Northern Log Homes strives to make your home buying experience a positive and stress free experience. You have chosen a great starting point by taking a look at our web site. Be sure to check out the projects in progress and other useful links. The next step is to contact your nearest Northern Log Home Dealer or simply call our Factory in Maine. Whether you have a design in mind or are just starting out, our Dealers and Corporate Representatives are ready to assist you with planning ideas, budgets, financing options and to answer all your questions.

Unlike many other manufacturers, we do not "flood" the market with just anyone who wants to become a Dealer or independent representative. We carefully screen prospective Dealers and continually hold them to the highest standards in the industry. Our Corporate Sales and Support Staff are ready work with you no matter what area of the country you wish to build.

Northern Log Home Standard Models are simply ideas to spark your imagination. While the Standard Models are proven designs in terms of space and style, a large portion of the Homes we manufacture are Custom Designs. Many of our customers choose to modify Standard Models while others bring us their own original design ideas. Our Drafting and Design Department will work with your ideas to create your perfect dream home.

Northern Log Homes uses Eastern White Pine which is considered naturally resistant to decay by the National Association of Home Builders. The trees are harvested predominantly from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Northern Log Homes participates in re-forestation programs so that future generations are assured healthy and abundant woodlands.

While it is true that Cedar offers an incremental advantage in natural decay resistance, a properly maintained Eastern White Pine Log Home will last as long as any Cedar product. The disadvantages are increased cost due to the greater number of log rows Cedar homes required as the trees, by nature, are smaller than other species. In addition, Cedar is susceptible to what is referred to as "pencil rot". This type of decay attacks the core of Cedar trees and plagued sections can go unnoticed even after cutting, milling and final construction.

R-Value is the term used when referring to a material’s resistance to heat flow. The insulating properties of logs are defined as Thermal Mass which is the ability of a material to retain heat or cold. Log construction, without added insulation, has an incredibly high Thermal Mass which enables it to surpass the efficiency of typical fiberglass insulation. In an independent study, the National Bureau of Standards reported that Log Homes with 7" logs use up to 45% less energy in heating and 24% less energy in cooling than insulated wood frame houses. Northern Log Homes can supply Log Home Packages that utilize 8" logs which will increase this efficiency.

Every Northern Log Home is shipped pre-drilled, pre-cut, numbered and lettered for simple construction. The milling process forms a wide tongue and groove system for a perfect and consistent fit. The logs are secured with 12" lag screws which are counter-sunk every two feet.

As opposed to simply supplying random length logs for cutting on-site, Northern Log Homes cuts all the logs according to your plan. This includes window and door openings, corners and gable ends. Pre-drilling eliminates the need to drill down through the logs on-site in order to lag them together. Finally, all the logs are all identified by numbers and letters. All of this time spent in our Factory reduces construction labor costs dramatically.

Our tongue and groove system is enhanced with two continuous strips of PVC weather-stripping gasket and a bead of PuttyLastic caulking. This ensures a watertight and draft-free seal within the log joints. To add to the water-resistance of the system, a drip edge is milled into each log to shed water away from the seams.

All Northern Log Homes logs are kiln dried to a minimum moisture content consistent with industry standards . Being kiln dried, the logs are pre-shrunk which minimizes settling after construction and does away with the need for spring-loaded rods and designed gaps around window frames and doorjambs. In addition, unlike air dried wood, the kiln drying will eradicate insects and pests which may have infested the tree. Northern Log Homes chooses not to treat or "dip" the logs in preservative solutions as this process requires greater moisture content in the log.

The interior of a Log Home is virtually maintenance free after the initial treatment of varnish, polyurethane or oil. The exterior maintenance schedule depends upon the quality of sealant used and the climate. Northern Log Homes recommends Continental Stain which is produced specifically for the log home industry. Generally, the exterior logs should be treated every three to five years which is similar to any stained or painted home.

The Northern Log Home Standard Package includes everything with the exception of the foundation, fireplace, first floor finish material, electrical, plumbing, climate control systems bath and kitchen cabinets, appliances and roof insulation.

Yes. Northern Log Homes proudly offers Andersen and Pella windows and Therma-Tru doors in our home packages.

All heating systems are acceptable. As with most residential construction, the most common are forced hot water baseboards and radiant heat systems. Many Log Homes are built with wood or coal burning stoves to supplement the primary system and add to the inherent coziness of Log Home living.

On the contrary, the National Association of Home Builders has concluded that the fire endurance and integrity of log structures make them a top choice. The solid walls provide thermal protection while the charring of the wood provides for natural protective coating similar to some fire retardant materials. The study further highlighted that the space inside the walls of standard frame buildings allow oxygen to mix more readily with the fuel, in that case the wooden studs. Most localities mandate that fire blocks are included within standard frame walls. Solid log walls require no such precautions.

In general, total cost of a complete home, constructed on your site, will cost approximately 3 times the package price. This does not include the cost of land but does include a budget for septic, well, fixtures, appliances, electrical and plumbing.

Your Northern Log Home Dealer will be on-site to take delivery of your building and to inventory all material. At that time, you will receive a comprehensive Construction Manual which answers most questions and describes, in detail, the building process. After delivery, your Dealer will be available to assist you personally with any questions which may arise. In addition, Northern Log Homes maintains a toll free number to put you in direct contact with the Factory.

Northern Log Homes offers free Log Raising Seminars periodically where you can learn virtually everything you need to know to construct your home.