Southern Log Crafters owner, Cecil Stubbs has been
constructing log and timber frame homes to the ‘dry-in’ stage for over twelve
years. He and his crews have worked on
every product type in the industry, from the pre cut ‘D’ and ‘Square’ log
packages to the ‘handcrafted in the field’ products where only lineal foot of full
round log is sent and all notching must be crafted ‘on site’. They have and continue to work for some of
the larger and more stable log and timber dealers, manufacturers and general
contractors in the industry today.
Throughout his time in the log and timber industry he has
noticed two major concerns with potential customers –
(1) Settlement, although many providers have taken
steps to drastically reduce this issue it still remains a major concern for
potential customers in the form of ‘compaction’, and continues to have the
creaking, cracking and, movement associated with the settlement of wall logs.
(2) Upkeep, again, the preservative products of today
far exceed those of yester-year, but many customers only want to do it once in
their lifetime, when their home is constructed.
They do not wish to inspect or hire someone to inspect the exterior wall
logs for checks, cracks, or damage resulting from exposure to the elements. – Both
of these concerns have deterred many potential customers from the purchase of
their dream log and timber home package and ultimately most in this scenario settle
for a custom stick-built home that was not, and probably is not, what they
initially envisioned.
In late 2007 Cecil spawned the idea of constructing a post
and beam style log structure with mortise and tenon joinery techniques as in
timber frame homes. This method would
consist of using full round structural logs, SIPS or insulation panel exterior
walls and, SIPS or insulation roof panels for both structural and insulation
properties that would benefit the customer for years to come. All designs when using these ‘skins’ would
meet ‘energy star’ rating and will induce tax breaks and monthly energy saving
for the customer. And, this could only
work by being a completely ‘green’ and ‘natural’ building process that utilizes
only easily renewable resources, lasts for decades and, are completely
recyclable.
To bring this idea to fruition, Cecil contacted his friends at
Goshen Timber Frames, Bonnie and David Pickartz. They have been innovators in the timber frame
industry for over ten years; Bonnie also currently sits on the board of
directors for the Timber Frame Business Council as the Vice President. With their assistance a partnership and, the
Traditional Log Frame™ home were born. ’s design team has
begun to produce several ‘modified’ timber frame plans with the state of the
art “Dietrich’s” design software that works perfectly for the Traditional Log
Frame™ home scenario. “We can design or modify
any plan and even provide the customer with a 3D ‘walk through’ of their home
design” remarked Bonnie. “The beauty of this is that the customer has
both companies on their side with their combined experience and understanding
of the complex nature of this building style” Cecil says. “I would only trust the finest design team
and handcrafters in the industry to help our customers obtain their dream home
and that’s exactly what we have with our combined staffs.”
Some extremely appealing factors for potential customers is
that the cost is comparable to that of a timber framed home and much less
expensive than a handcrafted full log wall structure of equal size and
complexity. There are no settlement
issues because of the post and beam design and no worries of bug damage or rot
because none of the structural log components are exposed to weather. Any siding may be applied to the exterior to
reduce upkeep. And, the ‘on site’
installation can normally be completed in just a few days, drastically reducing
exposure to the elements and potential mold and mildew issues as with
completely ‘site built’ structures.