Pahl, G. (2005, Feb). Choosing a LOG HOME. Mother Earth News, , 92-94,96-100,102,104-105. Retrieved from http://0-search.proquest.com.books.redlands.edu/docview/210572877?accountid=14729
The article above discuss how demand for log homes is up , with more and more people viewing them as an attractive and more sustainable alternative to conventional housing. “Recent consumer surveys shows that log homes are one of the fastest growing segments of the building industry…” according to the Log Homes Council of die National Association of Home Builders.
There are two different types of log homes, manufactured and handcrafted. Manufactured log homes are produced in a mill, where wall logs are sawed and shaped to a specific size and uniform profile. These wall logs are then shipped off to whatever place the house will be made upon. Handcrafted log homes use whole logs that are produced by artisans. Logs are individually selected for placement and structure and are usually hand peeled from freshly cut logs, the more “green” option.
“People are using logs because they have made a conscious decision to build with a healthy wood product that is renewable, and they understand there is probably a premium to pay for that building style,” says Robert Savignac, executive director of the International Log Builders’ Association (ILBA) in Lumby, British Columbia.. “Most people view the handcrafted home as an individual, more custom-oriented product as opposed to one that is cookie cut from a standard plan.”
Besides being unique and sometimes hand crafted, log homes are somewhat energy efficient. A log home is not necessarily more energy efficient – but can be highly competitive. Modern log walls incorporate a variety of sealing strategies that can help avoid drafty walls. Log walls are better than framed walls for controlling heating and cooling loads over the year. The wood’s thermal mass value has the ability to absorb and later re-radiate heat. Another important aspect is the home’s orientation to the sun. There is an importance of the placement and type of windows to take greatest advantage of solar heat gain.
Log homes can help reduce emissions and cut back on the carbon being emitted into the atmosphere. Locally sourced timber reduces the transportation energy cost, as most lumber is shipped from regions outside the 500-mile distance criterion of LEED standards. In addition to using local logs, you can also ask if the timber came from sustainably certified sources.
Not everyone should be living in a log home, but you can replant trees, while it’s pretty hard to replant concrete or steel. Logs are an answer to the green building concerns that many people have today – both for environmental responsibility and for healthy lifestyles.