Log home Q&A
TRUE NORTH STRONG
Do log homes require a lot of maintenance? True North log homes require no more maintenance than a conventional home. With True North’s patented systems, there are no adjustments, and you’ll never need to chink or caulk your home. Their durable proprietary Stain Lock infusion technology saves time and labour during construction and helps avoid maintenance down the road.
This award-winning, globally admired log home manufacturer is based right here in Bracebridge, Ont. True North Log Homes is a third-generation family owned and operated company that has been manufacturing award-winning log homes and cottages since 1986. From their home base here in Bracebridge, Ont., True North has grown in popularity around the world, with satisfied customers across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. The family doesn’t just talk the talk, they live it: “My grandparents, parents, brother, and I all live in True North log homes,” says marketing manager Mark Wrightman. While building log homes is a centuries’ old technique, True North is at the forefront of technological innovation, with dozens of patented technologies, including Log Lock—a compression spring system that eliminates that need for caulking, chinking, or annual adjustments that other log homes require. Their customers have peace of mind with the company’s digital inventory control system that captures images of every component, tracking them from the factory to the job site. “We do everything from a small hunting cabin in the woods right through where budget is no object,” says Wrightman. The
8
P R O M OT I O N A L S E C T I O N
company is responsible for building some of the largest log structures in the world, including one under construction in our own backyard: a 14,000 sq. ft. home with dual three-car garages in Haliburton. “It’s very unique. The master suite is a separate structure connected to the building by a glass breezeway,” says Wrightman. Regardless of a log home’s size, its thermal mass means it’s more economical to heat and cooler than a conventional building in warmer temperatures, an important factor for buyers concerned about energy use and sustainability. The logs themselves are sustainably harvested from local suppliers (Eastern white pine from Quebec and Ontario; Western Red Cedar and Douglas fir from B.C.) and sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified mills. True North is highly regarded in the home-building community, and has won numerous industry awards to back that up, including four 2020 BSC Jerry Rouleau Awards for Home Design at the U.S. National Association of Home Builders, and the 2019 Best Log & Timber Home of the Year, a “People’s Choice” award selected by the readers of Log & Timber Home Living magazine.
Are log homes complicated to construct? Definitely not. With True North’s precision computer-aided manufacturing and digital inventory control system, their packages are clearly labelled for efficient installation. Stacking the log portion of an average-sized log home only takes a couple of days.
BUILDING ON THE CABIN SERIES Last year, True North introduced the Cabin Series of two- and three-bedroom structures ranging in size from 800 to 1,500 sq. ft. “Our objective was to offer high-end quality but remain accommodating to those with smaller budgets,” says Wrightman. “They’ve proven to be very popular, particularly the Arrowhead design.” Unlike with True North’s other custom plans, clients opting for the Cabin Series are not allowed to make changes. This helps keep costs down, while also speeding up the timeline between purchase, construction, and move in. truenorthloghomes.com | (800) 661-1628
Are log homes environmentally friendly? Definitely. All the True North logs are sustainably harvested and milled in Canada. The company’s patented sealing systems guarantee an airtight building envelope, while the logs’ thermal mass helps reduce heating and cooling costs. Plus, the logs sequester carbon while in use, and centuries later the lumber can be re-milled into other products. Can I afford a log home? True North log homes are comparably priced to any other well-built custom home. The new Cabin Series offers options for clients looking for a more economical choice.
Call, visit the website, or stop by the True North Log Homes booth at the Spring Cottage Life Show to find out more information.
S P R I N G C O T TAG E L I F E S H OW M A R C H 26 -2 9, M I S S I S S AU G A
9