Hideaways Muskoka 2016 - A Touch of Technology - True North Log Homes

COTTAGE COUNTRY

HAND DELIVERED TO THE COTTAGE DOCKS OF MUSKOKA’S LARGEST LAKES

Grand Ef iciency

Take a walk with us as we explore one of North America’s largest LEED Certified Log Homes.

A tour of the Muskoka Rock Co.’s

latest installations

REBUILD OR RENOVATE? “Sometimes when you have good bones, it’s a shame to knock them down.”

A WICKED SMART BUNKIE THAT REDEFINES GUEST SPACE

Muskoka’s fashion hub • An adventure in cottage décor • Muskoka Springs’ new Lake Rosseau influence

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true north log homes

THE

TOUCH TECHNOLOGY OF

Desi gn and ma n u f act u re b y Tru e N o rt h Log H omes.

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T

echnology affects every aspect of our lives today.

We begin our mornings by checking our mobile phones for tasks and events and rely on the Internet for news and information. It shapes our work and play, hobbies and education, health and fitness … and it has also wielded its profound influence on the way we build our houses.

For instance, the log cabin— an icon of the pioneer lifestyle—has evolved in design and engineering to become a popular contemporary housing choice, particularly in cottage country, where an affinity to nature is a key priority. From mortarchinked hand-hewn timbers to factory-cut interlocking tongue-and-groove to increasingly specialized techniques, the modern log home bears little resemblance to its early predecessors.

LEFT: Oversized log timbers allow for enormous spans and open spaces in this expansive yet gracious living area.

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Progressive Solutions True North Log Homes conceives and develops groundbreaking patented techniques that allow their clients to enjoy the lifestyle without worrying about the maintenance. Their passion for discovering different ways to modernize construction has generated some creative solutions to age-old problems.

“We hold more patents than any other log home manufacturer,” says CEO Rob Wrightman. “And it is through these patents that we improve the technology we offer our clients.” As an example, he explains how they resolved the issue of air leakage in log homes. “Our patented log lock compression system continually locks the logs together through the settlement period,” he says. “This eliminates the need for adjustments, caulking, and chinking.”

“ Our goal is to produce the most maintenance-free log home on the planet” – MARK WRIGHTMAN Marketing Manager TRUE NORTH LOG HOMES

The client’s priorities focused on low energy consumption and environmental soundness.

He was seeking a LEED-certified firm to build a large log home to accommodate visits from his extended family.

A family of entrepreneurs

Respect for the environment

Headquartered in Muskoka, but shipping internationally, True North Log Homes is a thirdgeneration company, started over 30 years ago by father and son team, Ronald and Robert Wrightman.

Now Rob and his sons, Kyle and Mark, are carrying on the tradition and bringing modern technological advances to the process. They are especially enthusiastic about their latest innovation. “Our goal is to produce the most maintenance-free log home on the planet,” says Mark, “and our new pre-finishing process is a real revolution.” The custom-made equipment clear-coats the interior and applies colour to the exterior, all in one pass. This has several advantages. For example, stain is better applied in a climate-controlled environment; the factory process beats the stain into the wood more effectively than hand-staining; and pre-finishing eliminates an extra step, allowing people to move in to their home or cottage much sooner.

True North holds high respect for energy conservation and the delicate balance that protects the ecosystem. “We want to build homes that are healthy for the occupants and good for the environment,” says Rob, “and we are the only log home company that offers a 25-year Zero Air Infiltration Warranty.”

True North’s rustication technique is another advancement in log home construction. “We prepare the logs by planing them smooth and then roughening them for an authentic weathered appearance,” Rob says. Rustication removes the soft part of the grain so the stain adhesion is significantly improved, which extends the stain life. “The log surface still appears to be rough,” adds Mark, “but if you rub your hand along it, you can feel that it’s smooth.”

This zero air infiltration warranty recently caught the eye of a client whose priorities focused on low energy consumption and environmental soundness. He was seeking a LEED-certified firm to build a large log home to accommodate visits from his extended family.

Virtually unheard of in log home construction, LEED certification—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—involves a rating system for environmental responsibility and the efficient use of resources in the design and construction of green buildings. “Criteria include the type of products used, such as low-volatile organic compounds,” Rob explains. “With our ecological philosophy and commitment, we met the stringent requirements, and we were awarded the contract for the home.” In fact, the completed home meets and exceeds basic requirements for LEED certification and is LEED certified to a platinum level.

ABOVE: The grand front entry of this True North Log Home features a large, vaulted log drivethru portico. A unique staircase bridges the gap between the driveway and the porch and grants access to the property’s large outdoor living area.

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The large open beams in the kitchen ceiling reveal the true nature of this property’s heavy timber heritage.

Guest-friendly Comfort, expanse, and ease of maintenance were also prime objectives for this client. A 30-foot soaring ceiling establishes a sense of grandeur in the living room, accentuated by a massive stone fireplace, with skylights in the building’s gabled peak. A unique twig railing on the upper level overlooks the room, with a view of the hefty timbers above the grand sitting area.

Many of the supporting beams maintain the original bark for an organic appeal.

Rustic décor and natural elements prevail throughout the home. The large chef ’s kitchen with two islands showcases an open-beam ceiling. One bedroom is filled with bunkbeds fashioned from full log pillars, while another has a sleeping loft accessed by a wooden ladder. An intriguing canopy twig bed is an interesting feature in a bedroom with gable wood ends, while the master bedroom is both spacious and private with a vaulted ceiling and double-door walkout to the patio.

The lower level has a custom-built and climatecontrolled wine cellar. A games and billiard room with a bar, plus a workout room, provide spaces to relax and wind down. The overall layout easily accommodates a houseful of guests, with full amenities for indoor and outdoor leisure.

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This home has many playful elements that express the owner’s personality. At the main entrance, for instance, there is a large stone slab atop a moat enlivened by carved bear sculptures.

This log cottage reflects the taste and style of a true outdoorsman, showing respect for the natural environs and a dedication to preserving it through construction techniques that share the same values. Technological advances have overcome many of the pitfalls that befell our ancestors in their drafty log homes that required constant vigilance and re-chinking. The evolution is sure to continue, as the Wrightmans energetically pursue new techniques and state-of-the-art equipment that propel the classic log structure into a prominent place as an environmentally sound and stylistically appealing home or cottage, melding the heritage of its past with the discoveries of the future.

ABOVE AND LEFT: The outdoor living spaces are made comfortable with various seating areas and cozy nooks. An expansive porch features a large wood-burning slate fireplace, and the decking and natural treebarked pillars create a true open-air paradise. A few steps lead down to a gathering spot at the fire pit, with a spectacular view of the home.

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