So you’re ready to build but you and your partner can’t decide between a traditional log home and a contemporary timber frame one.  Beaver Mountain’s answer–combine them for a custom hybrid home!  A log hybrid home is built using conventional construction techniques along with both structural and non-structural log elements.  Design and style are limitless with this type of construction. You can combine round logs with square timbers, stucco, cedar, or fiber cement shakes with siding accent whatever you want it’s a completely blank canvas.

Hybrid log homes are also energy effcient.  At Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Homes we can not only show you how to get an Energy Star rating, but give you design tips on making your home more green also.  When we build your home it’s always with energy efficiency in mind.  We use low E-glass Pella and Andersen windows and our entrance and patio doors are fiberglass Therma-Tru to keep your glass areas more energy efficient.

So when you’re ready to build your new custom hybrid log home come see us and we’ll help turn your dream into a reality!

Q:  What exactly is WOODguard?

A: WOODguard is a one coat, oil based preservative for the exterior of log homes and wood sidings.

Q: Is it just clear or can I tint it?

A:  It depends on your taste.  WOODguard comes either clear or in the following tints:  Honey Base, Tawny Cypress, Dark Walnut, Honey 2000, Warm Pecan, or Iron Gray.

Q:  Does it protect from UV rays?

A:  Yes, WOODguard is formulated with “trans-oxide” pigments and colorless titanium dioxide (Ti02) to reduce fading caused by UV light.

Q:  When do I apply it, how much, and how long does it last?

A: New construction needs to be prepared with Mill Glaze Away first before treating the wood with WoodGuard.  You should apply WOODguard to the point of refusal when applied with a brush, coarse spray, or roller….never with an airless sprayer.   The general rule of thumb for how much to use is one gallon for an approximate area of 150 sq ft for resawn cedar siding and 200 sq ft for mill finished logs & siding.  A rough calculation to use would be Area=length of home x height of your home x 1.4 (the 1.4 compensates for your windows and doors).  The manufacturer recommends applying your second coat with 12-18 months of the original application, then every 3-5 years after that.

Q.  Why is my WOODguard darker than I expected?

A: WOODguard goes on dark and lightens as it cures.  If it is not going on dark then you are not applying it to the point of refusal.

Q: Is WOODguard safe?

A: WOODguard is an EPA registered wood preservative and is also VOC compliant meeting all current state air quality requirements.

Q: What are the benefits to applying WOODguard to my home?

A: There are many benefits to applying WOODguard to your home.  It helps control fungus, mold, mildew, wood decay and insect infestation such as termites.

YOU’RE INVITED!

OPEN HOUSES:

• Saturday, February 18th                                                                                              8:30am-4:30pm
• Sunday, February 19th                                                                                               11:00am-4:00pm
• Presidents Holiday, Monday, February 20th                                                                  8:30am-4:30pm                          
•  Saturday, March 17th                                                                                                   8:30am-4:30pm
• Sunday, March 18th                                                                                                     11:00am-4:00pm
• Saturday, April 14th                                                                                                       8:30am-4:30pm
• Sunday, April 15th                                                                                                       11:00am-4:00pm

FACTORY TOURS & WORKSHOPS:

• Saturday, March 17th (RSVP)                                              9:30am
• Saturday, April 14th (RSVP)                                                 9:30am

WEBINARS:

SPECIAL EVENTS:

• Tuesday, March 20th (RSVP)   Builder Appreciation Day…the models will not be available for viewing during this special event.

Call 1-800-233-2770 to register for an event or to schedule an appointment to review your plans.

For a Complete Listing & Description of Events visit http://www.beavermtn.com/contact-us/special-events

Beaver Mountain, the northeast’s premier full service log & hybrid home source, proudly offers you a friendly, experienced and professional staff of building consultants to listen to your ideas and help you every step of the way (as much or as little as you would like) from concept to completion!

• Our Design Center and Showroom are Open Year-Round Monday – Saturday from 8:30am – 4:30pm (except holidays)
• Our Three Log Home Models on display are shown daily by appointment or you are welcome to browse during an Open House event. Please Note:  The Grandview is currently under construction and is not available for viewing.
• Our Model Homes and Design Center are located on N.Y. Route 17 / I-86, six (6) miles west of Hancock, NY.
• For more information, to register for an event or to schedule an appointment call 1-800-233-2770

Hope To See You Soon!

When you’re ready to make your log home dream a reality remember these four interior tips to help keep the inside as beautiful as the outside.

Humidity:  heating systems can draw large amounts of moisture from the logs.  A humidifier may be needed to maintain moisture content and help reduce log checking.

Proper Ventilation:  kitchens need to be well ventilated because the oils that are released during cooking can discolor cabinetry, ceilings, and other nearby wood.  The rest of your home should be ventilated, but you don’t want drafts bringing in the extra dust. 

Preventing UV Damage:  selecting Low-E glass for windows and doors and using a “UV boost” with the initial coat of stain on log floors and walls will help prevent discoloration of interior wood. 

Protective Stain:  a water based acrylic stain is best because it allows wood to breathe and provides a tough film that can be dusted and cleaned easily.  Also remember to use it in areas susceptible to water damage such as the bathroom and laundry room.  The water base stain also never yellows and helps with the discoloration of the chinking.

With warmest holiday wishes from our Beaver Mountain Family to yours – may  joy, hope, love and happiness be yours throughout this holiday season and a New Year filled with good health, peace and happiness!

If you have not received newsletters or other information from Beaver Mountain with in the last year please contact or call us to update your mailing address and e-mail address. We would like to stay in touch and keep our Beaver Mountain “Family” up to date with happenings. E-mail updates to dprochazka@beavermtn.com or call us at 800-233-2770

Beaver Mountain Log Homes

The Northeast’s Premier Full Service

Log & Hybrid Home Source!

• Home/Project Planning Assistance & Expertise!
• Custom Architectural Design Services!
• Builder Friendly Log & Hybrid Building Systems!
• Precision Pre-Cut Components, Crafted with Pride!
• Brand Name Products Offering Exceptional Value!
• Professional Home Building Services & Field Support!

For an appointment to review your plans: Call 1-800-233-2770

A few months ago on our blog we called on homeowners to send in pictures of their homes. We received so many wonderful entries; all telling us how much the love their Beaver Mountain log home! Thank you!

FIRST PLACE – The Butlers

“After checking many log home companies we narrowed it down to a few including Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes. We attended a workshop and met our sales person, Joan Decker, in person. In early 2010 the 4 year plan was winding down and we prepared to move to NY to start building. Our timing couldn’t have been worse with the economy and there were many times we thought we would have to postpone our plans. Joan was encouraging and after several months we were back on track. Everyone at Beaver Mountain worked very hard to make our home a reality and we will be forever grateful.” Dave & Penny

SECOND PLACE – The Urciuoli Families

“On that first visit to Beaver Mountain your dedication to customer service was obvious. We felt like we were the center of attention. You demonstrated patience when our project was delayed for a year. Once we finally got back on track, the process was quite seamless as you helped us design two beautiful homes for our families. Once we hit the production phase the great customer service continued with Mike and Todd. Whether it was scheduling a delivery at a tricky time of year, constant questions on flooring structure and follow-up needs post delivery, we felt Beaver Mountain was there to help. In the end, Beaver Mountain demonstrated a great log home system and superior design ideas. We now have two beautiful homes that our children can grow up in and share wonderful family moments for generations.” The Urciuoli Families

THIRD PLACE – The Donnellys

“We decided on a Beaver Mountain after several visits to the display models and saw first hand the quality of the materials used. The genuine friendliness of the Beaver Mountain staff and expertise of the CAD & production crew convinced us that our custom log home had to be a Beaver Mountain home. It is one of the best decisions we ever made.” Bob & Roxana

Q: Can I build a log home during the winter months?

A: Yes, not only can you build during the winter months, but there are some advantages!

You can’t fool mother nature and stop the elements of winter, but with a little planning you can successfully build during the winter months.

From a site perspective, work can be done even with some frost. Equipment such as large track excavators allows contractors to dig through the frost easily. Excavation tasks with trucks and heavy machinery are usually carried out with greater ease during winter because of the firm footing the frozen ground creates. Because winter overall is a drier season, your job site should remain neater and cleaner, as snow can be easier to clear away than water and mud.

After the exterior construction is finished, the house will usually not be fully heated while being trimmed and finished on the interior. This allows your logs to acclimate to site conditions before the first blast of the furnace will be experienced. Additionally, as the sun is lower in the winter sky, the logs are exposed to less direct sunlight, resulting in less fading and sun damage until you are ready to stain them when the summer arrives. Of course, your site has to be properly prepared in order to consider building in winter. For instance, if you are building a summer house with a two mile driveway, winter may not be the best choice, as someone will have to keep that driveway clear for contractor’s trucks.

In addition to construction benefits from winter building, there are also scheduling benefits. Many contractors and subcontractors are available in the winter months, making it much easier to coordinate schedules. Also due to lesser workload and time demand, there is a better chance of getting the construction finished on time.

Of course the main advantage of building in the winter is that you won’t have to wait until summer to begin work on your new home!

OCTOBER EVENTS

WEBINAR

Designing Your Custom Home

Wednesday, October 12th; 7:00 pm

Click here to register

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, October 8th; 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Sunday, October 9th; 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Monday, October 10th; 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

FACTORY TOUR

Saturday, October 22nd; 9:30 am R.S.V.P

SEMINAR

Saturday, October 22nd; 1:30 pm R.S.V.P

As the leaves begin to change their color we should be reminded that cold weather is coming. Now is a good time to take a look at the exterior of your home and inspect your logs/ and or siding. How is your stain holding up? Have you noticed any dark spots on the surface? What about checks? Have you found that you have areas where checks have formed and look like they might be able to collect moisture? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then now is the time to take action.

• Cleaning- more times then not, a light cleaning of your home is all you need prior to staining. This can be done with your garden hose. If the garden hose isn’t getting the job done, we recommend purchasing a wood cleaner and following the manufacturers instructions.
• Checks- checks are a natural characteristic of wood and are part of woods drying process. Checks are typically just a cosmetic issue (like them or hate them.) The only time we are concerned with a check is if it s on the top of your radius, angled downward and not protected by a porch roof or over hang. In this situation you will want to insert backer rod and then fill opening with energy seal caulk.
• Staining- After you have cleaned and caulked your logs, you are ready for stain. Whether you are staining with Woodgaurd or Perma Chink, it is very important that you follow the manufacturers instructions for application.

Here is some information about a few maintenance products mentioned above.

• Energy Seal- Log home sealant-Energy seal has excellent adhesion and stretch. It is long lasting, UV stable and chemical resistant. Unlike many sealants on the market that look shiny and artificial, Energy Seal is textured to match the visual characteristics of wood. It also accept the color of your wood finish.
• Woodguard- Exterior oil based preservative- Available in a number of colors, Woodgaurd is a highly durable, transparent stain designed for log homes and wood siding. The oil based formula provides long term protection and water by penetrating due into the wood. Application should take place only if overnight temperatures are above 50 degrees F.
• PermaChink Lifeline Ultra 7- Durable state of the art resin that creates a flexible and tough seal on your log home or wood siding. Application temperature above 40 degrees is recommended by the manufacturer for this water based product.

For more information about the above products or any product that Beaver Mountain carries, please contact Mike Santamaria at 607-467-1660 or email him at mike@beavermtn.com . Mike can assist you with all of your maintenance questions as well.