I was too hasty to start publishing information about new concrete siding that imitates timber log. After more detailed scrutiny it seems that it is actually a whole concrete-made log wall element not mere siding. Now building log homes out of concrete log elements is possible. Construction process speeds up even further and costs also drop because of lower element price. One important benefit of this innovation is the fact that license for element manufacturing can be exported/imported and all manufacturing can then take place locally without massive log transporting operations.

Real logs have been used to make mold for these elements. These walls can be painted and with the real-like texture, these concrete element log homes are difficult to separate from real log homes – from distance that is… Additional benefit when compared to logs is that concrete doesn’t shrink also maintenance is minimal. The idea for the log wall element came from Taisto Lehikoinen and Ilmo Väätäinen of Pielisen Betoni was the one to realize practical product manufacturing.

Artificial sidings like vinyl slates have been much used in construction industry. These sidings usually last longer than traditional siding alternatives like wood and even stone; also artificial sidings come with lower price tag.

It is not that vinyl is such a great material, it pollutes and its lifecycle cost of is higher than with natural materials. Lower starting price and convenient use make it number one choice for many builders. Much has also been done to get vinyl sidings look just right, so that clumsy fifties and sixties style doesn’t hamper this material anymore.

Now we have a new solution for us log home lovers. Finnish company has patented a method to produce and manufacture artificial log sidings that are made of concrete. This lowers environmental impact and gives us a choice to consider while going for that log home image with that traditional timber frame building. I still need to get some more technical information on this but I will keep you posted on developments.