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Dutchland ConstructionGeneral contractor and custom designer/builder
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BUILDING A NEW HOME IS AN EXCITING TIME! But, like anything new and unfamiliar, it can also be a very anxious time if we are unsure or have questions about how we can reach our goals. We often end up saying; "Sounds great. But what about.....?" We understand those feelings and want you to have a positive building experience with Dutchland Construction. So we make it our goal to be sure any question you have about building with us is answered. To help you, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions. Of course, no list can cover every question, so if you don't see the answer to your question below, or have a specific technical question for us, feel free to telephone, fax, E-mail, or send us a question on our "Contacting Us" page, and we'll be happy to get back to you with an answer. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ANSWERS"How long does it take to construct a log home?" Typical construction takes approximately 160 days from the time framing starts until completion for a turnkey project. A typical shell project takes 6 to eight weeks. "Can you run electrical wiring in log walls?" Yes, electrical wiring can be run in log walls, but all the locations for outlets and switches must be decided before the logs are assembled, because wiring is run inside the logs as they are assembled. "How well are the the roofs insulated?" We use a 2x 12 rafter system with R-30 ceiling insulation and finish the inside with 1x 8 barnsiding. Log beams can be added over this to give the ceiling a more rustic look. This system will allow an air space to ventilate your roof. "Do you use any caulking between your logs?" No. We avoid using sealants that will require maintenance in the future. We use a 3 inch insulating foam gasket to help prevent air infiltration. "How are the logs fastened together?" 10" lag screws spaced every three feet are used to fasten the logs together. "What materials are included in your kits?" We give an itemized listing of all materials that come in our kits to help you know exactly what our prices include. Just go to our Sample Floor Plans directory page and browse each plan to receive the materials listings. "How does the insulation factor of log walls compare to conventional frame houses?" A study by the National Bureau of Standards found that due to a log wall's "Thermal Mass Effect" (where heat transfer is delayed by the high heat retention of the wall mass), a log building used 46% less heating than a comparable wood frame building during the spring heating period. During the summer months, the log building used 24% less less cooling energy than a comparable insulated wood frame building. Finally, during the winter months, the heating energy used by the log building and the insulated wood frame building was practically the same. (From "A Field Study of the Effect on Wall Mass on the Heating and Cooling Loads of Residential Buildings," National Bureau of Standards) "What kind of wood do you use for your logs?" We use air-dried Eastern White Pine; often called white pine, northern pine, and Weymouth pine, which is a highly stable, uniform textured wood. White pine is easy to work with and has the smallest radial shrinkage value (2.1%) of all the commonly used wood types for log homes today. (from "Shrinkage in Log Homes," Ed Campbell, Log Home Guide for Builders and Buyers; shrinkage percentage from Understanding Wood by R. Bruce Hoadley) "Can you custom-design a log home?" Yes, we definitely can custom-design your log home. Although our Web Site does include available partial and complete home kits, Holmes County Log Homes specializes in custom, computerized designs using our own draftsmen. You can fax us your plans or bring them with if you would like to visit our Model Home in Berlin, Ohio. You can even mail a floppy disk with drawings and scanned pictures of your favorite plans (formatted in JPEG or GIF, for example). We have the technology, craftsmanship, and experience to custom design a home to meet your individual needs. "How much experience do you have in manufacturing and building log homes?" Holmes County Log Homes was established in 1983 to provide custom-designed logs for our 24 year old construction company, Dutchland Construction. Since 1977, Dutchland Construction has received 9 "First Place" awards and 8 "Honors" awards in area annual "Best Homes" competitions. Custom log homes now represent 75% of our residential construction each year. Our Amish log craftsmen and construction crews pride themselves in high quality, durable construction. To date, we have built over 200 custom-designed log homes. "Are termites a greater concern with log homes than with conventional frame houses?" No. Log homes use the same exterminating precautions and procedures used for conventional frame houses. "Does a log home require any special maintenance?" Our log homes require the same amount of maintenance as a wood-sided conventionally built house - keeping a finish on the exterior surface of the logs. Otherwise, our log homes require the same maintenance common to any other type of house. "How often do the logs need to be treated?" Many factors, including the treating product used, location and weather exposure of the log home( enclosed in woods versus on a hill top with direct sunlight, for example) obviously contribute to retreating decisions; making one answer impossible. However, our model home was treated four years ago, withstood Northern Ohio weather, and still looks great. We will probably get 5 to 6 years' use before retreating. "Is it hard to secure financing for a log home?" It is becoming easier to locate institutions which finance log home construction, as log homes as increasing in popularity. Kits may still be a challenge, as one may have difficulty knowing the turnkey labor costs associated with the project. If you are looking for a turnkey project, you shouldn't have any problem finding financial institutions that are willing to help. |
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Dutchland Construction Tel: (330)893-2255 |
