Technology & Technique

Log home design has evolved at an incredible rate in the last fifteen years, allowing homeowners an unprecedented degree of choice and creativity. New UV-blocking stains have replaced the large overhanging eaves of thirty years ago, and instead of cinderblocks, homeowners have a number of high-quality options for foundation materials, such as styro-formed concrete. Add to these modern incentives the freedoms of open-concept design that log home owners have been enjoying for centuries. At Winterwood, we combine new technologies with tried-and-true craftsmanship to offer you a truly unique home to call your own.

Energy Efficiency

In a stick framed house, energy efficiency (measured in R-value) is determined by the amount and type of insulation between the interior and exterior walls. As the house ages, this insulation settles and can allow drafts and mildew to develop.

A log home, on the other hand, relies on the naturally robust insulation of the logs to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Unlike foam or fiberglass insulations, a log home's energy efficiency is determined by its cellular structure -- which is naturally resistant to air leakage and heat transfer -- and by thermal mass.

Thermal mass refers to the tendency of dense materials to resist changes in temperature. Because log walls are much heavier and denser than conventional 2x4 stud walls, they effectively combat sudden changes in temperature, reducing energy consumption dramatically. A log home stays warm through long winter nights and keeps you cool through hot and humid summer days.

In addition, a log wall tightens up as it settles, becoming even stronger and more efficient over time. The result is lower energy bills for the homeowner and a cozy, comfortable, and healthy environment for your family all year long.

Round log construction

The art of log building dates as far back as the great halls of the Vikings and Norse, and the enduring warmth and character of a log home are still simply unbeatable. Today there is an enormous variety of joints and finishes available to the builder, but not all log homes are created equal.

At Winterwood, our philosophy is to use whole logs in their natural shape -- we don't machine them to uniform dimensions. We join each piece by hand using state-of-the-art tools and centuries-old craftsmanship, and we buy our logs direct from Canadian forests and handle every stage of construction from peeling the bark to staining the finished product, so you can be absolutely sure of the quality of your dream home.

We're proud to offer competitively priced, custom built log homes in a variety of styles that all incorporate the natural beauty of the logs. After all, isn't that the reason for choosing a log home?

Dovetail construction

The dovetail joint is a marvel of early engineering: precision cut tails form a strong air- and water-tight joint. The simple symmetry of well-made dovetail joints make a beautiful complement to the patterned lines of hand-hewn log walls. Practically and aesthetically, a dovetail home or cabin is simply timeless.

Before the joinery begins, each log is hand picked and cut to length before our craftsmen hew or "adze" each piece on one or both sides. The result is a unique piece that will be specially fitted to its mates above and below. Once the joinery and assembly are complete, each piece is marked and the whole cabin is loaded onto a truck headed for your lot. Because all of the pieces have been pre-cut -- they can even be pre-finished! -- the raising can often be completed in a single day: the pieces snap together before your eyes.

Just as with a round log home, the final phase is to choose from among the dozens of stain and chinking colours to suit you and your new home.

Finishing your log home

As a licensed distributor of the entire Perma-Chink® family of products, Winterwood stocks a wide variety of colours of both stain and chinking. The original Perma-Chink®, now available in eight colours, is the industry standard for log building in any climate: its unique rubberized cement formula looks like traditional chinking but has the flexibility to keep drafts out through the expansion and contraction of log shrinkage and seasonal temperature change. Lifeline stains, specifically designed for log application, offer advanced protection against seasonal extremes and UV damage in sixteen beautiful colours.
For a rough idea, try out different colour combinations with our mix-and-match utility, below. As your home is being built, you can visit us and look at real colour samples on the same wood used to make your home!
Please note, the colours given are a rough approximation and will vary according to wood species. For more information on our complete range of Perma-Chink® products, please contact us directly.

Mix and match chink and stain colours with our interactive swatches.

Roof Systems

The perfect complement to your new log home, our custom-built rafter and truss systems add a dramatic sense of space without sacrificing intimacy or warmth. Vaulted ceilings supported by beautiful hand-crafted wood not only make your home feel much larger and more comfortable, but also add enormous value and improved circulation. In addition to the aesthetic appeal, the extra sleeping and storage space of a loft makes good practical sense.

Just like every other part of your custom-built Winterwood home, the roof system can take any of a number of forms according to your tastes--they might be rustic hand-hewn or reclaimed beams, oiled timbers or dramatic half-round logs to name a few. A handcrafted roof system is also a terrific way to add character and charm to a conventionally-built home.

Because at Winterwood we're eager to make your home unique, we encourage you to be creative with tasteful accents. Trusses and loft railings are the perfect areas to use your imagination, whether it be with gnarled branches, carvings, burls, or exotic woods.

Visit our photo gallery or call us for an idea of just how much a Winterwood roof system can add to your dream home.