FAQ

How do the thermal values of walls differ between a Green-Built Conventionally Framed Home and a Massive Log Home?

The thermal U-value of a green-built conventionally framed home is better than the values in solid log homes. In the green-built conventionally framed home, the U-value is 0,21 and for even a massive log wall it is 0,55. However, as a log home stays warm or cool based more on thermal mass principals, comparing just U-values is not an accurate comparison method.

What is the difference between thermal values between Green-Built Conventionally Framed Home and an Insulated Log Home?

The thermal values in a Green-Built Conventionally Framed Home are also better than in an Insulated Log Home.

What is the difference between Conventionally Framed Home and Green-Built Conventionally Framed Home?

In a so called Green-Built Home compared to Standard Conventionally Built Home, the wall structure (plastic + fiberglass) is replaced with natural building mnaterials such as cellulose. In other words in the Green-Built Home the wall structure has no plastic elements.

What is a pre-cut technique?

Pre-cut technique indicates that the wooden parts are cut to the fixed length at the factory. The wooden parts are assembled at the building site. This enables the customer to see how the house is built.

How many centimeters does a laminated log wall settle?

The wall can settle 1 cm per one meter on the wall. The settling will occur during the first two years.

How much will a round log wall settle?

A round log wall will settle a lot more in relation to a laminated log wall. A round log wall will settle about 2 cm per meter on the wall.

What are the differences between spruce and pine log?

A spruce log is less dense and it has less knots than a pine log. A spruce log does not darken while the time passes as much as pine log. The humidity resistance of a spruce log is better, meaning that the wood constituent of a spruce is roughly the same as the heart of a pine log.

What is the price difference between a spruce log and a pine log?

A spruce log is slightly less expensive than a pine log. (Spruce is used less which has an effect on the market price).

What does Honkatalot wood parts delivery mean?

It means that the basic delivery (wood parts delivery) includes the delivery of wooden parts in the house, including windows and doors. (downstairs floors NOT included).

Does Honkatalot offer turn-key projects?

Honkatalot makes so called frame constructions for Log Homes and Green-Built Conventionally Framed Homes. Honkatalot has a large network of cooperatives (building firms etc.). With the cooperation of this network of builders, turn-key projects are also possible.

Is a Log Home more expensive than an Green-Built Conventionally Framed Home?

When buying a Log Home, the costs are slightly higher (greater amount of wood in cubic meters) as compared to an Green-Built Conventionally Framed Home. However, in building a Log Home labor expenses can be cut down as there is no need to add extra insulation to the walls.

Do laminated logs crack?

A laminated log is prepared (glued) from separate sawed heart pieces of logs. This means that the heart of the tree is cut and the natural tension of the tree is eliminated. Therefore cracks in laminated logs are minimal.

What does a Low Energy Home mean?

In a low energy home the insulation thickness is greater in the walls and ceiling, therefore the energy costs are smaller than in a standard conventionally built home..

How enduring is a Log Home?

The oldest homes made from logs can be found in Central Europe (built in 17th century). There are firm traditions in log building, and there are plenty of log homes still occupied in Finland that were built in the beginning of the 20th century. A log home is an investment that will last from one generation to the next.

What is the sufficient thickness of a log for a home that should be fit for  winter living without insulation?

There is more than one answer to this question. The thickness of the log depends on the shape, height etc. of the building. But for example, in Finland, a 1½ story building with 215 mm logs all the way to the first floor ceiling and following upwards with 195 mm post and beam construction, it is possible to build in this fashion without an insulated log system.

Typically a single story log structure does not pass inspection without additional insulation. In this case you might have to provide additional insulation to exterior walls at locations such as pantries, areas which may have  additional moisture/humidity or perhaps a closet. Typically the thickness of the added insulation is 50 mm.

How is the insulation of moist spaces realised in log and conventionally built homes?

The recommendation is that the insulation is done using a cinder block structure, and also for outer walls. A gap of 30 mm is left between the log and block.

What kind of windows and doors are usually used in log and conventionally framed homes?

Usually MSEA-windows are used (wood-aluminium-windows) that have a U-value less than 1,4 W/M2K.
The U-value of doors is also less than 1,4 W/M2K. Mostly the doors are either painted MDF-doors or panel doors.

What would be the most suitable foundation for a house?

Due to local regulations relating to frost lines, usually there are foundation requirements in place.
In the past, a ventilated floor system (rossipohja) was commonly used, but currently a ventilated floor would be too thick to be sensible.