M & H Wood Specialties Ltd.

Description

The Dream When we think of the simple life, we often dream of living in a log cabin in the wilderness. This rustic beauty appeals to everyone who thinks about putting down roots, and wants to build a legacy for the generations that will follow. The log home has come to symbolize the spirit of our pioneering ancestors, whose resourcefulness, and sense of adventure led to the opening up of this vast continent we call home. This spirit of adventure and desire for permanence is still alive, in today's log home owners. The History When the first settlers arrived in North America, they did not live in log cabins. Due to the lack of time and tools, most early homes were rude huts, tents, and covered pits. The early log homes with the saddle-notched ends and horizontal logs, were built by the German and Scandinavian settlers, about 1638. It was an ideal design for the new country, due to the necessity of clearing Virgin forests for cropland. The abundance of felled trees provided building materials for homes, barns, and forts for protection from the elements. The only tool needed was an axe, and the design was so simple that a small group of men working together could erect a cabin in a single day. The home style was easily adapted to the climatic conditions. In the northern areas, the spaces between the logs was filled with wattle - a mixture of clay and twigs, to stop the chilly winds. In the south were they welcomed a break from the summer heat, the space was left open to allow the breeze to blow through, cooling the home. When the design and construction of homes became more complex, people turned to other building methods and materials which required special tools and special craftsmen. The log home was soon relegated to hunting lodges and summer retreats. With the use of power tools and new techniques, log home construction methods have changed. The design principles have remained the same but we are now able to make more complex styles and shapes, and new materials have allowed us to build a more energy efficient home that requires minimal upkeep and maintenance. The handmade cabins of the pioneers have evolved to the architect-designed pre-cut or "kit" log homes we have today. Today's Log Homes Once considered the ideal material for vacation homes, log built houses have moved into the mainstream of North American housing. Most of the log homes being built today are primary residences. Today's log homes are sturdy shelters that blend with the natural surroundings. They are practical, adaptable and have a romantic appeal. The modern log home, however, has the advantage of technology. Tight construction and energy efficiency are hallmarks of today's log homes. Log homes today come in a variety of homestyles; A-frame, rambler, two-story, and ranch. The log home has moved into a new era of comfort, convenience and beauty. But it is still the American Dream. Log homes aren't cabins anymore." says Rich Horn, technical advisor of the Log Home Council. "Engineering, technology and computer-aided design make log construction a legitimate housing style for today's families, what ever their residential setting or personal style.

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