What is your experience?
Lester Log Homes has been building log homes for 12 years, although Dave Lester, owner, has been in the home building business for 22 years.

Does the owner of Lester Log Homes live in a log home?
Yes, Dave Lester, owner of Lester Log Homes, lives in the very first log home that he ever built. Meaning for it to be a spec house, he moved in and loved it so much…he never left. His son Nick Lester, who also works for the company, is currently building a custom made log home.

Do you build the whole house?
Yes, Lester Log Homes is known as “The Complete Builders”. Involved in the building, we are fully involved in the building of your home. We can help acquire permits, shell up the logs, finish the home, install plumbing, heating and cooling, and perform all electrical work. This allows the home owner to work with one company instead of many different sub-contractors.

I’ve heard that log walls shrink and settle. How do you allow for that?
There are several construction techniques used to allow for the shrinkage and settling which can occur in log walls. For example, lag screws are predrilled and countersunk, a settling space is left over all windows and doors, window and door bucks and interior partitions are attached to the log walls with slip joints and a settling space is to be provided around any fireplace that extends through an exterior wall. If recommendations are followed, the natural settling and shrinkage of the logs won’t be a problem.

Do my logs need further treatment after the house if finished?
Yes, any wood which is exposed to the elements needs to be maintained and preserved in order to prevent mold and mildew formation, wood cell decay, insect attack and discoloration caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays. As with other types of homes, gutters and down spouts must be used. You should also pay particular attention to any areas of your log walls that are exposed to backsplash from the ground, air conditioning units, decks, etc. Your frequency of application depends upon the location of your log home and whether it is situated in the deep woods or out in the open. Generally you will need to retreat your log home on a 3 to 5-year schedule.

How Are Plumbing and Wiring Handled in Log Home Construction?
Most of these utilities are run within interior partitions which are constructed from typical framing materials or up through closet spaces. Plumbing pipes are run between floors and within interior partitions. Vertical channels for electrical wiring to switches and outlet boxes located in log walls are drilled onsite as the initial log courses are stacked. The cavities for the wall outlets are generally notched out of your third course logs in the desired locations. The actual wires can be easily 'fished up' later. Notches for any wall switches or light fixtures alongside doors and windows are routed into the log ends before your window and door jambs are installed.

Is a log home energy efficient?
The energy efficiency of a properly built log home has been documented by research such as the study done by the National Bureau of Standards. The study found that a log's "thermal mass" is a very important factor in energy efficiency and can reduce a log home's overall energy needs and expenses by as much as 30 percent when compared to a traditional stick frame home. Thermal mass acts as a 'thermal battery'. During summer it absorbs heat, keeping the house comfortable. In winter the same thermal mass can store the heat from the sun or heaters to release it at night, helping the home stay warm. Why, because it takes longer for temperature to move through a log wall than a wood frame insulated wall. Once a temperature has been established on the inside of a log home it takes longer for that temperature to change so your heating/cooling units cycle less often. The results clearly demonstrate the higher efficiency of a log home compared to insulated frame wall construction.

What style of log is available?
There are many different styles of logs that can be used to build a home and Lester Log Homes is experienced in using many of them. Some examples include:

Things to think about when designing your floor plans:
Although appearance is a very important consideration, there are other questions of equal value in designing a floor plan to fit a family's lifestyle and budget. Some questions to ask yourself include:

• How long do you plan to live in this home? This will help to determine size. Of course, budget will help to determine this, but usually there are several square footage options available within the same budget.
• One-story vs. two stories.
• Formal vs. informal lifestyle.
• In which rooms do you spend most of your time?
• Entry options. Do you normally use the front door or a rear or side entrance? Where do you wish visitors to enter? What kind of weather conditions do you have - perhaps an air-lock entry? Mudroom?
• Bath. How many people have to use the bath in the morning? Consider the location of a bath in relation to the kitchen or entrance areas.
• Closets. A minimum of 4' of closet space per person with extra space needed for sports equipment, seasonal clothing, etc. is suggested. Location to entrances needs to be considered. Where do you want your guests to store their articles?
• Kitchen. How often do you entertain? Do you want to have an island in the kitchen allowing interaction with your guests instead of having your back to them while working at the counter? Do you want an eating area in the kitchen? Appliances, faucets, flooring - how much of your budget do you want to designate for these features? If you spend most of your time here, consider prioritizing which items are most important.
• Garage. Attached or as a separate building, which one works with your site location?
• Loft. This is a very popular feature with log homes. If this is an important space, think about what you will use this area for and plan accordingly.