Photos courtesy of Log Homes Canada
The Integrity, by Log Homes Canada, lives up to its name. Built with western red cedar logs averaging a hefty 14 inches in diameter, the house is as true to handcrafted construction as they come.
Though the logs are oversized, the floor plan is not. With a main level sized at just 1,885 square feet and a 200-square-foot loft, the straightforward design is made impressive by the sheer size of each log comprising the home’s nine courses, as well as by the attention to detail in the precision joinery.
“In the handcrafting process, the shape of the top of every log is perfectly scribed and cut by hand with a chainsaw into the bottom of the log of the next course, creating a tight fit,” explains company president and co-owner, Colin Ollenberger. “We install a gasket and insulation in that cavity, too.”
The client behind this home came to Log Homes Canada in an unusual way.
“We first encountered him at a Log and Timber Home Show in Atlanta,” says Colin. “He didn’t want to talk to us, he just sat on a chair in the booth for awhile. A few hours later, after observing us with other customers, he said, ‘I’ve been listening to you all morning, I like what you’ve got, and I want you to come look at my property in the Blue Ridge.’”
From there, Colin and his team inspected his lakefront lot. The site was challenging in terms of how they were going to deliver the extra-large logs; but with a little ingenuity, the issues were solved and the spectacular home got underway.
With the logs erected, it was time to add the finishing materials that give this house so much character. Poplar bark encases the exterior gable above the two-car garage and the adjoining shed dormer that contains a bonus bedroom the owner added later. Simple, textured architectural shingles cover the roof, allowing the stately truss system to stand out.
The high level of detail continues inside, most prominently in the arch between the living and dining areas.
“The client wanted to create some separation between the two rooms with an arch, and he wanted us to dress it up a bit, so we hand-carved this decorative relief,” Colin says. Not to be outdone, the master bedroom boasts an interior awning, clad in the same bark as the exterior and complete with built-in reading lights, above the bed.
The owner was so delighted with the highly original end result, he turned from private client to general contractor and has now built 15 Log Homes Canada houses throughout the United States and Mexico. Now that’s a testament to customer satisfaction.
Home Details
Square Footage: 2,085
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1 full, 1 half
Log Provider/Builder: Log Homes Canada
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