Log Home Webinars: Learn to Build and Maintain a Log Home

How Do I Choose The Right Stain (and Preserve My Dream Home)?
August 18 , 2011 at 8 pm ET Watch this webinar

What is proper prep for a log or wood home and why is it important? And how in the world do I choose which stain to use? If your thoughts are consumed with these questions (or even if you’re just a little curious), join us for this knowledge-building webinar.

Sign up to learn about:

• Various types of log and wood prep for new homes and restorations
• Different types of stains available
• Tips on choosing the right stain for your home
• Proper application techniques

Those nagging questions will be answered, your head will be clearer and you’ll be well on your way to sweet dreams.
Presented by Sashco, Inc. – Celebrating 75 years in business: 1936-2011

45 min. presentation, followed by 15 min. question & answer session

Energy Saving Solutions

June 23, 2011 8 pm ET Watch this webinar

Katahdin Cedar Log Homes is pleased to present a valuable seminar discussing the steps to take during the planning, designing and construction process that will save energy and reduce operating costs over the life of your home. We will also demonstrate how to perform an energy audit and provide actual third-party test results from recent audits of Katahdin homes.

Learn:

• Why energy efficiency matters
• How to design for maximum savings
• The basics and benefits of an energy audit

Presented by David Gordon, owner and president of Katahdin Cedar Log Homes.

45 minute presentation; 15 minute question & answer session.

30 Minutes Could Save You $100,000 on Your Log Home

May 19, 2011 8 pm ET Watch this webinar

Sound too good to be true? You might be contemplating the largest purchase you’ll ever make (your log home), so learn how to protect your asset and save money every month for the life of your home.

Timber Block is pleased to present a webinar on making the right choices for your home, both for today and for tomorrow. We know you want your home to have spectacular living space, your custom design from your inspiration. After all, it is your home.

Learn:

• How to get architectural work for free on your custom design
• Achieve near zero energy bills
• Protect your greatest asset from depreciation
• To build today for the future… what you really need to know
• How this can equal $100,000 in savings!

Presented by Timber Block.

30 minute presentation; 15 minute question and answer session.

5 Steps to Move You Closer to Owning Your Log Home
October 28, 2010 and February 23, 2011 8 pm ET

This presentation will help you stay focused on your goal of owning a log home by pointing out what really matters and what doesn’t. Too often during the process of buying and building a log home, people find themselves discouraged by irrelevant distractions. You’ll be able to stay on track by learning valuable lessons from people who’ve completed the process and now enjoy living in their log home.

Presented by Roland Sweet, Log Home Living editor-in-chief and author of Log Home Secrets of Success: An Insider’s Guide to Making Your Dream Home a Reality.

6 Steps To Your Log Or Timber Home

Step 1: Plan – May 13 and 15, 2010

Building a home is 90% planning and 10% execution. Every happy log and timber home owner knows that careful planning saves thousands of dollars and countless sleepless nights. Our experienced professors will empower you with knowledge specifically designed to help you avoid costly mistakes. During this segment, you’ll learn how to:

• Gather necessary documents and information
• Choose the perfect location for your new home
• Choose a log or timber company based on your individual needs

Step 2: Budget – June 3, 2010

There’s no better way to overcome fears of “project creep” than to learn the right way to create and adhere to a construction budget. Building a custom home can be stressful—but most stressful is being unsure about how much money you’ll need to complete your home. Our professors teach the costs to expect before, during and after construction and how to relate those costs to your plans and wish list. During this segment, you’ll learn how to:

• Know the difference between soft and hard costs
• Avoid unexpected money traps
• Budget and finance your custom wood home

Step 3: Design – June 24, 2010

Designing a home from scratch is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you’ve been dreaming and planning for years so you have a great idea of what you want and don’t want. At the same time, you might worry that you’re not doing it right or leaving something out. Our professors teach you a practical and systematic approach to this mostly thrilling- often daunting -process. During this segment, you’ll learn how to:

• Plan your rooms for optimum living
• Determine how much space you’ll actually need
• Identify common design mistakes in order to avoid them

Step 4: Build – July 15, 2010

Building a home seems pretty straightforward. Clear the land, install a foundation, build the walls, pop on a roof, add windows, doors and finishes and presto! you’re ready to move in. Not so fast…the building process is organic and ever changing. X might = Y one day but the next day, X might = B because C came along while you were busy enjoying a sandwich. Building a home takes construction experience—or at least a good sense of how to best work with an experienced contractor. Whether you are planning to hire a builder or think you might want to tackle building the home yourself, our professors will share pros, cons and expensive, hard-won lessons. During this segment, you’ll learn how to:

• Determine whether to build yourself or hire a contractor
• Know the difference between a builder and a general contractor
• Define and adhere to timelines and goals

Step 5: To Green Or Not To Green – August 5, 2010

With so much talk about green this and eco-friendly that—it’s hard to tell if building green will actually be beneficial. There’s no doubt going green can save money, ad value to your home and help keep your family healthy. But if done improperly, it can also drain your wallet and leave you feeling frustrated. Our professors will help you determine the right shade of green for your budget and lifestyle, show you how to avoid “green washing” and help you decide on eco-friendly building techniques that make sense for your family. During this segment, you’ll learn how to:

• Determine your personal shade of green
• Find or design the best floorplan for your climate and geographical location
• Distinguish high-value green products from “flash and sizzle” green products

Step 6: Living The Dream – August 26, 2010

Log and Timber Home University Graduates are empowered with an education that allows them to achieve their dream of building a custom home. But just as there’s more to the story after the hero rides into the sunset as the credits roll—there’s more to your family’s story once your log or timber home is built. Our professors will show you how to enjoy and care for your custom wood home so that you can truly enjoy all the log and timber lifestyle has to offer. During this segment, you’ll learn how to:

• Care for decks and exterior wood surfaces
• Deal with carpenter bees, carpenter ants, plant-eating deer and other woodland creatures
• Find groups, clubs and online communities for fellow log, timber and outdoor enthusiasts