Building Process
How are handcrafted log homes built?
In some regards, log homes are built just like any other home. The same steps still apply; site excavation, foundation, sub-floor, framing, and finish work. But handcrafted log homes are also nothing like other types of homes.
Handcrafted log homes are quite labor intensive. When logs arrive at our log yard, they are hand-peeled using a traditional drawknife to bring out the natural beauty and grain in the wood. No machine can do what our log crafters do.
We use only full-length red pine logs, upwards of fifty feet long, harvested in northern Michigan. Each timber is individually scribed, notched and fitted into position. Considerable skill is required to make sure that the notching of each log is visibly tight. This traditional scribing technique has become nearly a lost art. Sure, it is a more difficult and time-intensive process than other mass production methods, but the end results are clearly superior.
We first pre-build your log home shell at our log yard, then disassemble it and ship it to your site. At that point, all the 'heavy lifting' of creating the log home shell has already been done. Upon arrival at your home site, we re-erect the log framing portion in a matter of a few days. Most homes take very little time to reassemble. For example, it is estimated that a crew and crane can set a 2,000 square foot home in about two or three days.
Delivery:
Trucking of the logs to our home building site is done by a licensed hauler. This cost is based on your project location. Cost estimates are available to your area upon request.
Logwork Reconstruction:
A supervisor and an assistant from Maple Island Log Homes will be present on site to coordinate the arrival of trucks and to re-erect your logwork shell. The contractor or owner typically also provides a crew of 3-4 to assist in this process. A local crane will also be required and is not included in your log home bid.
Log homes to be completed within Michigan are frequently re-erected by the Maple Island crew using our crane service. The cost for this service is bid based on your site location, size of the home and site conditions. The next step in the construction of your handcrafted log home is the Finish Process.
If you are a builder interested in more information about working with Maple Island Log Homes during the finishing and building process, click here.
