What Makes Log Homes So Durable

Your home regularly faces a number of foes — moisture, sun, pests, to name a few. It may even have to endure extreme weather-related events from time to time, such as earthquakes or tornadoes. Thankfully, log homes have a track record for standing up to the worst that Mother Nature can throw at them. (Father Time is no match either: A log home, built in 1638, is one of the oldest homes in the U.S.) So what makes log homes perform with such durability? It’s a dual combination of the materials and methods used to build them.

Materials Matter

While log homes have a general reputation for lasting from one generation to the next, not all log homes are created equal. After all, a log home is only as good as the materials used to build it. That’s why Ward Cedar Log Homes uses only the heartwood of northern white cedar, which is inherently rot- and insect-resistant, in our homes. Additionally, we never rush the drying process with the use of a kiln. We take the time to naturally air dry our logs and timbers, resulting in a product that is less prone to shrinking, cracking, and warping. These structurally solid logs and timbers withstand the elements, including freezing temperatures and high winds.

Take note: If a log cabin isn’t your dream, but you’re in the market for a timber or hybrid home, we use the same northern white cedar for our log siding and timbers. This means you’ll get the same high level of durability no matter what type of Ward home you choose.

Methods Make the Difference

In the same way that materials impact the durability of your home, so does the manner in which they are put together. Once upon a time, log homes were known for being drafty. This is because changes in the environment would cause the logs to expand and contract, creating cracks that would leave the home susceptible to drafts, water and pests.

Thankfully, we’ve created a method for joining the logs that creates an impenetrable barrier against the elements. The Ward Cedar Comfort System-5™ log system ensures a weather-tight seal and plays a significant role in making your Ward home so durable. (Read more about the tongue and groove joinery, foam barrier and exterior caulking that goes into our superior construction system here.

Additionally, we mill our cedar logs with a D-shaped profile to help guarantee longevity. The logs are cut with a curved lip (known as a drip edge) that directs water away from your home, rather than allowing it to settle and soak into the logs underneath. Without the intrusion of moisture and pests, your Ward home can last a lifetime. In fact, we’re so sure of our product, that we offer a 20-year warranty that covers our logs against structural defects.

If you are ready to build a log home that is sure to last, start with a company that has been employing quality building materials and methods for the past 99 years. With Ward, your log, timber or hybrid home will be constructed the same way we’ve been building homes for happy customers for nearly a century.

If you’re ready to start discussing your ideas for your log home or cabin, reach out to our team today. We are ready to help you live your best life in a log or timber home today … and long into the future.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for inspiration, events, tips and more!