Learning Center

WHAT KIND OF LOGS DO YOU USE?

Northern white cedar grows abundantly in the forests of Maine; according to technical data from the USDA Forest Products Lab Wood Handbook, it is one of the warmest of woods, having a high insulation value. Northern White Cedar is also naturally insect and weather resistant. It does not need stain or preservative, but takes it well for a beautiful finish.

What is included in the home/cabin package?

Our package includes the materials to build a structurally-complete, weather-tight shell on your foundation, including windows, exterior doors, decks, exterior trim, floor framing and sub-floor, roof framing and sheathing, roof shingles, material to frame interior partitions and stairs (temporary treads), and the hardware to assemble the house. We do not include interior finishes (a variety of interior pine is offered as an option), insulation, mechanical systems, masonry items, cabinets, or fixtures.

CAN WE BUILD IT OURSELVES?

You may if you wish - many customers with building experience have. We provide blueprints, construction manual, and specifications sheets. We also have a construction consultant available that can speak with you or your builder. He can walk you, or your builder, through the process of building a Maine Cedar Log Home package.

Many of our dealers are experienced builders as well and will work closely with you to see that your building goes up without any problems.

In addition, we also have Certified Maine Cedar Log Home builders that we recommend in many areas. They are willing to complete as much, or as little of the construction as you would prefer.

WHAT KIND OF FOUNDATION DO I NEED?

A Maine Cedar Log Home may be constructed on any conventional foundation - slab, full or daylight basement, etc.

HOW ARE THE LOGS MILLED?

After the logs have been sawn, they are milled at our factory. Our own profile is milled on three sides with a half-inch groove in the bottom edge and matching tongue on the top edge. Each log then has a hand-hewn finish applied to the surface.

CAN WE CHANGE THE DESIGN?

Certainly! All of our standard models are easily modified, or you can do as many do, and custom design your own home. If you have a sketch or ideas you want to incorporate, our design team will create a conceptual plan and a free estimate for your home.

HOW DO YOU DELIVER?

Generally, we can deliver within 6-8 weeks from date of order. We schedule the delivery when you are ready for it. On long deliveries, we use 48 ft. tractor-trailers; it is the customer's responsibility to arrange for unloading; we allow 2-3 hours to unload, and although 5 or 6 people can usually accomplish the job in that time, we recommend a light crane or forklift. Shipping rates are based on the loaded mile and we will gladly quote you estimated rates.

On local deliveries, within a 50-mile radius of our plant, our 20 ft. truck will make several deliveries, as needed. In all cases, the site and roads must be accessible. On local deliveries, no customer assistance is needed in unloading.

WHAT ABOUT PREFABRICATION?

Prefab is usually the preferred way to build, saving many hours of on-site labor. We manufacture walls 4' to 16' long, with doors and windows installed and logs applied to the exterior. Gable panels are prefabricated and strict quality control assures you a well-built, quality home. Most of the homes we sell are prefabricated. Through the use of overlapping and splice logs, today's prefabricated log homes look nearly identical to a site built home.

WHERE CAN I SEE ONE OF YOUR HOMES?

We have a display home that we use as our sales office at the factory. We are open year-round, 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday, and Saturdays by appointment only.

Additionally, we have a model home located on the banks of a river across the street at our South Windham location. A lot of our customers are happy to show their home and many of our Authorized Dealers have display models as well. Generally, we can provide you with their name and address, and arrange for a time for you to look at their log home.

WHAT OPTIONS DO YOU OFFER?

Our personnel can discuss many options with you - including choice of windows, doors, and other components; you may want to add skylights, or a greenhouse. These and many other options are available.

DOES YOUR COMPANY FINANCE THE HOMES?

We don't finance our log homes, but our personnel or dealers can recommend financial institutions and plans. There are several methods of payment for your log home and attractive discounts are sometimes offered.

WHAT ABOUT A BUILDER?

In most areas, our sales people can recommend builders that have experience building our log homes. Most of our Authorized Dealers are either builders or can also recommend reputable experienced contractors.

We have Certified Maine Cedar Log Home builders that we recommend in many areas. They have experience building our home packages and are willing to complete as much, or as little of the construction as you would prefer (just the shell, turn-key, or anything in between).

If you have already been working with a builder, we would be happy to send them the construction manual, give them a tour of our manufacturing facility and model home, and answer any questions they may have. We also have a construction consultant available that can speak with your builder. He is a wealth of knowledge regarding the construction of our homes, and can help your builder through the process of building a Maine Cedar Log Home package.

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

If you have additional questions, please contact our sales staff at 1.800.427.5647 or info@mainecedarloghomes.com.