The best American log home manufacturer?
Which company is the best American log home manufacturer? I’m playing with an idea of representing an American log home company here in Finland. I know this is tough market, because half of world’s biggest log home companies come from Finland. Still, I believe that American rustic log homes have a suitable and distinctive style, which is hard to imitate. Log cabin rental business is growing by leaps and bounds in Lapland and rental companies need specialties to compete efficiently.
American log homes have character
That’s true, say what you will, but American log homes are one of a kind, bit like American cars - big, bulky, powerful and cool. Unfortunately, American car manufacturers are in a bit of a trouble, markets cry for efficient cars and companies can’t deliver. Let’s hope the log home industry understands to jump the energy efficiency bandwagon and doesn’t just lull itself into thinking that people will buy those dream log homes no matter what. I’m all for dreams but if we can’t afford them, then we just have to change our dreams. Anyway, back to the topic.
Local competition in Lapland
Now, here is a photo of competition. You will see this sort of new log homes and log cabins in ski resorts of Lapland. Good thing with this style is that it reads log home all over it. However, like most Finnish log homes, design is so Scandinavian that it starts to lack character. This kind of Scandinavian-styled log cabin will surely loose against rustic American log home. The victory prize is yet another happy family of overnight renters. So, any recommendations? Please, just type it down to comments.
July 11th, 2008 05:19
Noticed your post. We specialize in Cedar.
It has proven to be the best wood species for all uses in all climates. We have shipped to the UK but not to Finland. (yet!)
If you would like additional info please tour our website at www.logs.net. And please, email me with any questions.
Good luck on your search.
Regards,
Charles Knight
Colorado Cedar LogSystems, Inc.
Colorado Springs, CO USA
July 11th, 2008 23:33
Hello…love your forum, sir! Yes, you are correct in stating Americans like their log homes to be massive but now we’re starting to see more customer inquiries on less living space and how to incorporate ‘green’ technology into their homes to make them more energy efficient.
We specialize in Eastern White Pine but also offer cedar and cypress, incorporating milled logs w/ handcrafted elements to give someone a very unique home. And we’ve shipped all over the world but don’t think we’ve ever had the pleasure of sending one of our homes to Finland.
Renee Warren
Strategic Business Partner Developer for
AmerLink & In The Woods Log Homes
HQ’ed in eastern North Carolina, US
July 12th, 2008 22:13
Hello Charles,
Cedar is definitely something that would have an advantage in Europe, since Northern European manufacturers don’t produce log homes made of cedar (if they do, it’s a very special case). However, from marketing and sales point of view, consumer must be educated about the cedar. On your website you have strong statements about cedar’s superior abilities, can you point me to any research on that?
What comes to the style of your log homes, I would say that lodge-styled log homes work the best in Lapland. Recreational log homes must have certain flair to be appealing for holiday crowds. Why they pay nearly 1000 euros per week if they can’t live in the dream home? Visible roof rafters, middle floor joists and possibly purlins create wonderful atmosphere, also better have real logs and no frame-built gables etc.
Willow Creek and Lake Fork are possibly best suited models for exporting here. Please tell me, what are your shipment terms and prices? Is is possible to have real log corner instead of “Colorado Corner”? Well, I bet you don’t wish to reveal all this info in blog comments, therefore I’ll also email this for you.
Jake
July 14th, 2008 23:37
Dear Renee,
I really love your location. Should be relatively easy to ship to Europe from there. Naturally the frame and any handcrafted parts are of interest. Bulk items like roof and floor boarding we can source from here as well as windows and doors.
Models which would fit to the market include Cascade, Pebble Ridge and Washington with more modest deck system. I would like to know more about pricing, though…
It was nice from you to leave a comment. Now I’ll just do the same as with Charles there and send this to you in email too, might be more convenient to continue discussion.
Jake