only a couple of manufacturers that have full functioning mills where they harvest their own trees and process them from the forest to your home. Of these few only a couple harvest green trees that are free of disease and insect infestation. Other manufacturers harvest dry dead standing trees that died of disease, insect infestation, forest fires or old age. If the trees died of forest fires or old age then they become prone to disease and insects. You just do not know how long the trees stood in the forest after dying and what could be in them.

           

 You should ask any manufacturer that claims to have a mill if you can come for a visit. There are a couple of manufacturers that will take the cost of your airfare and hotel stay if you purchase a home from them. These manufacturers want you to come because it will make a difference when you see how their logs are processed. You should see raw trees stacked in their yards, machinery used to de-bark the trees, cut to lengths and laths to turn cured product in to houses.   If all you see are logs strapped in bunks that they open before turning for homes, this manufacturer does not have a full functioning mill. He is brokering in his product from a middleman and this will cost you more money because their log or cants that come in are cut to order.

 A full operational mill will have employees that are Timber Product Inspection certified graders that grade the logs as they come in from the forest to placing them in bunks to be shipped. This is the only way to provide the highest quality product to consumers.

 There are several manufacturers that will tell you that the have 10 mills, but when you ask to visit one of them they mumble that they are in Canada. What this indicates is that their company is only a broker for logs coming out of Canada and it is inexpensive and of low quality.

 Manufacturers that use dry dead standing trees that come in round or in square timbers are brokering them in from Canada due to the lack of inventory here in the United States and they are trying to purchase what ever they can get their hands on. They can buy cheaper from Canada, but do not pass this cost saving to you the customer. What the consumer needs to know is that logs coming in from Canada usually have no warranty. You must read the manufacturers warranty very closely. They give you a warranty for their workmanship only, not on the logs themselves. Manufacturers bury things like this in their 20 plus page contracts. You do not know the terminology used in the industry and become confused and just sign it because you trust the salesperson. If you sign it even though they changed what they said, you are obligated to that contract and are responsible for reading and understanding its content.

 I have heard stories from Sacramento, California to Moosehead Lake, Maine about people that have tried to go to Canada to bring legal action against companies that supplied logs for their homes. One lady spent over $30,000 an 4 years and lost because Canada protects Canadian companies.

 Do your home work and read the contracts for your own protection. *note see section on Contracts.

Consulting firms that help you through the building process are well worth your time and money. Not knowing the in and out's of building a log home or timber frame home can become very frustrating.  Custom Woodcraft Builders out of Indianapolis, Indiana serve the Mid-Western States.  If anyone has seen it all...it is Custom Woodcraft Builders.

 For log and timber trusses and entryways - please visit timbertrusses.net and timbertruss.net.

To learn about building options with authentic reclaimed lumber, beams, logs & timbers for true historical 'green' building, please visit reclaimedwood.biz and reclaimedtimber.org.

If you are interested in more information about timbers, timber framing and log and timber frame construction in general, please visit the following sites:

timberframehome.biz

timberframesindiana.info

timberframes.name

timberframebuilder.info

Be sure not to miss a wide array of log home and log cabin suppliers, builders and accessories at the Outdoor Sport Lake & Cabin Show in Fort Wayne Indiana March 12-14, 2010. This event is produced by Coliseum Productions Inc.