Where do your log packages come from?

We get our log packages from Beaver Log Homes, a family-owned mill in northern Michigan where they have been milling quality red pine log home packages for over 20 years. Local, fresh-cut full-round logs are rough turned and kiln dried, then precision milled with double tongue & grooves and saddle notch corners. The logs are pre-cut to fit your house plan, drilled for thru-bolts, and dipped in temporary preservative before shipping. A draw-knife “hand peeled” finish is also available. The building system is designed to accommodate a small amount of settling in the log walls. Closed-cell foam tape and die-cut foam gaskets between logs, held in compression with spring-loaded thru-bolts, insure a weather tight home.

What does your log package include?

Our packages include design assistance, custom plans, pre-cut, full-round pine wall logs, thru-bolts and springs, and options such as hand-peeled log beams and posts, log floor joists, log stairs, log railing, log trusses and rafters, half-log siding, and on-site technical assistance to erect the logs.

Bears Den is an authorized dealer for Enercept Structural Insulated Panels for your roof. These 10 or 12 inch thick foam panels make the strongest, most energy efficient roof we know of.

Our packages do not include non-log components like windows, doors, cabinets, floor trusses, plywood, framing lumber, or shingles. We believe you will get the best price and service on these items from local suppliers.

How much does a log home cost?

Log homes cost about the same as any other better quality custom home. Your turnkey price will depend on your selection of items like doors, windows, kitchen and bath furnishings, floor coverings, and fireplace treatments. Each of our packages is custom manufactured for the plans you approve. The log package cost varies depending on your selection of the log diameter, and options such as log railings and stairs, log roof members or log loft structure, and garage. We’ll be glad to give you an estimate from your plan or rough sketch.

What about floor plans?

We have a selection of distinctive designs on our floor plans page.  Treat them as a place to start or as the perfect plan.  Or, bring us a photo or a sketch of your ideas to provide a starting point and we'll help you put it together.

After getting the basics identified, an experienced log home designer will prepare preliminary plans for your review.  When the prelims are revised to your satisfaction, detailed construction blueprints that meet the building codes in your area will be completed.

Are log homes energy efficient?

Yes. Modern weather-tight log building systems like ours are efficient. Log walls have been tested by the National Bureau of Standards, HUD, US Dept. of Energy, and the national Model Energy Code, assisted by the National Association of Home Builders Log Homes Council. The conclusion was “the thermal mass of log walls is an energy-conserving feature” and “log houses are as energy efficient as well-insulated frame houses,” even though the log walls average R-value was lower than the frame walls rated R-value. Thermal mass makes the difference.

Thermal mass is a material’s capacity to absorb, store, and slowly release heat (or cold in the summer) over time. Logs, because of their mass, allow heat to be released back into the house each time the outside temperature drops.

Who will build my new log home?  Can I do it myself?

Many of the homes we've sold have involved the owners doing all or part of the work.  With our assistance, an owner/builder with some building background, or a local contractor with little or no previous log experience can successfully build your home with our pre-cut package. Often we can recommend contractors we've worked with.

Our log packages always include on-site technical assistance, precision milled pre-cut logs and a proven construction system. An experienced log builder will be there to help your contractor, carpenter or you and your friends stack the logs.  We're always available to answer questions, make recommendations, or help with problems.