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

A: Yes! And there are definite advantages of doing so!

Scheduling:
Many contractors and subcontractors are more readily available in the winter months, making it easier to coordinate schedules. Also, due to their lesser workload and time demands, there is a better chance of getting the construction finished on time.

Preparing the site:
Site excavation can occur in up to 2' of frost with new equipment able to go even deeper, with the frozen ground providing a solid base for the heavy machinery. Ground water levels are also lower in the winter (outside of coastal areas) prohibiting the excavated sides to slump.

Building the home:
As winter is an overall drier season and snow is easier to clear away than water or mud, the job site will have a tendency to remain clean and neat. Futhermore, the sun hangs lower in the winter sky so the logs are exposed to less direct sunlight during construction. Therefore, the logs will receive less fading and sun damage than they would receive in the summer. After the exterior walls are built, if the house is not heated while its interior is being trimmed and finished, the logs will be able to better acclimate to the site conditions before the furnace is used.

Things to consider:
Regardless of the amount of snowfall, the driveway has to be clear for the delivery and contractors' vehicles. There also needs to be ample dry, clean storage space for the materials.

Meet Rick Hamm

Title: Production Manager, Safety Coordinator
At BM Since: 2003

Background: Attended the Management Institute Program at Broome Community College along with completing a variety of business and technical courses; 26 years in production manufacturing: 11 years experience as a precision machinist, and 15 years experience in production management in two different industries, steel and log homes; experience in linear and cellular manufacturing, total cycle time reduction, quality control, problem-solving techniques and project management.

Best part of the job: “There are two things that really make me enjoy what I do. One is the satisfaction I get from seeing the highest quality manufactured log home completed and delivered on time. The second is inspiring and motivating employees at being the best both personally and professionally.”

Interests: the outdoors, camping, target shooting, paintball, watching his son playing high school football, summertime barbeques, computers, wood working, holidays enjoying family, and a good James Paterson book

February Open House

Many log home enthusiasts attended our Open House last weekend despite the snow and cold weather. What a successful time it was! Beaver Mountain employees enjoyed interacting with the participants during the Mill Tour, Log Building Workshop, and Home Planning Seminar. Many good questions were brought up; this group showed that they are researching the industry, which Beaver Mountain strongly encourages. After learning the basics, the only way to understand and appreciate a product is to see it and meet the people behind it. That's exactly what our Open House is all about.



We would love to introduce you to Beaver Mountain on a future Open House weekend. We'd be honored to spend the day with you showing and sharing what makes Beaver Mountain unique. The next Open House weekend with a Mill Tour, Log Building Workshop, and Home Planning Seminar will take place on March 17 and 18. Learn more or register on our website. In the meantime, if you travel down Route 17 near Hancock, NY be sure to stop in Monday-Saturday from 9:00am-4:00pm; we'd love for you to walk through our three model homes as we welcome you to the Mountain.

Progress on the Mountain

The complete renovation of the Grandview - one of our three model homes - is still progressing and we are so excited with how everything is coming together! Stonework has been laid inside, the kitchen is being designed, flooring is being ordered...

We are also currently remodeling our corporate headquarters: adding offices and a large seminar room that will ultimately be used to better serve you.

The sparkling snow on the ground reflects the lively atmosphere here today: it's our Open House and we love spending the day welcoming visitors to Beaver Mountain with our Mill Tour, Log Building Workshop, and Home Planning Seminar! If you weren't able to attend, please check our calendar for an upcoming date that may work better for you or stop in to see our model homes Monday-Saturday from 9:00am-4:00pm. Be sure to check back here next week: we will be posting pictures from today so that you will be able to join in the excitement! Have a wonderful weekend!

The Difference is in the Details: Drystacking

At Beaver Mountain we pride ourselves on the quality, craftsmanship, and preparation that goes into each one of our homes. After custom-crafting the logs to meet the exact specifications and desires of each client, the home's log walls are pre-assembled (or dry-stacked) in our mill! This allows us to perform another quality assurance inspection of the logs to ensure a proper fit and structural integrity, in addition to aesthetic beauty. Ultimately, it proves that every pre-cut piece of the home fits together flawlessly before it arrives on the building site. Every log is labeled to indicate exactly where it belongs down to its appropriate wall, direction, and row. The house is then disassembled with the logs coming off in reverse order right onto Beaver Mountain pallets so that they will be in the proper order for construction. By paying attention to these details, Beaver Mountain ensures a builder-friendly construction that leads to a higher-quality, tighter and more energy-efficient home.

When the logs are dry-stacked, we invite the clients to our manufacturing facility to see their home prior to delivery, a procedure that is unique to Beaver Mountain. During this time they can personally see their dream home forming!

A BM Home on the Ranch

The Difference is in the Details: A testimonial of Beaver Mountain's integrity

"We wanted to thank you and the rest of the crew at Beaver Mountain for all your guidance and consideration. Throughout the process of identifying a company, designing and modifying a plan, and soon to the final construction of our home, you have all shown great respect for our needs and desires.

In particular, we commend you for a terrific on-site program. Over the years, we have attended several seminars and been through four or five other mills and facilities. We can honestly say that we know your competition. Two things set Beaver Mountain apart from the others. First was the way in which everyone responded to our questions. Answers were clear, direct, and to the point. There were no assurances that ‘oh, we never have problems like that here.’ Instead, we were told how you try to avoid them and then, if they occur, how you resolve them. Our recent contacts with several builders and customers reinforced that claim.

Second, and even more important was the integrity displayed throughout the facilities. Sales persons, mill workers, designers all reflected pride in the product and an absolute refusal to bad mouth the competition. When asked why another company may use a different system of quality control, grading, sealing, or whatever, everyone simply explained the differences and why they felt Beaver Mountain has a better way of doing things. This has become a rare quality in American businesses and we are glad to see it carries on in your company.

Again, you have our thanks and great respect."
–Dennis and Gail Dragich

You are invited to our February Open House

The best way to get to know a company or find out about their product is to pay them a visit. That said, we are holding an Open House from February 16-18 and we would love to personally introduce you to Beaver Mountain located in Hancock, NY!

Take your time walking through our three model homes (always open Monday-Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm, also open Sunday February 18 from 1:00pm-4:00pm). On Saturday, February 17, you will also be able to go on our Mill Tour, attend our Log Raising Workshop, and sit in on our Home Planning Seminar. Find out more on our website.

Although these events are free, we ask that you register online or by calling 1-800-233-2770.

Come to the Mountain and see first-hand that details make all the difference!

Grand Gorge Floor Plan

The Grand Gorge is a beautifully modern home with a spacious interior bathed in natural light. Take a closer look at the 3,000 square foot floor plan below, noticing the blend of open spaces and private places. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-233-2770 if you have any questions, order our planning guide to see 40 more plans like this, or browse the floor plans on our website.

Exterior

First Floor

Second Floor

Corner Styles

One way to make your log home look distinctive is through the corner styles you choose. Following are the five solid log corner styles we offer at Beaver Mountain, each possessing outstanding structural stability and a unique aesthetic.

Butt & Pass Corner, Dovetail Corner:

Saddlenotch Corner, Interlocking Corner:

Posted Corner:

A Winter Wonderland

Log Home Shows

Beaver Mountain is coming to York, PA from January 26-28! You are invited to visit us at Johnson’s Log Homes and Timber Frame Experience as we start the 2007 home show season! It will be held at the Toyota Arena/York Expo Center at the Fairgrounds and our booth will be to the right as you walk in.

Home shows are a wonderful resource to use during your log home planning stage. With a wide selection of companies within the industry, take this opportunity to meet the people, learn more about the product, and obtain literature to read at home.

As you research, keep these questions in mind:

• Will you be able to work directly with the manufacturer?
• Are their logs milled or handcrafted? What corner styles do they offer?
• What does their package include? Are their logs precut and numbered so that your contractor doesn’t have to cut them in the field?
• Are their logs kiln dried to prevent shrinking?

And remember, this process involves more than just the product, it involves relationships as well. You will be working with the company you choose for a long time.

• Is the company reputable?
• Are its people friendly and knowledgeable, taking the time to listen to you and being able to present the information so it’s easy to understand?
• Do they have a full time customer service team that lasts through the home’s completion to assist you with any questions?

With a little preparation, you will be able to make the most out of your day at the show. Stop by booth 403; we'd love to help you make your dream home come alive!

Meet Chris Weyer

Title: Sales Manager

At BM Since: 1999

Background: BA degree from Binghamton University, secondary education, sales and sales management

Best part of the job: "I derive a great deal of satisfaction and pleasure in managing and coordinating a successful home building project. There is nothing better than helping someone take their vision of a dream home and then working together as a team to make it happen!"

Interests: Relaxing with his wife and two little boys, camping, fishing and hiking. He is also an avid sports fan/self proclaimed baseball fanatic who loves heading out to the ballpark to catch a game - a summer tradition he started with his father and now carries on with his sons.

A Beaver Mountain hilltop paradise

"After purchasing property, we explored many building options. Marni's brother referred us to Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Homes. He had been impressed by the beautiful display of model homes on the hillside along Route 17. Our excavator also recommended Beaver Mountain.

We had a very specific vision of the goals that we wanted to achieve for our home. The first time we visited Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Homes we met with Joan Decker. As we discussed our concepts, Joan immediately brought insight to our project. She quickly grasped our vision and enthusiastically worked with us to translate it into a beautifully designed country home that met all of our goals.

From its inception to completion, the process of building our home was a fabulous experience. Joan and everyone at Beaver Mountain did a great job of designing our house and providing us with quality materials."

-Marvin and Marni, Beaver Mountain customers

Yes, Log Homes can be Energy Efficient!

Our recent newsletter explains the energy efficient nature of logs and the extent Beaver Mountain goes through in order to provide a secure log home. Some highlights of the article:

• A study performed by The National Bureau of Standards for the Department of Energy proved that log homes are energy efficient. Results showed that energy use in log homes was 46% lower in the spring and fall than stick-framed and masonry homes.
• Logs are naturally energy efficient. They have tiny pockets of trapped air that help hold in heat. The R-value measures this quality of insulation; the higher the R-value, the more energy efficient the material is deemed to be. Beaver Mountain’s standard 10" log rates at approximately R-13.
• Thermal mass is a log's natural ability to absorb and store heat. In winter the logs absorb heat from interior heating sources and them radiates it back into the house when the temperature drops. Since thicker logs have more thermal mass, our 10" log will do an even better job in keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
• Energy efficiency is dependant on a secure construction. Gasket and sealant applied between our double tongue and groove logs form a secure bond that is tightened further by lag screws. We have engineered a window buck to attach the window frame to the log structure. Beaver Mountain's tight fit of all our log home components eliminates energy loss at crucial locations.

To read the whole article, download the newsletter from our website. For more information, visit the Log Homes Council, Department of Energy, or Energy Star.

Meet John Lanner

Title: Design Consultant
At BM since: 1996

Background: 2 years of high school board drafting, 2 years drafting at Broome Tioga BOCES with CAD, 3 years building homes with custom builder, 1 year working for plumbing and heating contractor

Best part of the job: "I love working directly with our customers to create their very own custom designed Beaver Mountain Log / Cedar Home"

Interests: Hunting, fishing, golf, hiking/backpacking and motorcycles

Happy New Year!

It's 2007! Each new year brings a chance at new beginnings. Perhaps this will be the year you begin the process of owning a log home. We here at Beaver Mountain would be honored to share in it with you, helping you make your dream a reality.

Our vision is to provide extraordinary custom crafted log and timber frame homes to the discerning new home buyer.

Our mission is to exceed expectations by providing exceptional customer and builder service, comprehesive pre-cut premium log and timber components and top quality brand name materials.

Our goal: We are dedicated to "doing the right thing" by treating our customers, builders, business associates, our staff and their families fairly, respectfully and with integrity.

Why wait any longer? Call us today at 1-800-233-2770, e-mail us, or Come to the Mountain to walk through one of our mill tours, attend our home planning seminars, visit our furnished model homes, browse through our showroom, or talk with any of our knowledgable sales consultants. Make 2007 the year your new home dreams come true!

Christmas Open House

Our annual Christmas Open House was held last week for the contractors who build Beaver Mountain homes. After walking through the three model homes and seeing the progress of the Grandview’s construction, they were able to tour the manufacturing facility to have an in-depth look at the way we manufacture our homes: beginning with our detailed engineering layouts, then to our thorough precutting and numbering of each log to its exact specifications, through drystacking. The air was filled with stories as builders and the Beaver Mountain family talked about the past year’s projects and looked forward to what 2007 would hold.

We thank each contractor for ensuring the same quality that we put into a log home’s manufacturing is extended to the building site. There are so many beautiful Beaver Mountain homes all over the northeast and that is due to the talented contractors who build them. Thank you!

Seasons Greetings!

Our staff at the Administrative Offices and Manufacturing Facility

Our staff at the Sales Office and Design Center

From the entire Beaver Mountain family to yours...we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May this holiday season be a joyful time spent with the ones you love!

Our Cedar Ridge Model Home

The Cedar Ridge is one of our three model homes here at Beaver Mountain. With timber frame construction, it beautifully combines the aesthetics of rich cedar wood and the adaptability of drywall. An abundance of glass allows plenty of sunlight to dance among the 1,710 square feet that includes a great room, three bedrooms, and two baths.

Experience the beauty of the Cedar Ridge yourself. Come to the Mountain, located on Route 17 in Hancock, NY. We are open Monday-Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm and will have the coffee on!