Q) Do the logs rest directly on the foundation or on the subfloor?

A) Either way is fine. Mahon Timber Product logs weigh approximately 10 pounds per linear foot resulting in a total weight of approximately 180 pounds per linear foot of 8' tall wall. That's just a bit more weight than what I place on the floor when I stand in any 1 foot area.

Q) How do you run electrical service through the wall?

A) Holes are drilled vertically through the logs to run wires.

Q) Do log walls require insulation?

A) No. Wood is one of nature's best insulations. Pine species usually have an R-value of approximately 1.2 per inch. They also have the added benefit of thermal mass. The U.S. Department of Energy concluded that log walls of a measured steady state "R" value perform better than stick frame walls of equal steady state "R" values due to thermal mass qualities found in logs.

Q) Are log homes targets for termites?

A) Not any more than other houses built with wood. If there is concern about termites at the construction site, simply take the normal precautions to minimize potential for termites. Termite strips can be attached on the transition from foundation to wood. Keep foundation walls clear of obstructions so termite tunnels can be seen before they are completed. Treat the ground next to the foundation with insect repellants.

Q) Why do some log homes turn grey?

A) Either they were not sealed with a product that has adequate ultra violet block, or they simply were not sealed often enough or at all. Log sealers have varying degrees of u.v. block and longevity. Some must be used twice a year to provide adequate protection while other products may easily last as long as eight years before a maintenance coat is needed. The best finishes may cost two to three times that of others, but are well worth their price to make a log home exterior virtually maintenance free.

Q) Can the logs in a log home rot?

A) Absolutely. If poor roof construction allows inadequate protection from the elements, logs can be compromised. Do not allow roof overhangs to be less than two feet and keep the logs sealed, caulked and clean to avoid log degrade. Well protected log structures last for generations. Some of the oldest structures found in the U.S. are made of logs.

Q) Do log homes require chinking?

A) Hopefully not. Although some log homes are intentionally built with gaps between the logs, most are not and do not need chinking unless they have been constructed improperly. It should take only a small bead of caulk to seal Mahon Timber Product logs however chinking can be used for esthetics if so desired.

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