Using the latest CAD design, Hiawatha Log Homes can plan, design, and create your dream home. Take a walk through your new home using our state of the art software.

Plan on going to a Log & Timber show this year? We do! Check out the shows we’ll be attending this year, hope to see you there!

Hiawatha Log Homes is currently featured in the June edition of Country’s Best Cabins. Our Alamosa Pass floorplan has been included as part of “Country’s Best Floor Plans & Design Ideas”, meant to help readers find a home that fits their lifestyle. Paired with beautiful photographs the article describes some of the key features of the 1,872 square-foot Hiawatha Log Home, which include:

– Highly functional loft-style layout
– Spacious kitchen, perfect for entertaining
– Large windows allowing for scenic views on both levels
– Bright feel created with light-colored logs and a satin stain

Pick up Country’s Best Cabins to read more, or browse through our available floorplans to find a home that best suits your lifestyle. Also, don’t forget that now through May 20th is your opportunity to save 20% on any Hiawatha Log Homes product through our 20/20 Promotion.

Cozy Cabins recently featured Hiawatha Log Homes in their annual Ultimate Cabin Guide. In the article, “hands-on experience”, owners Bob and Mary Petersen describe the process of constructing and decorating their log home in Escanaba, Michigan. The 1,424 square foot home featured in the article was produced by Hiawatha Log Homes.

The Petersen’s based their home on our Kawbawgan plan, modifying the second floor bedrooms to create an open loft entertainment area. Congratulations to Bob and Mary on the completion of their home. Their story is another great example of how each Hiawatha Log Home can be customized to suit your needs, helping you to realize your dreams.

Most of us can agree that log homes are beautiful, but as it turns out there are many other benefits to owning a log home as well. One of those benefits being their environmentally friendly nature. See below for some of the many reasons why log homes are often the greener choice:

Reduced Waste: Very little is wasted during the log milling process. Carvings and scrap materials can be used to build smaller home products such as furniture, accessories or fences. Other materials such as bark and sawdust are easily leveraged in the garden or on the farm.
Fewer Materials: The walls of a log home, built from a single material, provide structural support and insulation. To achieve the same goals, traditional homes use various products such as siding, insulation, drywall and paint.
Energy Efficient: From production to completion, log homes are generally more energy efficient. Most of the time, log materials travel shorter distances than traditional materials conserving fuel during transportation. Once built log homes are said to lower energy costs for the homeowner as the logs absorb heat during the day and release it at night.
Recyclable: Built from renewable resources (timber), log homes are more likely to be recycled when compared to traditional building materials.

At Hiawatha log homes we’re proud to produce products that are not only beautiful, but also eco-friendly. Most of our Northern Red Pine logs are harvested from Upper Michigan U.S. Forest Service plots, which have been managed in the U.P. for nearly 75 years. It’s one of the few pine species that’s being actively reforested in the industry. Any waste in the milling process is used to heat the kiln during the drying process, which is a small part of our ongoing commitment to energy conservation and environmental sustainability.

With the winter months almost behind us, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your log home for spring. Cold temperatures and excessive amounts of rain and snow can take a toll on your log walls, if not addressed early on. Follow this simple steps to ensure that your log home is protected and ready for spring.

Test Moisture Resistance: With a spray bottle or hose, apply water to the surface of your logs. Ideally the water will bead up and roll off of the wood, indicating that your walls are properly sealed. If you notice any darker areas where the wood is absorbing the water, it’s time to add another coat of finish.

Look for Damage: Freezing and thawing cycles can cause your foundation to expand and contract, sometimes leading to cracks or checks in your logs. Inspect the exterior of your home to identify anything that may have opened up throughout the winter. Touch up the sealant where necessary to prevent future water damage or rot issues.

Check Your Gutters: In order to protect the foundation of your home, make sure that water can easily flow off of your roof. Do a thorough inspection of your gutters and downspouts to identify any cracks or areas where debris may have built up throughout the winter. Using a broom or hose clear any areas that are blocked.

A spring inspection is an essential step in preserving your log home and is relatively painless if you are up to date on regular maintenance. Plus, once it’s done you can sit back, relax and enjoy the summer months.

Congratulations Kate TerHaar!

Congratulations Kate TerHaar of Cedarville, Mi you have been selected as the winner of the Peshekee Sauna!

Everyone’s heard of spring cleaning, but fall cleaning is just as important. Now is a great time to clean up your logs and get your house ready for winter.

A gentle hosing should clean off most of the dirt, grim and cobwebs. We don’t recommend using a power washer on your log home because you can overdo it and damage the wood. Clean up any tough spots or dark patches with a soft brush and 50/50 solution of bleach and hot water.

Take a close look at your stain as well. When you sprinkle water on a log it should simply bead up and run down. If the water gets absorbed into the wood, your stain is not doing its job and need to be re-stained. Typically, oil based stains last 5 to 7 years and water based stains last 3 to 5 years.

Although fall colors are beautiful, falling leaves can make a mess and clog your gutters. Raking is usually on everyone’s to-do list, but make sure to add clearing out the gutters to it as well. Consider using tongs to help remove the debris and don’t forget to bring a garbage bag. You don’t want to have to clean up the mess twice. Check your down spouts for clogs or cracks and make sure that they are diverting the water 3 to 4 feet from your house.

Before you take down the ladder, take a few minutes to examine your roof. Look for damaged, loose or missing shingles that might leak when the snow melts and have them repaired. Look closely at the flashing, vent stacks and chimneys too.

Your flowers may be done blooming and your lawn may look like it’s stopped growing, but there are still a few things to do in your yard before the snow falls. Although the grass looks like it’s stopped growing, it roots are actually growing downward to help prepare for winter. Fall is actually the best time to fertilize and reseed your lawn.

Your landscaping can use a bit of fall love too. Pruning your trees and shrubs after the leaves have fallen helps to encourage healthy growth in the spring. Leave enough room for you to walk between your bushes and your house. This will help the air circulation near your home and allow the logs dry more quickly after it rains. Make sure to trim any dead branches and branches that are close to power lines or the roof that can cause damage in the winter.

Don’t forget to winterize. Disconnect and store your hoses; it will help them to last longer. Turn off the water valve to the outside faucets and drain the water from the pipes and sprinkler systems so they don’t freeze during the winter. Bring in your outdoor extension cords and check for fraying or other damage. Put away your lawn mower and summer lawn care equipment. Remember to empty out unused fuel, so sediment doesn’t build up and clog your fuel lines.

After you’ve finished winterizing, give your snow blower and generator a quick tune up to get them ready for the winter.

Hiawatha Log Homes is coming to a city near you! Come see our booth at The Log & Timber Home Shows this fall to discover how we can bring your dream home to life.

We look forward to seeing you in:

New York/New Jersey – November 11th to 13th

Click here for more information on all of The Log & Timber Home Shows.