1. Are logs used by Miramichi Log Homes treated and graded?
Logs used by Miramichi Log Homes are made from Eastern White Cedar which is renown for it's longetivity and resistance to decay. mildew and insect infestation. White Cedar's natural inherent oils protect against mould, temperature variations, moisture, as well as insects thereby ensuring a longer life, longer than any other wood species, often even those which have been treated. Cedar contains a natural substance (called thujaplicin) that preserves the wood and helps it resist insect attack and decay (in fact this chemical is sometimes extracted and used as a food preservative). Eastern White Cedar ages especially well and endures for many years. White cedar is the most decay-resistant of all the cedars which makes it the ideal wood for log construction. Your log home will still require an exterior maintenance program to keep it beautiful and protected. Properly maintained with an exterior treatment, the benefits are permanent.

In addition, logs used by Miramichi Log Homes meet stringent grading requirements and as a result there is a 20 year warranty on all manufactured wood products, with windows, doors, asphalt roof shingles etc., covered by manufacturers' standard warranties. This helps ensure the integrity of your home, and also may be extremely important to you in obtaining building permits.


2. Are Miramichi Log Home components kiln-dried?
Our logs are not kiln-dried. We feel it is far more important to have a natural log than a kiln-dried log. Eastern White Cedar is a very stable wood and will resist warping and shrinking better than most. Also, the wood's cellular structure allows for interior air spaces. This makes it an excellent insulation both for heat and sound. This cellular structure also makes the wood relatively light, so installation and handling are simple. Together, these attributes make Eastern White Cedar the preferred material for all outdoor applications, and perfect for the high quality products produced by Miramichi Log Homes. Our logs 'season' in place. This process, in combination with our "Triple Seal" joinery system, allows your new home to settle naturally, thus eliminating the need for chinking, reducing the amount of checking in the wood, and producing an extremely weather-tight home.

If you stop to think about it, kiln-dried sounds great as a marketing tool, but the amount of dryness and similar related claims are of suspect value with a big timber wall log. Miramichi Log Homes acknowleges what even the finest log handcrafters have known all along: logs absorb moisture and humidity and must be allowed to settle naturally. So, as soon as a log is removed from a kiln, the log will begin to absorb any moisture in the air and reach a new equilibrium with the moisture content around it. In order for the kiln drying to have maximum effect, you must receive the logs, completely build your house, then stain and seal it, all before the logs have any exposure to rain or humidity, and with our weather - good luck!


3. Do White Cedar homes require a lot of maintenance?
Maintaining a white cedar log or timber crafted home is much less difficult to preserve than any other wood siding home using a pine or red cedar product. White cedar does not have knots that will bleed or decay like pine products. The only protection you will need is a stain to keep our product from turning a grey color from ultra violet light.

There are many good stain choices that can be used and will need to be renewed periodically depending on how much sun light the walls are exposed to. A quick check is to spray water on the surface and look for discoloring. If the water beads, the finish is still providing protection.


4. Do Miramichi Log Homes built home and cottage packages come with a warranty?
Every dwelling constructed by Miramichi Log Homes is supported by our over 20 years of reputable service, and every constructed building comes with a 20-year warranty on all manufactured wood products, with windows and doors, asphalt roof shingles etc., covered by manufacturers' standard warranties.


5. How will I maintain the exterior of my Miramichi Log Homes-built home?
All our pre-cut logs are eastern white cedar which has a proven resistance to decay and insects and is one of the most attractive and stable materials used to build log homes. We also take great care in the bundling, delivery and construction of your log home so that once completed, looks great. However, in order to maintain the long-term beauty and protection of your home after construction, the natural wood structure must be protected by periodic applications of a high-quality exterior finish. The frequency of application will vary due to your site and its environmental exposures, as well as the products you choose. We will work closely with you in recommending ideal materials and treatment procedures for a proper maintenance program.

The explosive growth of the log home industry has given birth to several fine companies that specialize in products formulated for log home maintenance. With the use of reputable products and a conscientious maintenance program, you can be assured that your home will retain its lasting appeal and value. Your Miramichi Log Home Representative can provide further information and advice on these products.


6. Miramichi Log Homes buildings sound great. How do I get started?
It’s easy. First contact Miramichi Log Homes by telephone, fax or E-Mail for further information.

Your Miramichi Log Home Representative will be pleased to help arrange a visit to a model or a sample home. Our Representatives are there to offer all assistance possible regarding your homebuilding experience — space needs, design ideas, budget, financing, and construction.


7. The building process seems very complicated. How do I get started?
The thing to remember about building your new log home is that you don't have to go it alone in the process. You can depend on the experience and assistance of your Miramichi Log Homes Representative. This trained professional will assist you through your custom-planning stages, during construction, and after you move in.


8. What is involved in 'customizing' my home, or adding to the design?
Each of us has our own dream of what the perfect log home looks like and what floorplan best suits our needs. Creating that special log home is not hard at all. You come up with the idea - our design specialists will work it into the actual plans.

A. Start by selecting a basic home style and size from a collection of our most popular designs. B. Add a wing, attached garage, large deck....vary window layouts, open or close space by adding or increasing rooms/room size... and more. Once finished, we will provide you with a price for your now-customized log home. Bottom line is that we will work with you during the entire design and construction process.


9. What comes with my Miramichi Log Homes construction package?
We offer a complete construction package. We can complete your log home, according to your specifications, from start to full completion, including complete interior finishing. We do not offer 'Kits" where you must shop around for construction firms and the many sub-contractors and tradesmen that are involved in "do-it-yourself" building kit packages. We sit down with you and carefully explain all the steps involved and approximate time frames involved to the point where you can move in!


10. Will banks finance my Miramichi Log Homes Log Home?
The explosion in popularity of log homes has eased financial acceptance. Our Representatives can connect you with financial institutions in your area that are ready and willing to finance your new log home. This applies to the construction financing as well as to the permanent mortgage.


11. Will I need a special foundation for my log home?
Your Miramichi Log Home can be built on a variety of standard full or crawl-space foundations or on a concrete slab, whichever suits you best. An ideal foundation plan, along with the framing plans, will be discussed with you as part of the planning and options decision stages for your new home.


12. Will my constructed log home cost more than a “stick-built” or pre-engineered home?
As a general rule, a quality log home will cost about the same as a quality “stick-built” home, providing the same specifications and building components are used. However, when you are finished, you will own something decidedly different...a log home that is warm, unique, and full of character. It will simply appear to be far more expensive.

The only factor that tends to make log homes go up in price is that our customers don’t often build a log home with intentions to re-sell. They build their dream home to stay in forever. With that in mind, they are inclined to include more amenities for a lifetime of enjoyment in their home.


13. What do you mean by “Pre-cut” and how much pre-cutting do you do?
Our homes include 100% pre-cutting of all log walls, including complete angle cutting of all full log gable ends (lofted models) Engineered truss roof systems are used on all our homes, giving exceptional energy efficiency and structural stability. All of our proven brand-name components ensure the very best in quality.


14. Am I limited to 'standard' floor plans?
When it comes to designing your new log home, you are limited only by your imagination and your budget. We can create a home from standard floor plans and incorporate your specific plans and desires. Your Miramichi Log Homes Representative can help you translate your ideas into an attractive and functional design that fits your unique needs. Your custom plans will be designed to meet or exceed building codes by our professional design staff using the latest drafting techniques.


15. How long have you been in business?
We have over 20 years construction experience and offer a wide range of log home and cottage models. Considering the number of models and the variations and customization you may wish, the actual number of home typwes is uncountable! Remember your warranty is only as good as the company supporting it.

16. Where can I see some of your products?
We take pride in our ability to build quality homes and have satisfied customers. If you are interested in seeing our products contact us and we will arrange for you to see an 'in progress' or completed home.