For many people, hot tubs and cedar log homes are like wine and cheese; they complement each other perfectly. Here, we’ve put together a few things to consider if you want to add a hot tub to your cedar log 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!