WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Members of the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Log and Timber Homes Council (LTHC) are celebrating National Log Home Open House Month in July for the fifth consecutive year. This month, LTHC members will honor log homes, an American icon, by hosting home tours, holding log raising demonstrations, giving mill tours, sponsoring seminars and much more.
“The log and timber home industry emerged entirely out of consumer demand for this unique style of construction,” said Log and Timber Homes Council Chairman Doug Parsons of Appalachian Log Structures in Ripley, W.V. “This distinctive style of home can suit any homeowners’ needs, whether they’re looking for a small cabin for weekend getaways or a multi-million dollar estate. Members of the council can work with prospective home buyers to make their dream of owning a log home a reality.”
There are several benefits of owning a log home, including their inherent “green” nature. The modern manufacturing process uses every portion of the log, resulting in far less waste on the job site than conventional construction. The waste that is created is typically turned into mulch or sawdust that then can be converted into fuel. Log homes are also energy efficient—the fact that the logs used are solid and uninterrupted, coupled with the modern sealant materials and building techniques, is what makes them highly energy efficient. According to scientific studies, logs absorb heat energy during the day and radiate it at night to even out the temperature. This principle, called “thermal mass,” can make the occupants feel more comfortable, while using less energy over the life of the home. Plus, there are fewer manmade materials in a log home than a conventional one.
To ensure the highest quality log home, home buyers would do well to work with companies that are part of the NAHB Log and Timber Homes Council, as they hold themselves to a higher standard of business and construction practices. LTHC members must:
- Abide by a strict code of ethics.
- Grade their logs and timbers by third party agencies to ensure structural integrity.
- Provide detailed construction manuals to ensure correct construction techniques.
- Sponsor scientific studies that advance log building technologies.
- Provide free information to help consumers make smart choices.
“Members of the Log and Timber Homes Council share the same passion for living in log and timber homes as their customers do,” Parsons said. “Each company invests in the council to develop and improve construction practices and policies that will extend and protect the log home living lifestyle will into the future.”
Visit loghomes.org to learn more about events taking place nationwide during the month-long open house.
CONTACTS
Stephanie Pagan
202-266-8254
