January 2017 Blog Posts (21)

When selecting the size, shape and look of the logs, the log home buyer is spoiled for choice. Here’s how to navigate your options.

So now that you know the timber options from which to choose, how do you turn this raw material into a home?

First you need to choose whether you want the look of a milled or handcrafted home. The primary differences here are the size and uniformity of the logs and the technique used to prepare them.

Handcrafted logs…

When selecting the size, shape and look of the logs, the log home buyer is spoiled for choice. Here’s how to navigate your options.

So now that you know the timber options from which to choose, how do you turn this raw material into a home?

First you need to choose whether you want the look of a milled or handcrafted home. The primary differences here are the size and uniformity of the logs and the technique used to prepare them.

Handcrafted logs…

A North Carolina couple shares lessons learned while building a mountain dream home that incorporates dreams and needs for present and future enjoyment, allowing them to stay in the home for the rest of their lives. See the complete gallery HERE.

By Claudia Johnson,…

Smart pre-planning and diligent weekend work helped this Tennessee couple build their dream log cabin in under six months.

Having construction know-how doesn’t just provide the obvious cost savings of being able to serve as your own builder-- it can also help you get your home erected and ready to move into in under six months.

That was the timeline provided to Pat and Carion Markland for creating their log cabin in…

by Jeff Clements, Vice President, Honest Abe Log Homes

Honest Abe takes the issue of timber harvesting and the threat of deforestation related to building materials used in the manufacture of log homes very seriously. The great news is, according to the USDA Department of Forestry, as a country our forest land is growing at a faster pace than it is being…

How you light your interior spaces can make or break your log home's overall feel. But with so many options to choose from, deciding on the right log home lighting can be an overwhelming task.

How you light your interior spaces can make or break your log home’s overall feel. But with so many options to choose from, finding the right light can be an overwhelming task,…

While looking at the yard, you see that there are toys and gardening tools that don't seem to have a place to go so that they are out of the way. A shed is an ideal solution that will give you extra storage for all of the things that seem to clutter the yard. You can often get a shed that matches the same design of the home, such as one that has siding or one that has…

Historic Restoration/ Carpentry/ Log Construction/ Masonry



We are a company that dismantles tobacco barns and transforms them into homes. We do historic restoration work as well as remodeling, custom plans, new construction and many other styles of professional based construction. We construct handmade custom furniture too. 

Looking for carpenters, log builders, experienced tradesmen, laborers, craftsman, furniture builders, wood…

If you’re applying for financing to build your log home, here’s what you can expect on the lending horizon.

Most log home buyers finance their purchase. The tax write-off alone makes getting a mortgage enticing even for those rare few who can pay cash. But how do you determine how much house you can afford, and how much of that will come from the bank?

When you’re ready to buy your log home, calculate your target budget by adding your assets and how…

Meals just seem to taste better when they are served in a beautiful setting--like the dining room of your log home. From cozy to dramatic, here are five of our favorite log home dining rooms. Be sure to click on the image to see more photos and learn more about these stunning homes.

1. Big Sky Wonder.…

Honest Abe Log Homes wants to inform and inspire anyone who's looking to build log and timber frame home. That's why events and activities are planned throughout the year to give wood home enthusiasts the chance to learn more about products, plans and procedures as well as visit a variety of types of wood homes.…

In addition to its superior good looks, a log building system works a little differently than conventional construction. Here’s how.

Most houses’ weight is supported vertically, but a log home’s structural support comes horizontally, with the load of the house and its components resting almost entirely on its perimeter log walls. It’s critical that they be built to precision. This is known as the joinery system.

The load-bearing surfaces that touch are…

The January-February 2017 edition of Honest Abe Living showcases a custom home in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley built to accommodate the trophies of a big game hunter. Honest Abe Log Homes’ co-owner writes about the loss of the Smith family’s vacation home in the Gatlinburg wildfires and extends an offer to help…

A builder/dealer may be your main link to your log home producer.

When the modern log home industry was starting in the 1970s, many manufacturers found that a successful way to reach new clients was to enlist satisfied customers as sales representatives. These ambassadors of the log home lifestyle approached the work as a sideline or hobby and received little or no training.

Over time, some turned their avocation into a livelihood; others became general…

A sampling of popular log home wood species and their attributes.

Northern White Cedar

Area harvested: Maine and Great Lakes states Heartwood colors: Light to medium or straw brown Sapwood colors: Nearly white Weight*: Light Heartwood decay resistance: Resistant

Bald Cypress (Red & Yellow)

Area harvested: Southern states and South…

What should you look for when you’re shopping for land for your log home site? These five tips will help you narrow the field.

1. Stick with Your Passion

When you begin planning, never cut those pastimes short. “Your interests should dictate 90 percent of your decision,” says John Ricketson, a project manager with Hearthstone, Inc. “You want to be in a region close to the activities you like, whether it’s skiing, fishing, hunting or hiking.”…

A majestic hybrid log home fulfills one family’s dreams of lazy days lounging by the water.

Story by Suzanna Logan | Photography by Joseph Hilliard

Along a wooded peninsula high above the gentle twists and turns of Wisconsin's Eagle River — about 100 feet above to be exact — a bald eagle's nest rests precariously in a pine tree.

“The nests can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and are hanging from branches the size of your arm,” says Mike Manske, who has…

The idea of living without electricity, cable, and a white picket fence is horrifying for many people. Modern homeowners are so accustomed to modern convenience culture that when there’s a minor power outage, they panic. No lights. No TV. What are they supposed to do? Spending the night without the Internet is like spending the night in a prehistoric cave. In fact, chances are back-to-the-land living…

As homeowners add or upgrade the home, each dollar spent requires a thorough evaluation. Before a splurge, decide whether it's smart to include these investments long-term. During the for-sale period, these pleasures may backfire when buyers view the home. It may sell eventually, but gaining a profit is rare. To avoid a loss, invest only in improvements that gain…