Building Design
Handcrafted vs Manufactured “Kit” homes
In the 21st century, log homes are divided into two main categories: Handcrafted and mass produced, manufactured homes (otherwise known as “kits”). There are several significant differences between handcrafted log homes and “kits.” Really there is no comparison. Kit homes are log homes in name only. “Log” ends 6×6 inches in diameter glued onto the corners of a building with log siding , or 8×8 “logs” that are 10 feet long and spliced together and milled uniform are not true log homes. While kit houses are obviously wood houses, they can hardly be called log homes.
A handcrafted log home is made of just that - logs. Handcrafted log homes use natural, large diameter trees - usually larger than 20 inch diameters with lengths upwards of 60 feet. Larger logs are more difficult to find and build with (they require heavier equipment), but that is what we use at Laverty Log Homes. The logs we use are usually much larger than 24 inch diameters and have exceeded 30 inches. When you start with superior materials - the natural tree - and you build with real craftsmanship, the superior quality of a handcrafted log home is obvious. Handcraft log homes are a lot more energy efficient, better built, have tighter joinery, and are more in harmony with nature.
Handcrafted log homes are the ultimate “green” building.
Comments like, “How do you get the logs to fit so tightly?” or “Wow, I cannot get over the size of these logs!” or “Now that is what I call a log home!” are what we hear from people who have never before seen a handcrafted log home. Handcrafted log homes are sturdy and will last for a millennium, when properly designed, built and maintained. We cannot think of a better way to build.
Finally, consider the difference in the way handcrafted homes are built. A kit home is all cut by machines and computers, which are not capable of the fine detail and complicated joinery that are the hallmarks of the handcrafted log home. In a true log home, each log and timber is custom cut and fit by using hand tools. Tight fitting joinery is all that is acceptable. At Laverty Log Homes, we use the paper test. If you cannot get a piece of paper into the joint, then it was done properly.
Below you will see how each log home starts off - by peeling the bark off by hand with a drawknife. We are a handcraft log home company from start to finish.
Drawknife Peeling