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Frequently Asked Questions about American Log Homes Kit-Home Log System

Q.  What is included with an American Log Home?
We prefer to ship only the materials not available locally. The customer can save money by negotiating with a local building supply company for all these conventional materials such as windows, doors, roofing, etc. This also saves shipping charges for transporting these materials from our plant to your construction site.

Q.  What kind of timber is used in an American Log Home?
Our homes are all cut from native southern yellow pine. They are uniform in size to eliminate water or snow ledges on the outer walls, and to allow flexibility in finishing the interior walls. All logs are 8 inches thick.

Q.  Can I alter the interior layout of an existing design?
Yes, the most often with no additional cost to you. An American Log home can be built as a completely empty shell when roof trusses are used, since all support is to the outside walls. This allows you to get the house under roof in the least possible time, which often saves you money in cases where weather might be a factor. You can then arrange the partition walls to suit your individual needs and tastes.

Q.  What does American Log Homes provide in the way of construction or written materials?
Each homebuyer is provided with as many sets of blue prints needed, as well as printed and numbered instructions for building the home.  Any builder or qualified “do-it-yourselfer” should be able to construct an American Log Home by just studying the materials we provide.

Q.  What type of heating and cooling systems are recommended for an American Log Home?
Any type of system used in a conventional home can also be used in an American Log Home.  Your local climate and building code would most likely determine the type of heating and cooling system you choose.  Remember, your American Log Home has great natural insulating qualities.

Q.  Is insulation necessary in an American Log Home?
Wood is a natural insulator, one of the best.  A concrete wall would need to be ten feet thick to equal the insulation qualities of our 8-inch thick logs.  Wood is six times better than brick, and 1,600 times better than aluminum.  Consideration should be given to properly insulating the floors and roof, and we recommend the use of storm or insulating windows.  The old adage that “you pay for insulation whether you install it or not” has never been more truer than today.  With constantly rising utility costs, it is wise to make your home as energy efficient as possible.

Q. How are the interior walls built in an American Log Home?
Just as in a conventional home.  Any type of interior wall is acceptable, from sheetrock to wood paneling.  There are clever ways to tie the interior partition walls into the curve log outer walls with no necessity of molding of any kind.  This is another savings over conventional homes.

Q. How are the logs delivered to the construction site?
The log home kits are shipped from our plant via flat bed trailer.  The logs can be unloaded by hand with the proper amount of help.  Since this method is rather slow, it might be wise to consider renting the service of a forklift and operator to unload the logs.  This method of unloading can save time, as well as wear and tear on the logs.  A 1½ ton fork lift is recommended to allow unloading complete bundles.

Q. Is it difficult to install electrical wiring and plumbing?
Not at all.  It’s as simple, if not more so than wiring and plumbing of a conventional home.

Q. How are the logs joined together in an American Log Home? 
With the tight fitting interlocking corner feature of your American Log Home, plus our fastening system, you are assured of a weather tight home.  Click here for Assembly Detail