We have been blogging about the gorgeous log home showpiece known as Treasure at the Lake and we're here for another installment!
Mountain Creations Log Homes features complete custom design as a part of our log home package price. For more information call us at 800.661.5647!
At Mountain Creations Log Homes, our customers can choose any basement system they prefer and one of the top choices is the Superior Walls System. With knowledgeable, cost-effective and time-effective local suppliers across the country, this option is widely used for all types of construction.
Here’s what you need to know about Superior Walls:
• Superior Walls are precast concrete wall panels that are formed in a factory and are delivered and installed in a matter of hours
• Superior Walls come already insulated, water-proofed and hold a 15 year warranty
• Customization is a popular option with walls varying in height, lengths and completely custom openings for windows and doors
• Superior Walls carry the NAHB Green Product Certification
• These precast walls eliminate on-site soil contamination and jobsite waste
• Reduced energy leakage in Superior Walls leads to reduced energy costs
• Each Superior Walls panel features built in holes for wiring & plumbing as well as stud-face nailers for finishing the interior of your basement walls
For more information on building your Mountain Creations Log Homes with this energy-efficient basement system please call 800.661.5647 or email us at info@mountaincreations.com
You can look for Superior Walls this Sunday, October 9th on Extreme Makeover Home Edition!
Be sure to follow our blog for more in our series of "Building Treasure at the Lake"
Follow along as the beautiful Mountain Creations Log Home is constructed at Treasure Lake in Western Pennsylvania.
This magnificent home boasts an incredible view of the lake, a private wooded lot, panoramic walls of glass, a master suite with an outdoor shower, five guest bedrooms, glass floors in the loft, an expansive great room, two pantries and three fireplaces and two kitchens!
We will update the blog as the construction process continues and this home turns into a masterpiece.
For more information on custom designing your dream log home visit Mountain Creations Design Center or call us at 800.661.5647.
Building a log home has always been something that has appealed to wide range of people and for that reason there is more information out there than any person could read in an entire lifetime! Mountain Creations Log Homes is here to help answer any of the common questions and dispell some of the common myths about log homes.
TRUE OR FALSE...Log Homes are hard to insure...
The answer is FALSE! At one time there wasn't enough information available regarding how log homes would fare in the event of a fire. This lack of knowledge caused some difficulty with insure companies a few decades ago. This has long passed and our Cedar Log Homes are insured just as you would any other custom built home. In fact, more recent studies and articles have found that log homes have even been passed over in forest fire situations! Popular companies such as Nationwide have been insuring our log homes for years.
TRUE OR FALSE...Log Homes are cheaper to build than modular...
While everyone loves to save money the common misconception that log homes are cheaper to build than modular or cheaper than buying pre-existing is FALSE. We offer our customers that absolute best price available in the industry paired with customer service that can't be beat but we are up front and honest with our customers regarding the pricing of log homes. Our homes typically finish between $125-$155/square foot. However, we have had customers beat this price by doing most of the work themselves.
TRUE OR FALSE...Log Homes are high maintenance...
Mountain Creations Log Homes are built with quality Northern White Cedar logs. The only maintenance on our log homes is the exterior stain which is to be applied every 4-6 years. Maintenance on log homes does vary from specie to specie so do your research before you buy! Cedar is ranked by the US Dept. of Forestry as one of the top woods to build with mainly because of its lack of settling, warping, shrinkage and moisture. It's the driest wood on the stump in North America and that equals low maintenance living.
TRUE OR FALSE...Log Homes are Energy Efficient...
TRUE! Mountain Creations Log Homes premium Northern White Cedar logs coupled with a substantial roof system creates an energy efficient log home that will be standing long past our generation. Cedar is ranked as having one of the highest R-Values and our roof system offers a R-40 system that will surely keep you warm through the winter months.
We are happy to help answer of the questions you have so please forward any questions to info@mountaincreations.com
We look forward to hearing from you or seeing you at one of our upcoming Open Houses!
Stay tuned for our next blog..."Home for the Holiday: A Guide to Building During Winter Months"
800.661.5647
We spend so much of our times in and around our homes that you want to feel comfortable that you are surrounding yourself with a healthy environment. Log Homes are a great way to incorporate a healthy, clean, green life.
A Healthy House
Northern White Cedar boasts some amazing building properties, but its health benefits aren’t anything to forget about. Saunas have long been made out of cedar and for good reason. Not only does the steam help rid the body of toxins but cedar wood essential oils are among the healthiest. The essential oils of cedar have long been known for its soothing and calming effects in addition to reducing inflammation, relieving insomnia and repelling insects.
The properties of cedar are far reaching, just think of all the products made from cedar…Cedar chests have been used for generations to prevent moths from getting to clothing and shoe horns are often made from cedar because of its ability to fight odors.
The other big component to a healthy house is not inviting chemicals into your home. Cedar is naturally impervious to wood-boring insects and requires no harsh chemical treatment like Pine. Cedar doesn’t even require staining but most of our customers choose to stain to keep the color fresh.
Ways to use your “leftovers”
A big part of living a healthier, cleaner life is how you make use of the things around you. We provide plenty of extras in our log packages to make sure you are covered, but this means you have leftover cedar. Here are some new ideas…
• Build a Compost Bin-The great bacteria resisting properties of Cedar make it a perfect compost bin, keeping all that “stuff’ tucked nicely inside a bin that matches your home and keeps you working towards a healthier environment.
• Mulch-Cedar makes great mulch around shrubs and gardens. It is tolerant of acidic environments and looks beautiful.
• Cooking-We have all seen western red cedar planks for grilling foods on. Chefs have recently found that White Cedar has a great taste and aroma. If you love salmon, try soaking your cedar in water up 2 hours, then placing it in the oven to preheat. (This is an important part of the process). Once preheated place your salmon & seasonings on the cedar board and bake!
If you’ve always wanted to live a healthier lifestyle but wasn’t quite sure how, a Mountain Creations Log Home is a great place to start. Call us today for more information. 800.661.5647
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With costs constantly changing in today’s market it is important for our customers to know exactly what everything costs.
The Main Components-
• Log Package-The Mountain Creations log package includes o Exterior Log Wall System (Standard 6 x 6 “D” Log, 19 courses), matching Log Profile Siding for Dormers, Gables and Bandboard. o Second Floor System including Exposed Heavy Beam Ceiling Joists, Exposed Heavy Timber Posts, Heavy Steel Joist Hangers (where required) and 2 x 6 Tongue & Groove Decking. o Roof System (R 40) including Exposed Heavy Timber Rafters (32” oc), Exposed Heavy Timber Collar Ties, Exposed Heavy Timber Posts, 1 x 4 NWC Tongue & Groove Roof Decking, 7 ½” Polystyrene Insulation Panels. o Interior Wall System-1 X 4 NWC Tongue & Groove to cover all interior partition walls, interior of Log Sided Gables, and interior of Log Sided Dormers. o Porch Roof System (where applicable) including Exposed Heavy Timber Rafters, Exposed Heavy Timber Posts, Exposed Heavy Timber Beams, 2 x 6 NWC Tongue & Groove Decking, 5/4 x 4 NWC Decking (Porch Floor) o Miscellaneous-Log Wall Accessories, Free Custom Design Service with Construction Blueprints, Construction Manual, Sikkens Cetol 1 Exterior Stain So what does all of that mean? What do I still have to purchase? While we include a ton of material in our Log Packages, we don’t include things that don’t make sense! Lots of log companies fill their log packages with miscellaneous items like framing lumber, shingles and sometimes even windows that can end up causing you problems and costing you money. We have set up relationships with the vendors directly so that you save directly on these items! Here’s the breakdown of what else you need to purchase:
• The Lumber Package-The lumber package consists of all of the materials that we don’t manufacture that are necessary for the under roof construction of your log home. These items include but aren’t limited to framing & subfloor materials, steel beam, glue-lam beams, decking materials, interior doors & trim, insulation for conventionally framed areas, roof trusses, gutters and shingles.
• Windows & Doors- You can include this with your lumber package, but most of our customers choose to go to our Pella Windows representative directly. We will work with you and your window company to ensure the proper rough openings for your construction blueprints.
• Basement Slab & Basement Walls
• Labor Costs- Under Roof, roofing and decking Inside the House- Once you get the house under roof you have the option to hire your contractor for all of the finish work or you can do some of the work yourself. We try to tailor each project to fit your budget and skill level.
• Electric
• Plumbing
• Heating
• Flooring
• Interior Labor
• Fireplace
• Electric & Plumbing Fixtures
• Appliances, Cabinets & Vanities
Other Possible Costs-
• Garage Doors
• Staining Labor
• Exterior Stone Veneer
When we are pricing out your home we take in account the sweat equity you plan to put in your home as well as the personal touches you desire. We will sit down with you during the design phase to get a clear picture of the details you would like to incorporate and let you know what they might cost.
We have gone through all the components to our log homes, let’s talk about what it costs…
Most Mountain Creations Log Homes will finish between $125-150/square foot. That means that our popular Diamond Lake typically costs between $235,000 and $250,000, completely finished. This does not include land, excavation, well, septic, hookups or improvements to the land. We are happy to help you obtain these costs however.
Call us today to talk about pricing our your dream log home! 800.661.5647
Specialized Log Home Financing
Every day we get asked similar questions but everyone’s situation is very different! Let us help you sort through all of the financing quandaries you have…
- Owner-Builder Loans-This is a loan where the customer acts as the General Contractor themselves and handles all the payments to the subcontractors. This is a great way to save money and Mountain Creations will help you through the process. Even more, owner-builder loans have become few and far between but we have worked with the same bank for over 10 years and can provide our customers with this specialty service in the Western Pennsylvanian region.
- Conventional Construction Loan- With this type of loan program you hire a General Contractor, either one of your choosing or you can use one of ours, and they facilitate the construction of the house from start to finish. This is a great option for the customer that doesn’t plan on being as hands-on and has the money to spend on a project manager.
- Specialized Loans- With the changes in the economy over the past few years there has been some huge changes in the banking world. We can help you locate financing locally and nationally to suit your needs. From no-doc loans to private investors, we can help you locate and place financing with our network of banks nationwide.
If you have gone to your “big-box” bank and asked about their Construction loans you probably left confused and thinking it’s impossible to build a log home. Let Mountain Creations Log & Timber Homes make it easy, we will help you through the process and set you up with quality, established banks that are willing to help you on a personal level and take care of your financing needs.
Call us at 800.661.5647 today for more information!
An important part of the construction process is organization and keeping progress moving in a forward direction. Mountain Creations Log Homes helps you from start to finish. Here are some things every new home owner should know:
• Getting to the Construction Phase-The first few steps in the process are paramount in starting a good working relationship with your builder and subcontractors. We will introduce you to our sub-contractors or start to build a relationship with the ones you have chosen. The preliminary blueprinting phase typically takes 2-3 weeks. You then have the opportunity to make all the changes you like prior to going to Final Construction Blueprints. Once you have gone to final prints we will assist you by compiling a Construction Estimate that outlines all of the other line items most log home companies like to “leave out”. We can also assist you with obtaining pricing for excavation and land related items if you request our help. Once the design phase is complete you will be well under way with the financing process and the bank will work with an appraiser to finish the details of the loan and go to closing.
• What happens after Closing?- Typically we will deliver the Log Package 2-3 weeks after closing. We will be on hand to inventory and help facilitate that operation of the package delivery. During this 2-3 week time period after closing your basement walls and steel beam are usually installed. Once we deliver the log package, your builder is ready to go on the construction of your log home.
• How long does it take for my house to be built?- Most of our homes are under roof in 6-8 weeks, sometimes even less time. The time frame from start of construction to finish usually ranges from 4-6 months for a 1500-2000 square foot home. As the under roof of your home is in progress the plumber, electrician and builder will work together to ensure everything is done in a timely manner. One advantage to using our subcontractors is that they all have a very good working relationship and work to keep the process moving along for you.
•My house is under roof, what next?- Once your home is under roof the next step in the process is dependent on how you want it to go. If you have hired one of our builders to General Contract the house from start to finish they will line up all of the subcontractors and make sure you have all of your plumbing fixtures, etc picked out to complete the inside of your home. If you are acting as the General Contractor yourself you may choose to have the under roof builder do some of the finish work or you may do it yourself. We can help you organize this process and make decisions based on our years of experience.
•Once the house is complete…Once your home is complete we will be happy to show your home! We offer referrals to all of our customers who wish to do so. If you wish to keep your privacy, we were happy to work with you and are always here if you have any questions about your home. Enjoy life in your new log home!
Mountain Creations offers 40 standard plans in addition to the freedom to custom design your home just the way you like…for Free! Once you sign a Log Order Agreement with Mountain Creations, the design process begins! The design process can range from changing a few interior partition walls to a complete overhaul of the exterior design including porches, decks and window layouts.
Here are some ways you can save money with your custom design:
• Keep it Simple-There are hundreds of beautiful floor plans on the web that boast changing rooflines, intricate layouts, and a large number of corners. While they may be beautiful, they are costly! By following a single roof line and keeping the number of corners to four you can save thousands of dollars. We can help you add the character and charm you are looking for in a home by finding out what is most important to you in a home and highlighting those elements.
• Porches, Decks and Extras-Porches and decks are often an important part of the home to the customer that enjoys the fresh air but remember when designing your outdoor living space that these extras can add up quickly. Most all of our standard plans have a porch or a deck, but you will see that we try to reduce complexity. Follow simple lines, minimizing angles and incorporating the roof lines to create a streamline and cost-efficient design.
• Standing Seam Metal Roof-There has been a large demand, even in the northern states, in the last decade for standing seam metal roofs. They are beautiful, but they do have their drawbacks. First of all, they are expensive, sometimes costing 3 times more than a 30 year roof shingle.
• Garages-You can find a garage in almost every home these days, but there’s a big difference in price depending on the design. Attached garages can cost over $20,000 with free-standing, detached garages costing over $30,000. By using the basement space you already have, you can create an integral garage for just the added cost of the garage doors, which is typically $2,500.
Often times the term 'custom design' has taken a bad rap in past years for meaning overpriced designs and months or even years of design, but Mountain Creations is making it easy and cost effective. We can help get you through the design process and started building your log home in as little as a few weeks. Lynda Schneider, our resident designer, has helped over 600 customers design their perfect log home.
Join the Log Home Academy or contact a Mountain Creations family member for more information on how to get started with your log home design. 800.661.5647
Email me at ksnyder@mountaincreations.com with any questions you may have!
Mountain Creations Log Homes is please to announce our National Log Home Price Break. What does this mean for you?
- Best Cedar - our log home packages feature premiere quality Northern White Cedar giving you a truly solid cedar log home. NWC is decay resistant, doesn't twist or wrap, and is durable as it is beautiful.
- Best Designs - MCLH offers the best log home plans in the industry. We also offer FREE custom design service so your log home will fit all of your exact needs.
- LOWEST PRICES - our cedar log home package prices cannot be beat for the materials we provide. Compare and decide for yourself why Mountain Creations is your ONLY choice for quality and price.
Mountain Creations Log Homes is your complete log home guide and resource for building your dream cedar l og home. MCLH is a family owned and operated supplier of quality cedar log home packages at affordable prices. MCLH offers Nature's Best, Northern White Cedar, for all of our log home packages. Whether you are looking to build a log cabin nestled in the woods, a lakeside log home estate, or anything in between, you've come to the right place.