There’s a whole list of troublesome insects out there that prey on log homes built with “wet” woods such as pine and oak. Unless you know what kind of material to build with, your home’s structural integrity could be at stake. Step one to keeping your log home from becoming a very tempting morsel for insects who love to eat wood and make it their home is starting with a wood that’s naturally impervious to wood-boring insects. In this blog we explore what types of bugs could damage your log home, how Cedar stands the test of time and the best prevention methods to keep creeping, crawling, and flying things from causing damage. Bugs that Love Log Homes Wood boring insects are something every log home owner thinks about at least once. They feed on deteriorating wood, so this makes them a symptom more than a problem in and of themselves. These insects create holes and tunnel systems in your home's logs, leaving behind only a little bit of dust. Northern White Cedar combats these pesky issues with all its natural properties! NWC produces oils, which act as a wood preservative and helps resist insects. Within the list below, we cover the most common types of wood-boring insects you could encounter. Most Pine homes require continual ongoing treatment against rot, mold, and insects as it does not have the same properties as Cedar. Carpenter Ants: These ants love living between the logs of a home where water seepage, condensation, and rotting wood are present. You often see these on trees lying down in a state of decay. These little guys don’t actually eat wood, but instead, chew it up and discard it–this leaves behind sawdust like material. The holes that carpenter ants bore are about ¼” in diameter, which is the size of a pencil. Multiple holes and tunnels of this size can do serious structural damage to the logs themselves however, carpenter ants may be a warning sign of a more serious problem. Carpenter Bees : Carpenter bees love to use logs as a sanctuary for their large colonies. If you notice round holes about a ½” wide on the outside of your log home, there’s a good chance that an expansive tunnel system lies just beyond it. These large labyrinths can cause logs to become weaker and the entrance points invite water and moisture which results in rotting wood. If not taken care of properly, future generations of carpenter bees will continue to thrive and cause more and more damage. With a Northern White Cedar home, Carpenter bees will only tend to look for eaves and fascia. Termites: The good news, is if you’re buying from Youngs, you don’t have to worry about these guys! These little bugs are attracted to moisture and love to feed on cellulose–which is an essential component of wood. The only good news about termites attacking your log home is that it’s almost immediately evident. In standard stick-frame houses, it can take years for you to realize that your house has a termite infestation. But in a log home, your logs aren’t hidden by layers of drywall, making it easier to tell if there are termites present. Typically, termites start on the outside of a log structure and work their way in, creating tiny pinholes in your structure and leaving a trail of sawdust behind. Prevention Tips and Tricks What if you build a log home out of Pine already?? Usually, just exterminating bugs is not enough to fix the problem. On top of extermination, you need to figure out why the bugs were attracted to your log home in the first place. Fixing those issues in addition to exterminating the bugs is your best bet. Below are some of the most common prevention tips for carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and termites. Carpenter ants – Eliminating moisture problems and keeping stacked wood away from your home will reduce your chances of an infestation. Borate treatments are also helpful–they can be placed on the ground around your log home and stop infestations in their tracks once the poison is taken back to the nest. Carpenter Bees – Covering the outside of your log home with thicker and heavier finishes will deter these bees from boring into your home. However, if you have existing holes caused by carpenter bees, dusting insecticides into the tunnel entrances and then blocking the hole with caulk or a plug is an effective solution. Termites – To deter these pesky bugs from munching on your home’s logs, make sure there is at least 8” of distance between the ground and the first layer of logs. If the 8” distance is formed out of concrete, that's even better–as termites have a hard time scaling concrete surfaces. Another helpful tip is to spread barrier sand, also known as “termite sand”, around the outside of your home. It’s easy to find at your local hardware store and is relatively inexpensive. This sand will coat the bodies of any termites that are trying to make your home their next meal and will eliminate them, as well as any other termites they come into contact with once they go back to their nest. Bugs? Not here Insects of all kinds can ravage and plunder your home, and rob you and your family of precious peace and sanity. That is why here at Young’s we strive to educate our customers on what to look for and urge them to take precautionary measures to ensure their log homes last for years to come. When you’re ready to turn your dream of owning a log home into a reality, give us a call. We will be happy to help you create a peaceful and tranquil vacation home.

When considering building your dream log home, you may contemplate your environmental impact. From clearing your property to sourcing building materials, everything you choose can and will make a difference. In this blog we cover 4 eco-friendly benefits of log homes–to learn more, keep on reading.

Ask any real estate agent to name the most important thing to consider when buying a home, and the response will be: Location, location, location. Here’s a step-by-step guide to helping you decide the best location for a luxury cedar log home in Western Pennsylvania.

Living in a log home is the ultimate dream. For many that dream is becoming reality–with over 700,000 log homes in the U.S. it’s safe to say log homes are becoming increasingly popular. If you’re interested in a log home, but need some advice before buying a kit from a manufacturer we have your back! In this article we cover key things to know and the benefits of buying directly from a manufacturer.

If you watch old movies, you might have the impression that log homes are dull, dreary and dark inside. While that might have been true back when horses were the only form of transportation, today’s cedar log homes are bright, light and airy. Here, we’ll review log home design elements you can use to give your home a fresh, modern loo k. Embrace Large Windows Many people position their cedar log home to take advantage of a magnificent view. It’s true; a wall of windows lets you enjoy a view of nature without having to step outside. But, that’s not the only benefit of this log home design element. Natural sunlight is one of the easiest ways to brighten your living space. When you meet with your builder, also ask about skylights. If you want to maximize the amount of sunshine your windows bring in, add large windows to the side of your house that faces south.

Independence Day means more than just picnics and fireworks. It’s a time to celebrate and appreciate everything that’s wonderful about this country. Obviously, it's a time to celebrate all of the freedoms we enjoy. Also on that list are the benefits of American-made products. Last year, respondents to a survey said that Americans are willing to spend more on American-made products. Why? Because American-made products are perceived to be of a higher quality. Well, when it comes to building a home, you don’t need to spend more. Did you know an American-made custom cedar home can actually cost less than a traditionally built home? That means you get a superior quality product, for less money. In this article, we’ll outline a few of the key benefits of purchasing an American-made custom cedar home. Avoid Supply Chain Issues At first, the news in 2020 focused on the devastating effect the pandemic caused families on a personal level. Everyone was concerned with the number of people who died from COVID and the images of long lines outside of food banks. As time went on, however, supply chain challenges for U.S. companies who do business in China became apparent. This was especially true for home builders. As the online publication Builder explains, “For the $1.3 trillion U.S. construction industry, its heavy reliance on the global supply chain makes it particularly sensitive to exogenous shocks such as the spread of the coronavirus.” Luckily, the delivery times for American cedar have not changed as compared to conventional lumber. Enjoy a More Economical Alternative We previously wrote about the differences between white pine and white cedar for your custom log home. Another advantage is that pine is experiencing a shortage. Think back to the beginning of the pandemic. Only essential businesses, such as hardware and grocery stores, could still operate. Many people headed to big box stores and bought lumber for home repairs and remodeling. Stuck at home, many thought this was a good way to pass the time. This is part of the reason there’s a shortage of pine. Pine is one of the most popular woods used in crafts and home improvement projects which has driven up the price for pine. There was a huge surge in diy deck construction as well. Pine has to be pressure-treated and treated for insects to be used, making production times even more costly for your wallet and the environment. Plus, when you buy directly from a American cedar log home manufacturer, you can tap into the savings that come from a manufacturer’s ability to purchase materials, products and appliances at a cheaper price. That cost savings is passed on to the homeowner. Receive Personal Support Purchasing a Young’s Cedar Log Home means you have a chance to work with a log builder right here in Western Pennsylvania. This is especially helpful if you are purchasing a DIY log home kit. This eliminates the worries you might have. Customers have told us it’s comforting to know they can talk to a professional who’s local. Support a Local Small Business As an independent, small business, Young’s Cedar Log Homes provides a personal touch to all their customers. We’ll provide superior customer service, plus a high-quality product. In return, you’ll get a well-crafted, American-made cedar log home. Contact us today to ask questions or get more information on our plans and layouts!

It doesn’t matter if you are building a traditional home or using a DIY log home kit, building a home means paying attention to endless details. First, you must decide where you would like to build your home. Since log homes often have large windows, consider the views when selecting your property. Then, you need to make sure you can connect to local water and utility lines. Is your goal to build off the beaten path? If yes, you might have questions about Pennsylvania zoning regulations. This guide from the Penn State Cooperative Extension is extremely helpful. Are you in the beginning stages of thinking about building your own log home? We will help you through the entire process and even give our DIY clients the opportunity to train on site with one of our veteran builders. The more research you do, the more you’ll realize why these packages are so popular. Unfortunately, the more research you do, the more questions you might have, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us so we can help you! Here are the answers to the top four questions customers ask us. 1. How does the cost of a custom cedar log home stack up post-Covid? While traditional lumber prices have skyrocketed 200-300% over the past year, the cost of cedar has only seen an 8% increase. This marks the first time in decades that building a custom cedar log home is less expensive than custom, traditional builds. 2. How does the kind of wood you use affect your house? Northern White Cedar is one of the driest woods on the stump in North America, which makes these logs lightweight and easy to build with. You won’t need a crane to set the logs since you will find an 8’ log weighing 40-50 lbs max. This means you will have both lower labor costs and an easier build. You won’t need a crane until you are setting the heavy timber roof rafters. The low moisture content also means this northern white cedar is much easier to cut through. All the material is milled and run through the planer ahead of delivery so you don’t have to worry about all the sanding and prepping that can go along with more rustic materials. 3. How will I know how to put my log package together? Our log packages come with a complete construction manual. You or your builder can follow this manual for every step of the process. 4. Does it matter if I buy a DIY log home kit from someone in another state? If you live in Western Pennsylvania, one advantage of purchasing your kit from Young’s Cedar Log Homes is that you have the opportunity to work with a log builder in Western Pennsylvania and learn the ropes. Many customers tell us they appreciate the chance to work with a builder who has specific knowledge of building a log home. Have More Questions? We love educating customers about the joys of living in a custom cedar log home. Contact us, we’re happy to help.

You’ve already crunched the numbers and know you can afford a second home. Now comes the hard part. Your current and future happiness lie in deciding what type of vacation home to build and where to build it. With the right planning, a vacation home can become your oasis, a place where you feel all the daily stress melt away as soon as you enter? Here we will explain the benefits of building a cedar log home to use as your vacation home.

All homes need upkeep, though log home maintenance is a little different than you might expect. Regular maintenance on a cedar log home is different when compared to the required maintenance of a traditional stone or vinyl home, but in a lot of ways the maintenance is much less when you build with Northern White Cedar. With a little planning and a good schedule, maintaining your luxury log home can be a breeze. Here are a few ways to keep your log home strong and beautiful year-round. Inspect your Log Home Once a Year It’s wise to perform a visual inspection at least once a year. Depending on the location of your log home, you may be subject to some issues more so than others. Building with Northern White Cedar sets you up for success as you don’t have to worry about treating your log home for pests. The U.S. Forest Service reports that wood decays faster in the southeast and on the northwestern coast than elsewhere due to high rainfall and humid weather so be sure to check each year for any issues that might need to be addressed. Clean Your Home’s Exterior Contrary to popular belief, new cedar log homes need cleaning too, not just older ones. Regular cleaning of the outside of your log home can help decrease the need for repairs later down the line. Plus, if any repairs need to be made it’s best to start with a clean surface that’s free of dirt, pollen, mold, and other grime. To properly wash the outside of your log home use a mixture of water and wood-friendly detergent. Start at the bottom of an area and gently apply the water/detergent mixture with a long-handled broom, let the soap do the work and don’t aggressively scrub. Work your way from bottom to top and in small sections to be thorough. Once done, use a low-pressure garden hose and rise from top to bottom. It’s recommended to avoid power-washing the logs as it can cause damage to the wood and stain finish. Stain and Seal Your Cedar Log Home Every log home needs a good quality stain and a topcoat. How often the process gets redone depends on where the home is located, in addition to yearly wear and tear and even the color or stain you choose. Stains and topcoats should not be applied yearly as a preventative measure; too many layers could result in peeling or chipping. Instead, you should stain and seal your log cabin about every 3 to 5 years. There are two methods you could use to check if your log home needs a stain or topcoat. The first is to take a look at your home’s exterior after rainfall or after you’ve washed it. Does the water bead away? If so, your home’s exterior is in good shape and doesn’t require a new layer of stain or topcoat. If the water darkens the wood, the previous layer of topcoat is likely gone. The second method is just as simple, and only requires a piece of masking tape. When your home’s exterior is dry, apply the piece of masking tape to one of the logs. Make sure it’s firmly stuck to the log’s surface, then pull it off. If more than 40% of the piece of tape is covered with the previous layer of stain, then it’s time to restain and reseal. Are Cedar Log Homes Right for You?  If you’re on the fence about log homes or if you have more burning questions, give us a call at 814-484-5647 or fill out our contact form here . You’ll be glad you did!