FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LOG HOMES
- 1. What kind of logs do you use and why?
Primarily eastern white pine. It’s a species that grows abundantly in northern New York and has great insulating properties. A renewable resource (trees are harvested after 40 years). We use the box heart (center) of the tree where it is stronger and a more dense wood.
- How do you dry your logs?
Alta prefers the natural way, air drying for 18 — 24 months. We make sure the logs are 19% or less before we accept them for crafting into an Alta log for your home.
However, we do offer kiln drying to 19% moisture content and heat treatment for export or upon request.
- Why do some of your logs have cracks in them?
Small cracks, sometimes referred to as cheques, are a natural result of the drying process. On the interior of the home, you don’t need to do anything. On the outside, if a crack looks like it may collect water you should fill it with caulk and backer material. (Ask for a detailed application guide as needed.)
4. How long does it take to build my Alta Log Home?
Typically, once you have your building permit, a medium sized home (1,800 sq. ft.) could take between 90 — 120 days to complete from excavation to move in.*
*The weather and size of the home or skill of the crew will have an effect on the timeline above.
- How much does the Alta Log Home cost per square foot?
The Premium Materials package averages $52.00 per sq. ft.
If you mean the complete house ready to move in: There is no exact answer to that question, however, experience has shown us when you divide the final cost of the finished home by the square footage of living space, the average has been $190.00 per foot house on an unfinished full basement. This includes the log home materials package price, but not the costs of land, well, septic or excavation. (See estimate to construct Sagamore for example.)
- Can I modify a standard design?
Yes. Alta has over 50 standard plans which can be modified to reflect the way you dream of living.
- 7. Can I design my own Alta Log Home plan? I have my own plan.
Yes, we can start from a clean sheet of paper and work with your plan and help you design your dream home. See our designer series for ideas.
- 8. Is there a charge for custom design?
Yes, there is a design fee based on $1.00 per square foot with a minimum $1,500.00. This allows you to use our design department to help you create your custom hone and prepare the 1/4” scale floor plan and elevations. Once you have decided on your design and ordered your Alta log home package, we will credit 50% of the design fee to the cost of the package. And prepare construction blueprints for you to be able to submit to subcontractors for bids.
- 9. Do you provide financing?
We work with many local and national lenders who specialize in providing you with the financing you need and understand the special nuances of log home construction. We can put you together with one of these lenders.
- 10. How do I find a contractor to build my log home or who will build my log home?
The local Builders Association is a good place to start. Alta can supply you with multiple names you can choose from. It is imperative to select a reputable, experienced builder to construct your log hone. Always ask for references.
- 11. What if I have my own builder, but he’s never built a log home before?
We will be happy to provide your contractor with on site supervision for up to 3* days. They can meet with us in advance, tour our factory and ask any questions they have. Alta log homes are pre-cut and engineered for ease and efficiency in construction.
*Depending on size and/or design.
- 12. Can I act as my own General Contractor, build it myself?
Yes. We offer you the same assistance we would offer a builder who has never built an Alta log home before. We provide up to 3* days on job site assistance to help get you started putting your log home package together.
*Depending on size and/or design.
- 13. What kind of foundation can I put my log home on?
You can use the same foundation you would use for a frame house, e.g.: block, poured concrete (ICF) insulated concrete form, full basement, crawl space, piers or slab.
- 14. Can I build my home on a slab foundation?
Yes, depending on where your building site is located. A slab is not usually recommended in the north east, except for detached garages, due to the frost line. In the southern climate zone you could use a poured slab.
- 15. Is a log home energy efficient? Or what is the R-value?
Logs are an excellent insulating material because of the cellular structure of the wood, which traps millions of microscopic air pockets that slows the transfer of heat (thermal mass). This keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. According to the national Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), log structures performed 40% better than a well insulated frame building in the intermediate winter and summer months.
Alta is one of the first log home manufacturers to build log homes to ENERGY STAR® standards which save 30% more energy than building to standard codes. And Alta built the first log home in the United States to receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Homes (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design).
Classic R-19= performance value
Frontier R-22 = performance value
Roof insulation has to meet code (as of 1/2013 the Alta roof system with 6” of rigid urethane is R-39 to meet code in NY State.)
- 16. How often do I need to stain my log home?
This depends on the product you use.